considering a V70R

[stu_850t5]

found a saffron gold V70R for sale local (ish).....

im currently in the market for a new estate car, own a 2007 Audi A4 avant tdi at the moment and me and the wife have swayed towards Mercedes E class diesel around a 2010 reg as they have a massive boot (which is a must for us).
however, this V70R auto has shown its face and im taken by it!

question is, do i take the plunge?!?!?! i used to own an 850R so the love for boxy swedes is strong. pros and cons of owning?dailying an R....

the wife is happy with either car, she only potters around locally so fuel consumption isnt too much of a worry. her worry is going from a 2007 audi to an R reg Volvo

[Steve440]

Well if you've owned an 850R their pretty much the same car as long as it's not Me7 or 4wd. Remember their age so things may need doing or have already been done if your lucky but I love mine and it's still costing me money after ten years of ownership.

Only significant difference that can go wrong is front wishbones, mines on its second set whilst I've had her, if it's an auto keep the fluid in good condition other than that all the things to look out for and know faults are the same as an 850.

Is it the one on eBay at the moment that didn't reach resurve?

[stu_850t5]

it's a fwd auto so no 4wd issues, thats the part im worried about is niggling issues i probably wouldnt have with a newer mercedes.

as far as im aware it hasnt been on ebay

[sdg1970]

I run a FWD Auto 1997 V70R as a daily with no real issues. It has 155k on the clock and I do roughly 8000 miles a year. I intend to take it over the 200k mark before retiring it to the sidelines - so another five years is the plan! This time of year it's monthly oil and filter changes, with an annual gearbox flush. Pressure washed fortnightly when all the salts about as per now. All good so far, a few niggles to iron out but nothing major. Paid £1300 for it last August and spent about the same bringing it up to speed - cam/aux belts, water pump, suspension, brakes etc. Best of luck!

[daniel mossey]

I have a 1997 v70 r with 147000 on the clock. Been in the family since 2006. It drives very well and over the years I've replaced items as I've gone on. Very solid car and still goes well. I've noticed as always during these cold months fuel gets eaten up more but lately on warmer mornings it's gets better. I average around town 23-24 mpg and on run along the a10 I can get sometimes..... 36mpg. I do use it daily for now.
Will eventually get a diesel as its a no brainier in the long run.

[sdg1970]

Originally Posted by daniel mossey

Will eventually get a diesel as its a no brainier in the long run.

I'm not so sure, what with all the Political tooing ind frowing with diesel emissions etc. I ran diesels for many years, bit I'd never go back to them now after falling in love with petrols again. Nice big, XC90 V8 for me next I reckon if I can find one..

[doingitsideways]

Originally Posted by sdg1970

Nice big, XC90 V8 for me next I reckon if I can find one..

I have a nice V8 XC90 Exec I'll most likely be selling soon if you're interested...

[polosteve]

The Mercedes probably will have niggles.... and cost more in the long run.

Also the Mercedes will be worth nothing in 8 years, the Volvo will be worth more in the future.


If its the £3k one in maidenhead then buy it, looks great (It was on eBay)


Oh and expect a biased answer on a Volvo forum!

[Bigfella666]

I think SDG has hit it on the head - you have got to pay the right price for the mota in hand. We all know that there are fellas commanding in the £3-4K mark and upwards. In my view this is not unreasonable so long as the purchaser is not looking at big bills for some considerable time and the maintainance record is good.

SDG sounds like you did rather well, I faired not so good having bought her for around £2k, spent £1500 a year later getting her through a genuine MOT and to get her up to my standards at least 1000 hours of my time ! In short these are never going to be cheap motas to run but what is at this performace point ?

In contrast Winston the trusty T5, 22 years old and in real terms has cost me nothing in 20 years. She went through the MOT in Dec with a 30 quid spend. Cracking mota !

[sdg1970]

Originally Posted by Bigfella666

I think SDG has hit it on the head - you have got to pay the right price for the mota in hand. We all know that there are fellas commanding in the £3-4K mark and upwards. In my view this is not unreasonable so long as the purchaser is not looking at big bills for some considerable time and the maintainance record is good.

SDG sounds like you did rather well, I faired not so good having bought her for around £2k, spent £1500 a year later getting her through a genuine MOT and to get her up to my standards at least 1000 hours of my time ! In short these are never going to be cheap motas to run but what is at this performace point ?

In contrast Winston the trusty T5, 22 years old and in real terms has cost me nothing in 20 years. She went through the MOT in Dec with a 30 quid spend. Cracking mota !

Sorry, just saw this post, so excuse me for a late reply.

One thing I really don't understand with the V70R's, is why the later AWD versions are more popular and especially so the Stage 3 (late 99 on) examples with the chocolate and snot gearboxes. An earlier, FWD, auto version seems to be at the bottom of the pile, but for me it was just what I wanted and found a reasonable example at a good price. I would have gone for a T5 over an AWD R anyday. Just me..