XC70 - potentially a money pit?

[Jader1973]

Hello,

Man maths is pushing me towards getting a car for weekend family duties. I don't really need one, but having something I don't have to be too precious about appeals for dog hauling/weekend exploring etc.

Despite not liking SUVs I am slowly beginning to see the appeal, and am drawn towards the XC70. However, I believe they have a drivetrain made by Cadbury's and are full blown chocaholics. (friends of our bought a used one and it took a couple of weeks to arrive because while the dealer was driving it back from its MOT it ate the gearbox).

I'd look for FSH anyway, but the budget only stretches to about 2006 cars by the look of it.

Here are a few that are within budget so you can see what I'm potentially looking at.

http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Volvo-XC...

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Volvo-X...

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Volvo-X...

So, is/are there any particular year/years to avoid? Are there things that should be done at certain mileages like cambelts etc?


Thanks.

[the_lone_wolf]

Jader1973 said:

Despite not liking SUVs I am slowly beginning to see the appeal, and am drawn towards the XC70. However, I believe they have a drivetrain made by Cadbury's

Actually it's made by Haldex, who have provided drivetrains for Acura, Alfa-Romeo, AMC, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Bugatti, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Citroen, Dacia, Daihatsu, Dodge, Fiat, Ford (Europe & USA), GMC, Holden, Honda, Hummer, Hyundai, Isuzu, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Lada, Laforza, Lamborghini, Lancia, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercedes, MG, Mini, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Panther, Peugeot, Pontiac, Porsche, Range Rover, Renault, Saab, Seat, Skoda, Subaru, Suzuki Toyota, Vauxhall, Volkswagen in addition to Volvo

I think if they were made of confectionery it'd have been noted by now...

Or to put it another way, no, there's nothing wrong with the Haldex 4x4 system in the Phase II XC70 - you might find issues with the well documented decision by Volvo to label the AW automatic gearbox as "sealed for life" when what they meant was "sealed for warranty period"

Again, the box was a phone in from Aisin AW that was fitted to dozens of models from different manufacturers, without any issue provided they were maintained

If there's no drivetrain issues when you buy it, and you replace the auto-box fluid every 100k or so, you'll have no issues for the life of the car

If your budget can stand it the last of the Phase II models, MY2007, was fitted with Gen III Haldex, big difference being that earlier models required wheel slip (approx 1/16 of a full turn) before the 4x4 system could engage, Gen III was able to pre-tension the clutch in anticipation of slip

Edit to add: Engine timing belt should have been done at 96,000m - if done by a genuine Volvo dealer there should be a sticker on the engine cover

Edited by the_lone_wolf on Sunday 24th January 23:26

[Jader1973]

the_lone_wolf said:

Or to put it another way, no, there's nothing wrong with the Haldex 4x4 system in the Phase II XC70 - you might find issues with the well documented decision by Volvo to label the AW automatic gearbox as "sealed for life" when what they meant was "sealed for warranty period"

Again, the box was a phone in from Aisin AW that was fitted to dozens of models from different manufacturers, without any issue provided they were maintained

If there's no drivetrain issues when you buy it, and you replace the auto-box fluid every 100k or so, you'll have no issues for the life of the car

Edited by the_lone_wolf on Sunday 24th January 23:26

Good info, thanks.

Sounds like the AT is the same as every other "sealed for life" unit

I've done some searching since posting and general advice appears to be avoid early models because they suffer from issues with trans solenoids. So look like a 2004 on is the go, which is good because they are in budget.

[the_lone_wolf]

Jader1973 said:

Good info, thanks.

Sounds like the AT is the same as every other "sealed for life" unit

I've done some searching since posting and general advice appears to be avoid early models because they suffer from issues with trans solenoids. So look like a 2004 on is the go, which is good because they are in budget.

No worries

The advice for the XC is the same for just about any Volvo, buy the latest you can afford from each generation, in the XC case they ran 2000-2007 before the Phase III models came in

Earlier models with the earlier generations of Haldex 4x4 system were far more sensitive to things like mis-matched tyre sizes or even uneven wear, should be sorted by 2004...

