S70 - Slammed, 850 - Choice

I wanted to buy a used S70. I've read comments in this NG and owner reviews
on other websites. I conclude the S70 has major reliability issues and the
associated high cost of ownership to maintain. As a result I'm now looking
to buy an 850. I base a lot of my decision on the dissapointing reviews on
carsurvey.org (links below).

Is the S70 less reliable and more costly to own than the 850? I'd prefer
the newer model as newer normally means better, but perhaps not in this
case?

Thank you.



Some reviews I read
http://www.carsurvey.org/model_Volvo_S70.html
http://www.carsurvey.org/model_Volvo_850.html

 

I have just traded my S70 for a new S60.

I ran the thing for just over 3 years and 120,000 miles and during that
time, other than the usual service items, had the following "faults".

Mass airflow sensor replaced at 40k
Aircon evap unit at 50k (this is the major weakpoint of this car)

Other than the above (both under warranty) the car NEVER let me down,
started first time every time and ran like a dream.

I would not have bought another Volvo if it had been unreliable.

 

I have an S70 T5 with 126k miles on it and have put the last 40k on myself.

In that time I've had two failures:
Air mass meter (now)
Throttle Control Module at 110k miles (although symptoms started at 95k)

Total repair bills for those items are around $650 for the parts from
FCPGroton... not that bad really!

A.

 

Just reviewed your links... Seems the S70s with problems and unhappy owners
are the ones with '98 models. It looks like the '99s have a better
reliability record....

 

problem is they stuck the driving wheels up the wrong end and turned the
motor the wrong way around .REAR wheel drive is hard to beat ...2x 740
turbos 88 , 90

 

I have a '99 S-70. with 96k miles

Love it.

No problems so far.

J.

 

In an earlier contribution to this discussion,

So how is that relevant to the choice between an S70 and an 850 - they're
*both* front wheel drive?!

 

The 97 and 98 S70's are the most reliable. True, the air con evpourator is
the weak point, more so on 98 cars it seems. The Throttle control unit on 99
on cars is a major weakness, and i'd avoid that year for that reason.

The 96.5 / 97 850's were the most reliable of the 850.

Look for the best of each you can find, try them both and then decide.

Tim
97 S70 2.5, 65k, no faults other than electric window switch panel falling
apart, but they all do that! Air con still fine

 

I think it's something often referred to as "a joke"

 

In an earlier contribution to this discussion,

What, from an Australian?! He was deadly serious. He didn't even use a
"smiley"<g>

 

Hmm... another dinosaur it seems.... ;-)

If you think logically FWD makes far more sense.
Point your front wheels in the direction and let them pull you around vs
point your front wheels where you want to go and have another set of wheels
push you in a different direction?
Make the engine turn in the same direction as the wheels vs make your
engines axis 90 degrees to the required direction of rotation?

;-)

A.

 

This is somewhat of a religious argument, both have advantages and
disadvantages, both definitly drive differently, I prefer rear wheel drive
myself but front is ok for less powerful cars. Transversely mounted engines
(as in most FWD cars) I very definitly dislike, all the belts, accessories,
clutch, etc are jam packed against the inner fender and one or both
manifolds is always jammed in between the engine and firewall, a real pain
in the butt to work on.

 

I have 1997 S70 CD showing 143,000 miles with one previous owner. It has a
full dealer service history, and has had no major work done outside of
routine servicing. It drives like it's just come out of the showroom.

J ;-)

 

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and all this hype (or anti-hype)
about the S70, to me, is unfounded.

The only thing I have had go wrong with the my S70 is the rear Lambda
sensor. This conincidently occurred when my other half and I were t-boned
by a driver doing 70 on an international licence in a hire car.

The sensor was replaced under warranty, so no biggy. Oh, I did have to
replace one brake light. I have not experienced the dramas that have been
alleged to occur with globes blowing on a regular basis.

Oh, the thermostat needs to be replaced shortly, but as it has done some 120
thousand of thermostating, it is hardly a huge woe.

We use an independent mech who is tip top and doesn't feel the need to gouge
us. I can drop in with a warning light on or a concern and he is more than
happy to plug in the scan tool and reset lights, give a reading, for nought.
He knows that we will be back and word of mouth is a cheap and reliable for
of advertising.

I have no dramas with our S70 and I plan to keep for quite some time.

All the best

Hammo

1998 S70 20V SE

 

You were T boned by someone doing 70 and the car is still driveable? Or did
I misunderstand what you said?

 

Traction is finite RWD wins... if you had infinite traction FWD would be
better I would think, as it would do what you said... tug you in your
intended direction.

Next time you're in a FWD car turn the wheel hard and gun the gas... the car
will go somewhat forward and somewhat round... A RWD car will be able to
corner round and round faster (and may eventually swing its tail end round
too... which could be fun)

 

Interesting point here.....

On the S70 its possible to change the belts in around half an hour if you
know what you are doing, and this is a transverse engine.
Ever try it on an Audi A4? The engine is longitudinal and should be easy to
do right?
I suppose it is if you don't mind removing the grille, bumper, radiators
etc......

As for the FWD/RWD thing. You're right it is a religious argument. I
personally prefer FWD as it is way more predictable in adverse conditions
(IMHO) and have not really found too many issues with traction if sensible
and progressive use of the right foot is practised. And bear in mind mine is
not a 'less powerful' car... its a T5.....

In some ways it is dependent on what you learnt to drive in and had in your
first car from what I've found when discussing it with other people.

;-)

A.

 

Hi Rob,

I tried that in an RWD car once (in the wet with traction control turned
off)... did a wonderful pirouette......and didn't even look like going
around the corner! (Car was Mercedes C240).

I seem to recall reading somewhere (can't remember where) that 90% of
drivers can drive faster through bends in an FWD car than a RWD one, but
that the RWD one will ultimately be faster. I'll be happy to be in the
90%....

;-)

A

 

Hmmm... interesting about the Merc

We've got a Volvo 960 at home (201 horsepower, Rear drive, Limited slip
differential - no electronic traction control... more power then that C240,
and more weight) and it goes round corners in all weather pretty well - our
VW's are even beat for manuevering in the snow... you can use the tail end
to "steer" the Volvo if needed... of course there is always the handbrake
for the dubs'.

I know what the Volvo can do - it's a faster car through turns then our much
lighting and nimbler Volkswagen Golf's. Which are FWD cars.... The Volvo
just feels like a wallowing old truck doing it, whereas the VW's feel a
little more up to the task.

 

OK, it wasn't a complete t-bone (as in middle of the car). The major impact
was behind the B pillar and the brunt was on the rear wheel. We were
travelling through a round about (and had right of way), and we did some
serious spinning!

Yep, car is still driveable (after repairs), it was a tow job. I did have
some concussion after it that though.

Cheers

Hammo