They can be very expensive to fix......

In what way?

Angle gears, center diffs etc for the AWD system, gotta keep all four tyres within a certain amount of tread of each other or it can shag the diffs on earlier ones too, all that can rack up bills amounting to big biccies..... Unless your really, really, REALLY needing the AWD I suggest you go for a 2WD instead, less possible hastle.

The pre ME7 cars are also generally cheaper to fix, no nasty etm failures for example. A pre ME7 car will have a normal old fashioned mechanic throttle cable where as an ME7 will have an electronic throttle setup, can be time for a saaaaaaaad face if it goes wrog.

Yeah that's what I've been reading about the AWD system... By all accounts I've not heard amazing things about the cross country.. I thought it would of been less problematic! Lol! This one is a R reg I'm meant to be going for a look on Thursday.. But I'm getting scared off now and might just go back to looking at FWD normal 2.5 ones!

Should be fine aslong as it hasn't been abused, but random failures do happen, just the way it is I guess, 2WD is obviously a simpler set up with less foibles.

T5R/850R IMO - Sensible choice, haha :D

2WD V70s are pretty darn good in poor weather, without the need for 4WD.

These car's aren't true off-roaders anyway - the only plus they have is a few more inches ground clearance.

If you need a 4X4 you need a 4X4, but from the experience of my 1997 V70 in the snow over the past couple of winters, careful use of the TRACS and W setting on the autobox got me through where for example the gaffer's brand new BMW X1 4WD toy with all the gimmicks got well and truly stuck........

Of course that might have been down to superior driver skills?

Cheers

Jack

Yep...I can second that, Jack...my 2WD V70 (Auto.!!) has been superb over the previous couple of harsh Winters...and was often the ONLY vehicle that made it up the slope into the car park where I used to work, after snow and the subsequent ice...!!!
But I agree...superior driving skills do help...LOL

Neil

Well hello and welcome, this could be your lucky day !!

Fancy a trip down the M90 to look at my Big Blue ?

It's a 1998 V70R and it's just come up for sale.

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