V70 T5 experience

I've had my T5 for 3 years and enjoyed it. This forum has been very usefull in identifying common problems.
Apart from servicing / Brake discs /tyres the problems that I have had are :-

1)Drivers door electric window switch pack, replace for £100 or keep spraying with contact cleaner.

2)Heater matrix - Shouldn't fail, poor quality control by volvo

3) ABS control module - Shouldn't fail, poor quality control by volvo

4)Dealers hourly rates are high and as the car gets older it does require more investigation of faults.

I wonder if the new model is any better ?

[pauly]

Reading that, I,m glad I did,nt come and look at it now, someone told me the early V70s had reliability issues, perhaps I will stick to the 850s.

But didn't the V70 carry over a lot of parts from the 850 ?

[sholtby]

Yes, and those 3 faults were common to 850s also. But to have all 3 on one car is a bit unlucky. I still dont think Volvos are any less reliable than most other cars. For example mid to late nineties BMWs had a lot of problems with engine blocks cracking and the bores wearing out.
New Volvos probably aren't any more reliable. They are more complicated and have more things to go wrong.
If you are buying a new car something japanese like a Honda Accord could be a good buy but I wouldnt buy a second hand japanese car as parts often are only available from main dealers and are expensive.

Simon