Just successfully bid on a leggy V70 T5. What to check?
Discussion
I bought a high mileage V70 T5 last night from cars with no reserve. Their business model allows almost unlimited inspection following the auction. If possible, I'll go in this afternoon on the way home from work.
I'm aware of potential issues with brakes and suspension, but I reckon I can do most of that myself. I'm also aware that earlier models had electrical and gearbox issues. I believe the electrical problems were ironed out by the 2006 model year. Is the auto still a potential issue? Is there anything else to look for, other than the obvious?
I'm aware of potential issues with brakes and suspension, but I reckon I can do most of that myself. I'm also aware that earlier models had electrical and gearbox issues. I believe the electrical problems were ironed out by the 2006 model year. Is the auto still a potential issue? Is there anything else to look for, other than the obvious?
s2sol said:
I bought a high mileage V70 T5 last night from cars with no reserve. Their business model allows almost unlimited inspection following the auction. If possible, I'll go in this afternoon on the way home from work.
I'm aware of potential issues with brakes and suspension, but I reckon I can do most of that myself. I'm also aware that earlier models had electrical and gearbox issues. I believe the electrical problems were ironed out by the 2006 model year. Is the auto still a potential issue? Is there anything else to look for, other than the obvious?
What year is the car? If it's newer than around 2003-ish then a few of the common faults will have been solved: if the dashboard dials have chromed surrounds then you'll likely be safe from the DIM going wild (few hundred quid to repair). Also the gearbox will be a later revision; while not perfect it's better than the earlier ones. See if the fluid in it has been swapped; if not and it shifts nicely then budget £50 to DIY the fluid change (easy as changing engine oil). If you're allowed to drive it check that it engages gear and shifts smoothly (esp from 2-3 and 3-2). If it's clunking or thumping into gear, or if it 'flares' between gearshifts then best case it needs some love, worst case it's Donald Ducked. A shift flare is as if it shifts to neutral in between gears (hence revs go up a few hundred RPM from where they were in the lower gear) before the next gear engages and the revs drop suddenly back down.I'm aware of potential issues with brakes and suspension, but I reckon I can do most of that myself. I'm also aware that earlier models had electrical and gearbox issues. I believe the electrical problems were ironed out by the 2006 model year. Is the auto still a potential issue? Is there anything else to look for, other than the obvious?
Listen for creaks and groans from the suspension; it's a heavy car after all. Have a good look at the front tyres; if they aren't brand new then make sure they're wearing evenly.
I've no knowledge of what to look for on the T5 engine I'm afraid. I presume check that it starts and runs okay but beyond that I've no idea; hopefully someone else will come along to advise.
Good luck
Oh and bring a lint free white cloth; if you aren't allowed to drive it and are worried about the gearbox then take the dipstick (yellow cap, low down in the engine bay on the right as you stand facing the engine) from the gearbox and wipe some of the fluid on the cloth. Cherry red and sweet smelling? All good. Brown/black and burned smell? Old tired fluid.
As above really.
With the engine, it's a 2.4, 260bhp so it should go like a bloody rocket. Take it for a run and get it up to temp, pull over and with the engine running, remove the dipstick. If you see puffs of white smoke, the breather system (PCV) needs cleaning or replacing. 150 + labor to have it changed at a garage although it can be done at home if you're handy with spanners. You may not even need to replace the PCV - if it's not too bad, it'll just need a clean.
Listen for a fast knock or rattle from the bottom end as this can signify big end problems. Fast tapping from the top will most likely be the injectors so don't worry about that, it's normal.
For in depth advice on the car, sign-up to one of the Volvo specific forums like
www.vpcuk.org,
www.volvoforums.org.uk,
forums.t5d5.org or
www.volvotuning.net.
If it's an ex-police car, come find me
they're my specialty.
With the engine, it's a 2.4, 260bhp so it should go like a bloody rocket. Take it for a run and get it up to temp, pull over and with the engine running, remove the dipstick. If you see puffs of white smoke, the breather system (PCV) needs cleaning or replacing. 150 + labor to have it changed at a garage although it can be done at home if you're handy with spanners. You may not even need to replace the PCV - if it's not too bad, it'll just need a clean.
Listen for a fast knock or rattle from the bottom end as this can signify big end problems. Fast tapping from the top will most likely be the injectors so don't worry about that, it's normal.
