Any Opinion on a Volvo V70 Wagon? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

stevenstevensteven · #1 04-13-2012, 03:55 PM

Been thinking about adding a wagon to our car family with No.2 on the way, something like a '95 124. However, a recently saw an early 2000's Volvo V70 and was very impressed with the internal room and overall styling. Before I start doing a bunch of research, I thought it would be wise to get some input from knowledgeable merc owners. So, any thought would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Zacharias · #2 04-13-2012, 04:01 PM

The later into the 2000s the better, try to avoid 2001 and 2002 MY. They got better with each year. This is especially true if you are considering an XC. You'll probably find that the resale values -- and number of cars on the market -- reflect that.

Expensive electrical bits. They use a networked electrical system that was groundbreaking in its time, whereby there are mini-computer modules around the car but very little wiring. I am not an expert but here is how I understand it: Each box gets every command but the commands are coded so that only the destination box 'understands' it. When you hit mist on the front wipers, the rear-door module also receives the command but does nothing with it.

It seems to function well on later MYs, but early cars can be brutal. The modules are VIN-range-specific and some/all need to be programmed by dealer prior to install. When a module goes everything associated with it (controls on a door, entire instrument binnacle, etc.) ceases to function.

Very sturdy cars and extremely comfortable seats. Parts in general much pricier than a w124 but probably on par with w210 and later Mercedes. Suspension bits will wear out faster than you are used to on a Mercedes (x2 that for XCs).

You will need to hang out on the Volvo forums and learn where to shop for parts. Big variances, even between suppliers on reputable OEM stuff.

suginami · #3 04-13-2012, 04:08 PM

What year is the V70?

The 1998-2000 V70's were bullet-proof.

We have a 2000 S70 with 135,000 miles, and it has been the most trouble free car we've ever owned.

We also have a 2002 V70 XC with 158,000 miles. It hasn't been a bad car, but model year 2001-2002 V70's have transmissions with a high failure rate. The valve bodies and software were upgraded repeatedly, and by model year 2003, the transmissions were fine.

If you get a 2001-2002, budget $2,500 for a rebuilt transmission. It will fail.

TylerH860 · #4 04-13-2012, 04:10 PM

They are neat cars, have alot going for them comfort, looks, and speed wise, but they are mechanic or parts cost friendly, nor are they very durable.

I would try to find a 1998 Volvo V90. Last year of the 24valve inline 6 rear wheel drive. Pretty much invincible, simple, fast, economical, comfortable.

stevenstevensteven · #5 04-13-2012, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suginami

What year is the V70?.

I am wide open on year. Last Volvo wagon I owned was a 1981 4-cyl with a 4-sp manual, and it was not only fast, but pretty much indestructable. I do like the late 90's body style, befor they started shrinking the car in the 2000's. But overall, reliability and safety are most important.

suginami · #6 04-13-2012, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevenstevensteven

I am wide open on year. Last Volvo wagon I owned was a 1981 4-cyl with a 4-sp manual, and it was not only fast, but pretty much indestructable. I do like the late 90's body style, befor they started shrinking the car in the 2000's. But overall, reliability and safety are most important.

It depends on what your budget is.

If you have the money, you can go with 2003 and newer V70's.

If you're on a budget, 1998 to 2000 V70's are still really nice cars.

Like I said, our 2000 S70 has been bulletproof, and I have no plans on selling it...ever.

Hogweed · #7 04-13-2012, 04:51 PM

i paid 800 for a '98 v70 turbo wagon, and drive it all the time. my friend is actually using now b/c his 850 wagon can't stop w/ the check engine light and isn't worth fixing. ignition switches seem to be a strange item on these v70's. i just had to replace the heater core on ours.....$44 shipped for a new one, and a 2 hour job really taking my time!! you can do the driver side axle shaft in 30 minutes....no kidding....you don't even take the caliper off the rotor

sick easy to work on, in my opinion and fcp groton has dirt cheap parts

stevenstevensteven · #8 04-13-2012, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suginami

It depends on what your budget is.

If you have the money, you can go with 2003 and newer V70's.

If you're on a budget, 1998 to 2000 V70's are still really nice cars.

Like I said, our 2000 S70 has been bulletproof, and I have no plans on selling it...ever.

Probably willing to spend $7500, but would go to $10k if found special car.

suginami · #9 04-13-2012, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevenstevensteven

Probably willing to spend $7500, but would go to $10k if found special car.

