Do ETM Issues Only Effect The Magneti Marelli ETM's?

[LPTJoe]

As per the title guys...

Are the well documented Magneti Marelli ETM problems only an issue on 2000/2001 cars, or do the later Bosch ETM's also suffer the same problems...?

The backstory is my current 2001 V70 was bought very cheaply, is tired and battered and is showing signs of ETM troubles ahead. I've come to the decision that having dipped my toe into the water, I LOVE V70's, so it's perhaps time to replace my existing car with a nicer example- the plan being to buy a nicer 2002-2005 example to avoid the clock issues and ETM problems.

TIA chaps

[oragex]

The Marelli were used in 2002 as well. The later Bosch do act sometimes on the turbo petrol engines. The clock (DIM) is really not a big deal, a damper or wishbone are more to replace. I think a forum member can fix the DIM for not much. The 2004-2005 had problems with wet CEM, not fun. 2005up have plastic headlights which bleed fingers when replacing a bulb. Manual transmissions fail at the slave cylinder. I would look for a 2003 automatic that is smooth changing gears once warmed up, or a manual with the clutch already replaced. Or a 2006up

[LPTJoe]

Originally Posted by oragex

The Marelli were used in 2002 as well. The later Bosch do act sometimes on the turbo petrol engines. The clock (DIM) is really not a big deal, a damper or wishbone are more to replace. I think a forum member can fix the DIM for not much. The 2004-2005 had problems with wet CEM, not fun. 2005up have plastic headlights which bleed fingers when replacing a bulb. Manual transmissions fail at the slave cylinder. I would look for a 2003 automatic that is smooth changing gears once warmed up, or a manual with the clutch already replaced. Or a 2006up

Thanks for the great reply, lots of things I didn't know about- That raises another couple of questions My criteria was basically a post 2002 car, petrol, manual, and non turbo (For simplicity)

1. I'd always avoided the automatic cars as I've heard terrible things about their reliability, working on the basis that a clutch job is cheaper than having to refurbish a gearbox. Am I getting this all wrong? The slave cylinder issue sounds equally worrying though. Does that effect all manual P2 petrol cars or just specific years?

2. Do the 2006 up cars avoid all of the above issues?

Thanks in advance.

[barrybritcher]

dont forget after march 2006 basically they all become expensive tax so ideally you want a 55 plate

[oragex]

Clutch job is a bag of money on these cars. The slave is internal, the engine most come out, usually the clutch and dual flywheel are contaminated by fluid ($$$) need special tools. I wouldn't skip an automatic IF it shifts smoothly after 10-15 minutes driving. These automatic are actually very durable when the fluid was replaced, not a troublesome transmission. Problem comes from old fluid causing stuck solenoids. Also when towing and not replacing the fluid at interval.