V70 Estate - 170bhp Any comments

[Skyedriver]

Having had a bit of an event with my trusty 940LPT Estate today, I'm scanning the ads.
Seen a 51 plate "170" V70, manual, FSH, 124k miles etc
Anyone any comments. A T5 would be nicer I suppose, this one doesn't have leather, but that's not the "be all and end all".
I'll miss my rear wheel drive and tight turning circle.
Does anyone want a '98 940LPT with the bonnet wrapped over the [cracked] windscreen.

[Finlandia]

Had a 99 model v70 170, it was quite alright, not fast but not slow either, not frugal but not too keen on petrol either, different car to a 01 model though.

[The_Burg]

Hold out for the T5, plenty of cheap ones out there.

[morgrp]

Make sure its not the "Denso" engine - good engine but seriously pricey on parts

[Skyedriver]

How do I recognise a denso engine please, I haven't got past the old red block stage yet, this front wheel drive thing is all new to me.

[morgrp]

Just check the airflow meter to see what make it is - you want one with a Bosch meter not a denso - the engine wasn't particularly popular and I think volvo soon realised it was not worth it so it was only in production for a couple of years or so. To be honest it's not a crock of an engine it's just annoyingly expensive for the denso parts over Bosch

[morgrp]

Just check the airflow meter to see what make it is - you want one with a Bosch meter not a denso - the engine wasn't particularly popular and I think volvo soon realised it was not worth it so it was only in production for a couple of years or so. To be honest it's not a crock of an engine it's just annoyingly expensive for the denso parts over Bosch

[martinrpeachey]

I would strongly avoid anything prior to the faecelift models (2005/05) as they were dogged with electrical gremlins - especially pre-2003 models. The throttles are a known weak point, as are the speedos (nearly 800 quid for a new one - I should know) Be careful of autos with more than 100k too.

[Skyedriver]

martinrpeachey said:

I would strongly avoid anything prior to the faecelift models (2005/05) as they were dogged with electrical gremlins - especially pre-2003 models. The throttles are a known weak point, as are the speedos (nearly 800 quid for a new one - I should know) Be careful of autos with more than 100k too.

Thanks
The one I was thinking of looking at, locally, is a 51 plate, manual, with FSH but 124k miles.

[martinrpeachey]

Skyedriver said:

Thanks
The one I was thinking of looking at, locally, is a 51 plate, manual, with FSH but 124k miles.

124k is barely a run-in mate. Mine's on 208500+ and still has perfect emissions and no unusual noises or oil use.

I know of 2002 cars with 335+k miles on them, still going strong.

[Skyedriver]

So is yours the exception to your previous rule?
Would I be better waiting for a T5.
Car advertised, at a dealer at £1399

[rsv696]

I had a manual 53 plate V70 2.4 D5. One of the best cars I've had to be honest. Beautifully built & didn't put a foot wrong during my ownership. Prior to that I had a 99V old shape V70 (think Volvo 850) with the 2.5 Audi Tdi engine. Again, a great car, although you do hear some horror stories about that engine. I'd probably agree with the advice to go for a post 2005 model if you can stretch to it - better looking, more powerful & more desirable IMO.

[Skyedriver]

Thanks
Seems there are problems with pre 2005 cars but there are good ones out there.
Similar to most cars I guess.
Might have a look at the 51 plate at the weekend and take it from there.
T5 would be nice and so would leather rather than cloth (except on hot days).
I'll miss the trust 940. It would swallow the world, the later oners haven't the same carrying capacity.

[martinrpeachey]

Skyedriver said:

So is yours the exception to your previous rule?
Would I be better waiting for a T5.
Car advertised, at a dealer at £1399

Mine proves the rule in some ways...

Speedo failed and was replaced for £732.50. the throttle failed recently, although it's the newer Bosch type, meaning it doesn't need programming when you put a new one in ther - I got a 2nd hand one off a S60R. Being Plod spec, it doesn't have things like full auto climate control and the standard audio which can be a bit twitchy.
I've replaced the brakes with those off a XC90 (336mm rotors and massive calipers)
Springs, shocks, clutch, timing belt, swapped the interior for leather and custom carbon interior trims, bushes, mounts, and lots of external bits and bobs incl. vinyl wrapping the roof (leaked due to holes from light bar), the list goes on.

To be honest, it was a dog when I got it and it's taken a fair bit of work and cash to get it where it is now, which is a savage, noisy, firebreathing motorway missile with 290bhp that'll also be quiet and comfortable when carting the family about.

You'll always hear the horror stories, especially with the older models.
When you take a test drive, check the speedo has silver rings around the dials - this means it's been changed and won't go wrong.

[mnkiboy]

I've had a manual 170 on an 03 plate for over a year now, and it's currently on 134k miles. The car isn't as slow as I thought it would be, 0-60 in 9 and 137mph isn't bad, even though you sometimes miss the torque that a T5 or D5 would give.

The engine in mine has been fault free so far, other than an engine core plug popping out allowing hot oil to drip on the exhaust - fixed for £2.50.
I don't actually know if mine has the electrical upgrade or not. It doesn't have the silver rings around the dials.

The most expensive problem i've had is suspension related. It cost £300 to get through the MOT, as a couple of suspension bushes were worn.

For £1425 i've got a fine dog carrier and motorway cruiser.

[martinrpeachey]

mnkiboy said:

I've had a manual 170 on an 03 plate for over a year now, and it's currently on 134k miles. The car isn't as slow as I thought it would be, 0-60 in 9 and 137mph isn't bad, even though you sometimes miss the torque that a T5 or D5 would give.

The engine in mine has been fault free so far, other than an engine core plug popping out allowing hot oil to drip on the exhaust - fixed for £2.50.
I don't actually know if mine has the electrical upgrade or not. It doesn't have the silver rings around the dials.

The most expensive problem i've had is suspension related. It cost £300 to get through the MOT, as a couple of suspension bushes were worn.

For £1425 i've got a fine dog carrier and motorway cruiser.

The silver rings didn't come in until late 2004, or if the DIM was replaced.

The bushes would have been front wishbone bushes, these cars eat them like sweeties! Volvo (and a lot of indy garages) will just replace the wishbones which is quite wasteful IMO, I replaced the bushes with powerflex bushes in the knowledge that I'll never need to do it again. Sharpens up the steering too.

[mnkiboy]

I've got the older style mirrors.

[waits for inevitable breakdown...]