V70 XC, 2001 Good car?

Hi all,
I've been reading past posts regarding this subject and it is confusing
to me (and I work on cars recreationally from time to time). I've found
a V70 XC with 71K miles and it looks clean. Is this car reliable? I've
read a lot about the ETS or EMS system requiring the software upgrade
and the visocus vs. haldex coupling issues. Should I buy this car or am
I looking for problems? I know that no one can make any guarantees but
I thought I would solicit your opinions. What should I look for? how
can I have a mechanic check for the sofware upgrade? what else should I
look for.
Thanks,
Jim

 

I have an 01 V70 XC and I love it. What to look for:

A yellow sticker on the ETM (electronic throttle module), this indicates
that it has been replaced, the original has a white sticker. Volvo has
extended the warranty on this item to 200K / 10 years. When this fails it
can be drastic according to others. The car loses almost all power
immediately and can drive only about 15 mph. Others have made a great deal
of fuss about this but I see it as no different than breaking a timing belt
while driving (which has happened to me) where you lose all power and cannot
move the car safely from the road. I have also no knowledge of other
manufacturers extending the warranty on timing belts because of the
catastrophic failure of them like Volvo extended the warranty on the ETM.
The ETM is located on the front of the engine behind the fan. Look for
Magneti Marelli (sp?) on the sticker.

I wouldn't say that the viscous coupling system has "issues", it's just not
as good as the Haldex system. I've taken my XC off road in mud and snow and
was not disappointed in its' performance. The front bevel gear has given
other owners trouble but mine has not yet at 95K.

The cooling fans (radiator) have also been recalled. I think that this
should also have a yellow sticker on it as well.

I have had trouble with the rear hatch wiring harness on mine. The wires
tend to break at the drivers side hinge causing loss of the third brake
light, rear wiper and my problem, inability to unlock the rear hatch. I
haven't replaced the harness yet but I'm looking at about $180 US to do it
myself.

I highly recomment getting the latest transmission software from a Volvo
dealer. It improves shifting and gets rid of the annoying way the car
shifts into neutral at stop lights and going down long hills. It shouldn't
cost more than $80 US for the upgrade.

I'd recommend researching this site http://www.v70xc.com/ . LOTS of good
information here for this car.

As to which software version you have, I think only a Volvo dealer could
tell you. Possibly a larger independent shop would have the VADIS or VIDA
system that could read the car but this is not likely.

Shawn

 

Shawn,
Thanks a lot for all of the advice and history...I was really looking
for a reason (rationale) to buy the car. I just didn't want to buy a
car without doing some research and trying to determine the potential
problems. The car looks super and will check under the hood for the
yellow stickers on those components as you suggested....Thanks
Jim

 

To that all I can say is this. My next car will be an XC70 and the one
after that will be an XC70.

Shawn

 

the ETS/EMS system was a problem, but Volvo finally found the solution.
The viscous system was never a problem. The Haldex system is just a new
system that works as good or better. Many new cars still use the
viscous system. All Subarus use it and have for many years. It is a
trouble free system.

 

Go with the XC70. I have a 1998 and it is the best car I've ever owned
for long trips; also, it's super-safe and the AWD system really
performs in the snow, ice, and winter weather.

 

They never made an XC70 in 1998. It was a V70 XC until the XC70 debuted
in 2002. It was only a slight change from the V70. The new things were
an additional rear skid plate and unique floor mats. The major changes
were made in 2001 when the V70 XC was designed from the start to feature
all-wheel drive and additional ground clearance. As such, it has its own
front suspension and a slightly longer wheelbase than regular V70s, plus
a wider track front and rear to accommodate larger wheels and tires. The
result is a higher, wider stance that is much more aggressive-looking.
The Cross Country's interior dimensions are identical to those of
regular V70 wagons -- there's plenty of space in the front, while the
second-row seat is bit tight on legroom.

They are also good in rain. It is empowering to be able to accelerate
quickly when the roads are wet and slick while the muscle cars sit and
spin their tires. That is what grabbed my attention first.

 

So, given the changes in 2001 and 2002, what is the "best" year for a
used XC in terms of realiablity and features/function?

ID

 

It is literally impossible to say over the internet whether a given car
with 71k miles will reliable in the future without a lot of information
about how the car is currently running and how well the previous owners
kept ahead of problems, stayed with the maintenance schedule, etc.

You best bet is to have the car throughly checked out by a mechanic
experienced with Volvo's. If it checks out, I would expect that you
will have a good car. Be sure to check the pricing out on Edmunds if
you are in the USA.

Above all review the owners maintenance records and have the car
checked out by a competent mechanic.

 

1999 & 2000 are very good years. 1998 was a bad year for reliability.
Neither 2001 or 2002 were especially good years for reliability. I have
a 2001 V70 XC and have had no real problems, but it is not one of the
better years.

 

I currently have a 1998 V70 (fwd) with over 220K on it. It has been a
fairly reliable car with no major repair jobs needed, just usual brakes
and front end wear. Still has original rad, alt., starter, battery,
full exhaust, transmission, etc.

Would you say that the 99 and 00 XC versions are better cars? If so I
may look for a low-mileage example to replace my current car if/when I
need to.

ID

 

That is what the owners said in surveys. They have a much better than
average reliability rating.

 

Some cars, such as the early Volvo S80 got a reputation for poor
quality because of problems that were discovered and repaired in
warranty. I would expect that a five year old car would have any
shake-down problems corrected.

 

Sorry my fault. Usually I remember that!

 

I've got a 2002 XC wagon, and though I've enjoyed driving it, I'm glad
I had the 100K warranty. That warranty covered a new transmission,
multiple sets of tie rods, an issue with the radio, and assorted other
odds and ends. The warranty paid for itself many times over.

I've now got 107K miles on the vehicle. Two of the rear seat belts
won't loosen up; to replace both of those I've been quoted $1000 by the
dealer, for seat belts! The 105K service is nearly $700. The front
door panel on the passenger side is loose; the dealer claims it is
"broken", and wants to charge me $800 for it.

Etc. Etc. It's not cheap to maintain, I guess I'm saying, and it's
certainly needed its share of maintenance.

 

I've got a 2001 XC wagon, and though I've enjoyed driving it, I'm glad
I had the 100K warranty. That warranty covered a new transmission,
multiple sets of tie rods, an issue with the radio, and assorted other
odds and ends. The warranty paid for itself many times over.

I've now got 107K miles on the vehicle. Two of the rear seat belts
won't loosen up; to replace both of those I've been quoted $1000 by the
dealer, for seat belts! The 105K service is nearly $700. The front
door panel on the passenger side is loose; the dealer claims it is
"broken", and wants to charge me $800 for it.

Etc. Etc. It's not cheap to maintain, I guess I'm saying, and it's
certainly needed its share of maintenance.

 

Unfortunately your experience seems to be common with modern Volvos.
Lots of little stuff breaks and the cost of parts and labor is very high.

John