New Member

[Norfolk Jim]

Hi Chaps & Ladies.

Just joined as I will be acquiring a 54 Reg V70 D5 SE Geartronic in a few days time.

Was previously a Saab man but as parts getting expensive and rare decided it was time to move sooner rather than later - hence here I am and getting excited waiting for my new car. It has currently 142k on the clock and is being delivered direct to my main dealer for the 144k service for somewhere round the £385 mark which I do not mind paying as it will include Volvo Assistance free which I understand is around £178 normally.

Not new to Volvo as we have a V50 2.0D SE which has proved to be excellent and has the free Volvo Assistance as well.

The V70 is in excellent condition with full history and runs smooth as can be.

What if anything should I keep my eyes open for in the coming months? I have had a vehicle inspection done which took 2 hours and picked up 2 front tyres and clean of EGR valve but basically nothing else!

I will be looking to get second set of wheels with winter tyres on (had them on Saab and couldn't believe the difference in heavy rain, snow, slush and frosty roads). I am also interested to hear what you chaps suggest as being best Economy/Performance upgrades as the only one i know of is RICA.

Look forward to being part of the forum like I was with Saab forum.

[RM955I]

Hi,

I moved to a v70 2.4 170 after a long time with my SAAB 95 Aero which at 155k was quite honestly shagged for lack of a better term.

I'm not too up on the diesels but I would check front wishbones as the bushes wear (or disintegrate to be more precise); I'd check the state of the ATF and consider a precautionary change; drop links are common failures; there's the much spoken of rear brake shoes (not pads....shoes, for the handbrake); check that the timing belt has been done and the auxiliary drive belt plus any associated pulleys and tensioners for both; if you have an HU850 head unit make sure it works - the multichanger internals are made of chocolate and regularly fail; apparently Volvos are very fussy about their coolant and people swear by the genuine stuff so it may be worth a flush and change; it seems that brake pistons/calipers are prone to sticking so a good clean and smear of red brake grease under the rubber boot is advised; fresh brake fluid makes a big difference; don't know about diesels but on my petrol model the exhaust hanger brackets for the tailpipe and mid section rust and fail although thankfully bolt-on replacements are available; the top engine torque mount falls apart (the big rubber thing in a metal bracket bolted to the top of the engine) and when that goes it also breaks the lower torque mount, small bush (bolted to gearbox); oh, and get to know where the fuse boxes are.....bloody things are all over the place - never had a car with so many fuseboxes LOL

Can't think of anything else but the diesel guys can give you diesel specific issues

I also managed to get a spare set of wheels for 175 quid and a set of 4 used Hankook Icebear tyres with 8.5-9mm tread for 200 quid back in the summer. As it happens I prefer the ride of the winter tyres and increased road noise is negligible.

[outnumbered]

depending on how it has been driven before you may get the old vanes on the turbo sticking .
intercooler.
DMF.
CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER, see if it has been changed in the past.
engine mounts front and rear they are vac operated and can effect the turbo.
enjoy the car
mike

[Simon Jones]

Originally Posted by outnumbered

DMF.
CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER, see if it has been changed in the past.

It's geartronic, so change of ATF would be a wise precaution.

[Georgeandkira]

Hello, What a great way to start the new year! Too bad it comes in Winter; it impedes learning a new car's inwards. Kira

[S60 PNV]

Originally Posted by Norfolk Jim

It ... is being delivered direct to my main dealer for the 144k service for somewhere round the £385 mark which I do not mind paying as it will include Volvo Assistance free which I understand is around £178 normally.

I went for full Volvo service; not sure it's necessarily worth it on car of that age / mileage..

Mine was £350, dealer in Ipswich. another forum member quoted £410 from dealer in Cambridge - same service but prices seem to vary quite a bit.

One thing I learned (too late) is that you should call several local dealers and get quotes from all, get your local to price match, if they won't, go elsewhere.

An independent will do basically the same service, but for more like £250.

The Volvo Assist is comparable to AA Cover at between 80-100 quid, I;'d have thought, I doubt it's really worth £178 ?

[Norfolk Jim]

Thanks chaps.

I was used to a 300hp 9-5 aero with the same auto box and paddles but just found normal driving drank 20 mpg and only on run got 40. My 2.2TiD I just sold went very well with 145hp and 360 Nm and averaged around 43mpg so if this one does similar I'll be pleased.

It has just failed MOT on emissions. Tester said oil was quite dirty so they are doing oil change and then re-test and see what happens. Fine by me as its at his cost to get it through anyway and I'm getting full service done by dealer in any case - thanks for heads up about getting quotes from other dealers and seeing if they'll do price match

The engineer who did the check said the gearbox was smoothest he'd seen and changed imperceptibly so will wait for a while before spending £100 on ATF change.

I did check up on cost for Full Euro Coverage by AA and it was around the £150 mark but of course this gets Volvo out and not what I call a Jack of All Motors mechanic out - no disrespect to AA or RAC so could be quicker on the move again.

Thanks also for heads up on problems RM9551. Hopefully all should be ok as the engineer that looked also services Volvo's so should be aware of most problems and he only came back to me with 2 tyres and emissions thing which have all been picked up on MOT

Hopefully looks like I get it Monday/Tuesday - well I hope as long as re-test goes ok tomorrow..............

[myfirstv70]

"It has just failed MOT on emissions. Tester said oil was quite dirty so they are doing oil change and then re-test and see what happens"

It may be worth giving the car a good hard drive say 4,000 revs for a few miles before the MOT test.....if like me you don't tear around you tend to get a build up of soft soot in the exhaust which will blow out when working the engine hard. You may also notice on the exhaust print out on your MOT reflects that the particulate readings reduce after each subsequent run. My car (a D5) makes very little smoke apart from rare occasion I bury the throttle into the carpet! Once that's done it's very clean therafter.
HTH,
Nobby

[Norfolk Jim]

Thanks Nobby.

I think the EGR will need a good clean out as I now have the car history from Volvo.

It appears that its early years must have been company car or lease car as from Oct 2004 to July 2008 it did 132K (all Volvo main dealer servicing) and has now covered 142k i.e. 10k in 4 and half years and being geartronic reckon has never been driven fast and only been a locally driven vehicle - hence EGR light on dash lit up. Should know later today the outcome.

BTW managed to get 144k service down to £375 by ringing round and asking for price match - hopefully happy bunny.

[Norfolk Jim]

This is the motor