I've been an avid VW and Porche owner all my life and recently got asked by my brother in law to help my 23 year old niece buy a car. My brother in law is living in the UK and unable to help with the car search.

To make a long story short with a budget of only $1,200 available from this recently college graduate we came across a '90 740 Wagon with 235K on it. Normally, based on mileage alone I would have passed immediately even knowing the legendary longevity of Volvo's.

The car and the owner were awesome. Hours of blow by blow discussion with this fellow weekend mechanic and I had me feeling pretty comfortable not to mention the motor compartment looked very uncomplicated. This owner is to Volvos as I am to VW's. We're both avid family mechanics who keep our cars running safely and for long periods of time when most cars are worn out (my '93 Passat has 210K).

Anyway....

All seemed fine with the test drive with one exception. The car sounded like it had studded snow tires on it (which it doesn't)!! This was not a subtle purr of a rear end noise. No. Rather it seemed to me to be a calamity of noise coming from the rear I'd describe as a speed variable harmonic hellacious howl. When I asked the owner what was up with that he said it was normal rear pinion gear to planetary gear wear for a Volvo with that many miles on it. He seemed unconcerned and completely used to the noise. It's been a while since I wrenched on a rear wheel drive car but wow! I've never heard anything like that racket!

Three questions:

1.
Does anyone else owning a similar wagon believe this is normal?

2.
Is it likely the rear end will need to be taken apart soon replacing axles, seals, pinion gear, etc?

3.
Should we just pass on this vehicle and keep looking?

Any guidance would be _*greatly*_ appreciated!

ZuluBob