If you've not found it already get on over to the Volvo Owners Club forums, it's not exactly a fast paced community but there's lots of very useful advice

[DSLiverpool]

I bought a late 2005 XC70 in October, its gearbox was broken but the cost reflected this, it had done 86k and towed a caravan a lot. It cost £600 for the valve chest.
Cam belt needed doing no issue with that but the steering rack wears on them and is not so much ££ for rack its a bugger to fit.
Do a google search as the issues are common I will add I am very fond of my car as it has the family pack seats, the rough engine (163) is ok on the move and its very comfy.

[S10GTA]

The chocolate drivetrain is in reference to the early Viscous Coupling awd system, like on my 2001 xc70. They are made of chocolate, I know this as mine is broken.

[PomBstard]

Jader1973 said:

Hello,

Man maths is pushing me towards getting a car for weekend family duties. I don't really need one, but having something I don't have to be too precious about appeals for dog hauling/weekend exploring etc.

Despite not liking SUVs I am slowly beginning to see the appeal, and am drawn towards the XC70. However, I believe they have a drivetrain made by Cadbury's and are full blown chocaholics. (friends of our bought a used one and it took a couple of weeks to arrive because while the dealer was driving it back from its MOT it ate the gearbox).

I'd look for FSH anyway, but the budget only stretches to about 2006 cars by the look of it.

Here are a few that are within budget so you can see what I'm potentially looking at.

http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Volvo-XC...

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Volvo-X...

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Volvo-X...

So, is/are there any particular year/years to avoid? Are there things that should be done at certain mileages like cambelts etc?


Thanks.

Couldn't interest you in upping the budget for a 2008 V70 T6 in Sydney...??? Special PH Price available...

[PomBstard]

Actually, what I should have said, from experience in this country, is buy a Subaru instead. Just better suited to Aus and better supply of parts/repairs. Its one of the reasons I'm selling the V70.

A decent 3.0 Outback should be well within your budget. In fact, I know of a 2 owner-from-new, FSH, 2002 3.0 Outback for sale for well within your budget - drop me a note if you're interested.

[Jader1973]

PomBstard said:

Actually, what I should have said, from experience in this country, is buy a Subaru instead. Just better suited to Aus and better supply of parts/repairs. Its one of the reasons I'm selling the V70.

A decent 3.0 Outback should be well within your budget. In fact, I know of a 2 owner-from-new, FSH, 2002 3.0 Outback for sale for well within your budget - drop me a note if you're interested.

Outback is on the radar too tbh. Seems to be a lot more choice, and as you say better suited to here given they are everywhere.

I'd be looking at something newer than 2002, the one that ran from 2004 on. Thanks for the offer though.

[BarnFind]

Just bought a 2007 xc 70,109,000 miles,gearbox already on the way out,just about to waste $500 yoyoo's on a oil change to see if that helps.sem electric thingy has gone and been badly electrically bodged another $500 to fix,exhaust hanger rusted so new exhaust but I think there may be a repair kit I hope,nice ride otherwise,oh steering rack on the way out too

[DSLiverpool]

BarnFind said:

Just bought a 2007 xc 70,109,000 miles,gearbox already on the way out,just about to waste $500 yoyoo's on a oil change to see if that helps.sem electric thingy has gone and been badly electrically bodged another $500 to fix,exhaust hanger rusted so new exhaust but I think there may be a repair kit I hope,nice ride otherwise,oh steering rack on the way out too

Cam belt ?

[BarnFind]

DSLiverpool said:

Cam belt ?

I've just done the belts and pumps.I am about to put another oil cooler rad. on the gearbox,its a heat issue with the Asin box so hoping this will help.having had the same issues with the Asin box before i'd strongly recommend to anyone with one to knock the box into neutral when stopped,this seriously helps to keep the box cool and stops the dreaded slips,gear holds and bangs from the box .

[DippedHeadlights]

Try a 2010 or later Subaru Outback. A lot of us who drove thousands of miles in P2 gen (pre 2007) XC70s have gone that way. It's actually more comfortable and drives better, about the same size slightly less boot space but much more in rear seat. Controls and interior aren't as nice as Volvo but overall very happy.
I think what has done for Volvo, amongst other things, is extended service times. I had 4 XC70s in a row 2003-2007 models and each was less reliable and less well built than the previous.