I've been a RWD volvo owner now for 15 years and my sons current driver is a 1993 940 wagon, Regina, 350k miles. This has been just an amazing car and it still starts every day (0degrees this morning) and drives wonderfully.

24 midwest winters however are starting to show especially the bottoms of the doors, and the edges of the hood. I'm thinking come spring it will start to look pretty rough.

I got an email yesterday from my mom in Colorado saying her neighbor is selling their 1-owner 2001 V70 FWD wagon. 125,000 miles. Sweet leather interior. All service performed at Volvo its entire life. No rust whatsoever. She wants to get $1200 for the car.

I am quite attached to our 940, we've traveled the country in it, brought our babies home from the hospital in it. Lots of memories.

I can repair the 940 pretty much blindfolded, I have no idea what I'm getting into with the V70.

Look forward to thoughts on this dilemma. Will my 15" rims and snow tires from the 940 fit onto the V70??

Thanks,
Matt

hello, I've had 240's since 1988, loved them! I switched to a 1999 V70 T5 five years ago, love the performance. Replaced the ETM, no issues since. More electronics to deal with, and that PCV system, a PITA, sorry to give negative comments, but it's not for the faintof heart, you must be mechanically inclined. The interior plastic is the worst, the dash on this models are known issues, broken mounting tabs, rattling, squeaking.

Although I don't have much experience with the V70, I have gone from working on strictly redblock 240s to the 24 valve DOHC I6 on the 960/S/V90 cars, and it is quite a difference.


You will find the V70 is a completely different animal than the 940. It has a modern DOHC cam interference engine with ETM which is much more complicated to work on than the 940. It will be less forgiving of lax maintenance practices, and even something as simple as removing the cam cover is a major job. A failed timing belt will likely mean an engine rebuild. You will find less convenient underhood access to all components and will probably need to expand your tool collection somewhat to maintain it. I have heard horror stories with the electronic throttle unit in pre 2003 S/V/XC70 and S60 cars, but can't speak from experience.

The FWD platform is obviously completely different, and you will have to learn a new set of skills to deal with the issues unique to FWD. CV axles and the like.

I am not sure if the tires and wheels from the 940 will fit. I know late model 960s and S/V90s were built with wheels that did fit some FWD platforms, at least on the S60 series cars.

Electronic throttle unit also known as electronic throttle module or ETM was problematic in some of the early years of the V70. The switch was made from a cable driven throttle to the ETM in the first generation V70 in model year 1999. I believe the issue was fixed before MY 2003. The worst year probably was 2001. Due to time and mileage, most have probably been replaced by now. There should be a sticker on the unit under the hood if it has been replaced.

Do note this doesn't happen to all V70's from 1999-2002. Both my Dad and a friend of mine owned 2001 V70's (friend still does) and neither has had to replace the ETM.

http://www.wheelfitment.net/volvo

I don't think the 940 wheels will fit.

For $1200, I'd probably buy it and learn to deal!