'99 MY update

[Alpine]

I know there was a P80 update for the 1999 model year. As far as I know, the changes were as follows:

- black Volvo grill badge turned blue
- throttle cable became electronic
- coils on spark plugs
- spin on metal oil filter was changed to paper filter + plastic housing

But what other, probably more important ones, were there? And were they an improvement, or not on reflection?

And was this to align the P80 with the new S80 that had been introduced in 1998 (to standardise manufacturing)?

I think it was in 1999 that Ford bought into Volvo, so this update would have been pre that (ie. pre-Ford's cost-cutting)

Just interested in the history of it all. My car was registered in August 1998 but has the '99 MY updates

[sdg1970]

The vac & pcv system became a lot less involved too. I have a 97 car now, but prior I had a July 1999 V70 2.4T and there was much less vac and pcv stuff under bonnet.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Alpine

I know there was a P80 update for the 1999 model year. As far as I know, the changes were as follows:

- black Volvo grill badge turned blue
- throttle cable became electronic
- coils on spark plugs
- spin on metal oil filter was changed to paper filter + plastic housing

But what other, probably more important ones, were there? And were they an improvement, or not on reflection?

And was this to align the P80 with the new S80 that had been introduced in 1998 (to standardise manufacturing)?

I think it was in 1999 that Ford bought into Volvo, so this update would have been pre that (ie. pre-Ford's cost-cutting)

Just interested in the history of it all. My car was registered in August 1998 but has the '99 MY updates

the blue was for ford , the modifications were for the 1999 model year which came out half way through 1998.

[280E]

I think the driveshafts changed from 'nut on the end' to 'bolt on the end' around this time.

[RollingThunder]

I believe there were quite a few changes that happened when the engine became an 'ME7' - not just the obvious ones like the ECU, COP and variable valve timing, but also the sump, coolant pipe along the rear of the engine, coolant pipes to the turbo etc

[DaveNP]

Mine is a 98 reg 99MY but it seems from the previous posts I've got a mongrel, cable throttle and spin on filter but bolt in the end driveshafts, I've noticed in the past with both the V70 and my previous 940 that Volvo seem to have an evolutionary approach to design changes in cars with some getting a bit of the old and a bit of the new. Some times even Volvo don't seem to know what they put into my car as even with the chassis number they can end up supplying the wrong parts.

[john.wigley]

Originally Posted by DaveNP

Mine is a 98 reg 99MY but it seems from the previous posts I've got a mongrel, cable throttle and spin on filter but bolt in the end driveshafts, I've noticed in the past with both the V70 and my previous 940 that Volvo seem to have an evolutionary approach to design changes in cars with some getting a bit of the old and a bit of the new. Some times even Volvo don't seem to know what they put into my car as even with the chassis number they can end up supplying the wrong parts.

I've noticed this too, David. My car is a very late phase one, registered in February 2000 on the 'V'.

I think that the practice is (was) deliberate policy on the part of Volvo, as I've experienced it on 2, 7 and 9 series cars as well.

There seldom appears to be a definitive cut-off; rather, it would seem that Volvo saw fit to simply use up 'old' parts track-side until exhausted, and then simply switch to fitting the 'new' ones.

That may make sense to the manufacturer, but, as you rightly say, it can be a 'head-ache' to subsequent owners of 20 year old examples such as ours. Maybe Volvo are victims of their own success in making such long-lasting vehicles?

Incidentally, Volvo were not alone in doing this! I have worked for a number of manufacturers over the years and most employ a policy of 'continuous improvement'.

For example, should a particular component exhibit an unacceptably low MTBF in service, it may be redesigned or modified to increase reliability / service life. When the replacement part is available, it will almost certainly be put into production without waiting for a specific 'change-over' date, thus avoiding any additional customer dissatisfaction.

Notification of this change will initially be given to the dealers, but may become lost in the mists of time - again potentially causing a problem for the likes of you and I. Just another of the joys (challenges) of running an older car, I'm afraid!

Regards, John.

[ITSv40]

This scenario also happened on the S/V40 production in 1999/2000.. The early cars are now known as Phase 1 , cars manufactured during 2000 are mongrels and now known as Phase1.5 and 2001 onwards are true phase 2 It appears it took a full 12 months to introduce the Phase 2 while they were using up the old parts.