For in depth advice on the car, sign-up to one of the Volvo specific forums like
www.vpcuk.org,
www.volvoforums.org.uk,
forums.t5d5.org or
www.volvotuning.net.
If it's an ex-police car, come find me
they're my specialty. If you don't mind me asking, what did you pay? I'm considering replacing my '99 Phase1 V70 T5 and have shied away from a later one due to the possible problems mentioned already. Mine has been trouble free for nearly 50k needing only servicing and passes it's mot every year with nothing needed.
S1_RS said:
If you don't mind me asking, what did you pay? I'm considering replacing my '99 Phase1 V70 T5 and have shied away from a later one due to the possible problems mentioned already. Mine has been trouble free for nearly 50k needing only servicing and passes it's mot every year with nothing needed.
Just over £1800. It has very high mileage, though. I can't figure out how to copy the eBay add here, but it finished just after 9pm yesterday. I start work at 4am, so I was in bed!Well, I bought it. Tales of woe will no doubt follow. The engine was warm when I arrived, and there was evidence of slight crankcase pressure. Blue rather than white smoke, though. It drove well, but there was a warning for anti skid control temporarily inactive. A quick google assured me that this was terminal, but the guy cleared the codes and sent me out again. It didn't come back, despite my best efforts. It didn't make any untoward suspension noises, had some recent (strangely branded) tyres on, and was filthy both inside and out. It's got a fair sized scrape on the NSR door, and looks to have had a bit of a knock from behind at some point.
The trip was showing an average of 29.5mpg at an average speed of 44mph over about 4500 miles. That would do me - I've a diesel pickup that does about 25mpg and a van that does 22mpg, both at an average speed of around 48mph.
I got as long as I wanted to poke about the car, and I had the impression that as long as I turned up and had a good look, I could have given any reason I wanted not to buy it. It's an interesting business model, but it looks like very hard work.
I might collect it tomorrow, time permitting. If so, I expect to be suffering from enormous buyer's remorse by about 7pm on Saturday. It's going to be a dog/commuting/kids car, so as long as it doesn't let me down, that's fine.
The trip was showing an average of 29.5mpg at an average speed of 44mph over about 4500 miles. That would do me - I've a diesel pickup that does about 25mpg and a van that does 22mpg, both at an average speed of around 48mph.
I got as long as I wanted to poke about the car, and I had the impression that as long as I turned up and had a good look, I could have given any reason I wanted not to buy it. It's an interesting business model, but it looks like very hard work.
I might collect it tomorrow, time permitting. If so, I expect to be suffering from enormous buyer's remorse by about 7pm on Saturday. It's going to be a dog/commuting/kids car, so as long as it doesn't let me down, that's fine.
Just outside Bristol. I didn't manage to pick it up at the weekend. I'm hoping to get it tomorrow afternoon. I start work in Bristol at 4am, drive to London and hope to be back in Bristol at 1pm, then get a train to Reading to drive back to Bristol. I've been warned that I've got a busy day tomorrow though, so I might not get back in time. The overtime will go towards the £485 tax, though!
s2sol said:
Just outside Bristol. I didn't manage to pick it up at the weekend. I'm hoping to get it tomorrow afternoon. I start work in Bristol at 4am, drive to London and hope to be back in Bristol at 1pm, then get a train to Reading to drive back to Bristol. I've been warned that I've got a busy day tomorrow though, so I might not get back in time. The overtime will go towards the £485 tax, though!
How's the car doing?It's fantastic, thanks. I'd had an 850 a few years ago, and this is in a different league.
It's comfortable, fast and in surprisingly good condition. It's almost as if someone's added 100k miles on rather than take them off.
It's having a cambelt, tensioner and water pump tomorrow for peace of mind. I've done about 600 miles in the last 8 days and I'm really very pleasantly surprised by it.
I'll see if I can get some pictures on Sunday, and maybe start a thread on readers cars. It'll be very tame compared to most in there.
It's comfortable, fast and in surprisingly good condition. It's almost as if someone's added 100k miles on rather than take them off.
It's having a cambelt, tensioner and water pump tomorrow for peace of mind. I've done about 600 miles in the last 8 days and I'm really very pleasantly surprised by it.
I'll see if I can get some pictures on Sunday, and maybe start a thread on readers cars. It'll be very tame compared to most in there.
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