Then I don't think you'll have any trouble finding a nice 2003 and newer V70. In 2004 the instrument cluster was slightly upgraded. It has chrome rings around the gauges.

That said, the previous generation V70 has a very handsome interior that ages well. I'd compare it to a W124 vs. the W210 chassis. There are some that believe the previous generation has a higher quality interior than the 2001 and newer models.

The perfect car might be a 2000 V70 with fairly low miles in pristine condition from an owner who has meticulous records.

joegolden · #10 04-13-2012, 08:33 PM

I have driven a 1996 850 turbo wagon that I bought at auction in 2009 for $1100 that was beautiful with Michelins, cold air, and a good headgasket. It had a CEL on and the service light which scared people away. The odo was stuck at 100k so hoo knows how many miles it had. I think it was pretty close tho. I replaced the air mass sensor with a used one for $100 and that cured the CEL. the service light was just reminder for oil change. The car was straight and clean but had a thousand rattles inside. I sold it a yr later for $2800.

I also bought a new 1998 s70 in 1999 that was leftover and discounted because it was a base car with hubcaps and cloth. It was a solid car and dead reliable with the exception of the growl of the non turbo 5 cyl. I could always feels the revs vibrate thru the steering wheel even when it was brand new. it also had a moldy a/c problem I battled with until we traded it for a 2002 v70 wagon. The 98 had under 40k miles on it when we traded.

The 2002 v70 was awesome. They smoothed out the 5 cvl vibration i had on the 98 and the car would cruise effortlessly at 90-100mph. We commuted back and forth from Augusta Ga to Atlanta frequently and that is a long flat isolated no mans land between. I could set the cruise for 2 hrs at 80 mph and still get 26-27mpg. It was non turbo but the 5 spd automatic made good use of the 168 odd something HP. We kept that car until 2007 and it had 92k miles on it when I traded. I only had to replace the gas filler door, a faulty power door lock, charged the a/c that last summer we owned it. It did not suffer from lumpy idle or software issues that I heard so many complain about. I also had zero tranny problems but from what I could remember that trans case was closed and not serviceable. Failure had to be promised at some point or another. The taupe leather interior did not hold up to well tho. However we had our first child with that car and hauled a springer spaniel with us often. I would say we were pretty hard on it. i think we paid $36k for it new and they allowed us $10k on trade. An aquaintance actually bought it from the dealer I traded it to almost a year later for $7500. They are still driving it today. Not sure if the tranny ever went.

I see alot of these cars on CL and eBay with bad trannys and warped heads/head gaskets so do your homework. For me I would love to have the 850 turbo back.

that car would fly and was cheeeeeep!

stevenstevensteven · #11 04-14-2012, 05:36 PM

ok, I'm getting excited. Thanks for all the input so far. Time for me to do some homework, starting with the model-year to target

bipolardave · #12 04-14-2012, 06:24 PM

I realize that you're on the left coast, but here's a link a used Volvo only dealership in upstate NY. I think the prices are a little on the high side, but they sell top notch examples.

Although he currently doesn't have any V70s in your year range, keep checking to see how far your money can go.

Ithaca Foreign Car Service :: Car Inventory

stevenstevensteven · #13 04-14-2012, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bipolardave

I realize that you're on the left coast, but here's a link a used Volvo only dealership in upstate NY. I think the prices are a little on the high side, but they sell top notch examples.

Although he currently doesn't have any V70s in your year range, keep checking to see how far your money can go.

Ithaca Foreign Car Service :: Car Inventory

Thank you.

The 2005 V70 MSR looks very nice.

Yak · #14 04-14-2012, 11:19 PM

Check the model year against complaints or issues with the ETM, find out if it was replaced under the extended warranty.

They can be cleaned, and there's a non-OE replacement that's supposed to fix the problem for good.

vandor · #15 04-20-2012, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suginami

What year is the V70?

The 1998-2000 V70's were bullet-proof.

Ugh. I beg to differ. I am a Volvo guy, had a lot of RWD Volvos, and currently own a '98 V70. Door lock motors commonly fail. ABS modules commonly fail. Motor mounts commonly fail. Rear suspension bushing commonly fail. Doorpanels fall apart. A switch in the transmission often fails, leaving it in limp-home mode. My fuel pump relay failed, leaving me stranded.
From my research, do not get anything older than 2004.
I guess the upside is that there are a lot of them in salvage yards, so some parts are relatively cheap.

Csaba