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As you can tell, opinions here vary widely, and it's important to point out (as I always do) that all are mostly opinions, not based on the entire population of 960 model year cars or even an adequate sample. 960fan, for example, has suggested some pretty strict standards of maintenace with respect to the timing belt, that I don't think anyone has or will follow. Most BBsters will follow a reaonable program of car maintenance (one reason why I think Volvo cars last so long), and many will exercise preventive maintenance, some of which others might believe to be too proactive, e.g. changing out the water pump just because you're in there. Good maintenace does require vigilant monitoring, and there are some items where this makes sense to me. On my 92 960 (now at 106K), I changed out the cam tensioner when I did the 100K timing belt change. It wasn't leaking, but IMO it was a reasonable change that directly affects the timing belt. We have heard from a participant that had the serpintine belt shred on his/her 960, that then damaged the timing belt resulting in engine destruction. Lesson for me: make sure you monitor and change the serpintine at recommended internals. Will I change it out because "I'm in there"?....no.
On the other hand I am religious about timing belt, oil, tune-up etc. intervals that are described in the maintenance schedule. I may be unaware of others, but I don't spend anywhere near $2500 a year on maintenance..maybe $500, but I don't think so. Besides, if you do the math, for say a 8 (or 6) year maintenance schedule, @ $2500/year a versus $12,000 for a new engine, the recommendation should be to wait and see... Engine failure would have to occur within 5 years of ownership for this to make economic sense. At that rate, we should be closing up the 900 series forum any day now...(save for those 940s that never fail). I do tend to fall on the side of owners who will follow the prescribed maintenance and when something fails, you fix it.
960fan makes valid points with regard to what I understand about the engine complexity, but that model did not end because they decided it was too complex for a 'family car' (I think I've seen BMWs used as family cars). They dropped it because it was a RWD and Volvo was making the switch to FWD cars. It was the last model to do so. The basic engine actually lives on in every Volvo now made, with obvious and updated execptions, from what I've been told.
Have fun with your 960..it's a great car (in my opinin, of cours).
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John Shatzer, '97 V90 @ 92K; 92 965 @ 106K
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