Are the newer (FWD) Volvos as reliable as the older models?

[Ben O Brien]

well you see andy i was not designed to challenge people and be argumentative like yourself hence you are far better at challenging people in an aggressive manner, note i do not need to end my posts with an exclamation mark to indicate im shouting.

Whilst I have never owned a RWD, I know a few people who have, and they paid more to service their cars (one 740 2.3 GLE and one 265 GLE) than I do to service my V40 2.0T.

As far as reliability goes you get good cars and bad cars. I hope I have a good one, and at 165,000 km on the clock I have had new rear discs/pads and new front discs/pads and a battery. Other than that I've had only the standard service items. Yes the cam belt on FWD cars is *very* expensive compared with RWD if you have it done at the dealers - they have to take off one of the front engine mounts to change the thing and hence spend more time doing it.

So as far as reliabilty goes I don't think there is too much in it. Of course I brought it at 140,000 km on the clock with FVSH from the garage that supplied it from new - and they still service it now. So mine has been looked after - are the rest looked after as well? Who knows!

As for fuel consumption (Averages):

265 GLE <20mpg
740 2.3 GLE <20mpg
V40 2.0T 35mpg

FWD cars are much better than the RWD Volvos I've had experience with. That said they are all nice cars... You pays your money, you takes your choice:)

Stu

Have grown up with Volvos in the family all my life, my mother will drive nothing else


N plate 244 DL
X plate 245 GLT
A plate 245 GLT
C plate 764 TURBO
D plate 745 GLT
E plate 765 TURBO (uprated engine and suspension by Turbo technics that one really flew!)
L plate 855 T5 (mine now!!)
02 plate V70 T5

(there was a 340 DL in here somewhere but enough said about that disaster)

All were main dealer serviced annually

My parents remember them as this:

The 244 used to need regular tuning to run properly but lasted well and my mothers favourite for character but it did rust..., the 245 GLT's were the best for reliability and no faults

764 turbo had problems with some electrics but fantastic engine

The 745 GLT was awful with horrid soft lurchy suspension and suffered split hoses and electrics problems from the split hoses spraying radiator water every where.

the 765 had the turbo wastegate changed and boost pressure incresed, the front suspension was lowered 1 inch and springs stiffened by Turbo technics about 18 seconds to 100 from standing start (Auto box) - my father loves his turbos he has a Audi RS-6 now..This car had a split radiator hose and needed a new ECU under warranty.

855 i bought from them, it has been great except for the last year, brake calipers seizing and engine sensor faults (see other post on 850 forum about knock sensors) mechanically and the body work are superb

New ford V70, dynamically to drive the best of all of them. Ride is great, suspension a little softer than the 855, steering is better as is the power delivery the 855 is more fun but the V70 is a better companion especially with the new geartronic auto box, reliability... well ford have certianly economised in some areas, it has been in under warranty twice for silly items, door locks from remote does not work, poor starting, lumpy running when cold, some switchgear has broken...


only our experiences but all have been treated an looked after in a similar way, in todays world i'd rather have a 855 T5 or pre ford V70 any day to a 700 or 900 series

[Ben O Brien]

Hi all
I have to say in standard form as i would say 90% of volvos are that the 850 will handle far better than the older rwd cars but,
i have a 244 thats lowered,hardened,beter brakes, twin delortos etc. etc. which is now becoming a 242(long story-dont go there!!)
but anyway i the 244 was a far better handler than the 850, this was my ideal car as it had all the advantages of the old RWD's yet it still handled far better than the 850,
This will be my daily driver when all the nice bits are on the 242, provided of course i will be able to afford to run an 18mpg car when im in college!! Daihatsu charade 1ltr diesel here i come!! :-)