Faithful oil/filter changes per schedule by Volvo auth. retailer (and double the schedule in winter months) and at 214k km she's burning oil. Down 1/2 litre on about 4000km, but the situation seems to be worsening.

Quick look by a former dealer revealed a pcv system full of oil and burned oil residue lining the intake manifold. Concluded "probable blow-by from piston rings". Maybe the current burn rate isn't much of a worry but what about a pcv full of oil? They cleaned it up, popped in a new flame trap and gestured toward the new car showroom. Promised to deliver some ballpark estimates on ring jobs, valve jobs, rebuilt engine, etc.

Any wagers on what the cause is? Best case? Worst case? Lots of head-removal-requiring-problems (valves, rings, etc) covered in previous posts here. Not sure yet if I'll take it to an indie or a Volvo dealer for detailed diagnosis/ repair estimate. Maybe to Volvo for diagnosis and to both for repair estimate.

Still great to drive and almost always the best looking car in the lot.