Are '98 S70s that bad?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Andrew
  • Start date Start date
A

Andrew

I've read horror stories of electrical problems, suspension noises, glue
problems on interior trim, frequent bulb replacement. much more than
one would consider 'normal'. On the other hand, I've heard that
my2000+, 70 series cars are better than average.

I was considering buying a 98 with very low kms, but...

?

a
 
I've read horror stories of electrical problems, suspension noises, glue
problems on interior trim, frequent bulb replacement. much more than
one would consider 'normal'. On the other hand, I've heard that
my2000+, 70 series cars are better than average.

I was considering buying a 98 with very low kms, but...

?

a
Click to expand...

Mine is a 98 but I am based in the UK. I bought it at 22K miles and it
now says 60K

In 1.5 +years I have owned it. The faults are (that I haven't caused
myself)

1 Blown brake light
2 Blown headlights - but I do have extra bright bulbs and they are on
all the time so it seems fair
The internal movement sensors needed replacing as they kept setting
the alarm off.
1 ABS Light on once - the codes indicated a problem with the master
brake pump but resetting cured the problem and it hasn't come back

No other problems spotted...

Sean
 
Sean, Have a similar problem with ABS light, how did you do the reset?
 
Andrew said:
I've read horror stories of electrical problems, suspension noises, glue
problems on interior trim, frequent bulb replacement. much more than
one would consider 'normal'. On the other hand, I've heard that
my2000+, 70 series cars are better than average.

I was considering buying a 98 with very low kms, but...

?

a
Click to expand...

Well as someone who bought a new 1998 V70, then added a used 1998 S70 4
years later, I've been quite satisfied with the car. Just don't get me
started on dealer service.
 
I've read horror stories of electrical problems, suspension noises, glue
problems on interior trim, frequent bulb replacement. much more than
one would consider 'normal'. On the other hand, I've heard that
my2000+, 70 series cars are better than average.

I was considering buying a 98 with very low kms, but...
Click to expand...
As the others have said.

Bought my S70 about 2 years ago with 19k on the clock. Now have 96k on the
clock.

Apart from what I would consider serviceable parts:

Front wheel bearings
Air con problems
Mass air flow thing (at about 35k)

Other than that , it's fine. Never let me down, starts first time (always),
runs today the same as when I got it. Unlike the others, my dealer is
fantastic (well I do see him a lot with the mileage that I do) and for now,
have no intention of changing the car for a while (I usually change my car
every 2 years).
 
Sean, Have a similar problem with ABS light, how did you do the reset?
Click to expand...

I have two tame garages one with Vardis, the other just the
AutoDiagnose kit. I can just wander in and help myself to the machines
when I want - doesn't cost me.

You need the OBD2 stuff to reset the code I'm afraid.
 
John Roccaro said:
Sean, Have a similar problem with ABS light, how did you do the reset?
Click to expand...
John
The ABS light resets itself once there is no longer an ABS error sensed and
you take the car over 18 mph.

Andy
 
We have a 1998 S70 (manual transmission, not turbo) and it has been a great
car for us. We have had very few problems -- the only electrical issue was
that a battery went dead prematurely. And once the "check engine" light
came on for no apparent reason; but after we got it turned off, the problem
did not reoccur.
 
I had a 98 S70 for three years and had no problem with it whatso ever. Nice
solid car.
 
I bought a 98 S70 T5 in the US...had 40K miles, came off a 2 year lease.
I absolutely love the car and have since spent quite a bit of time and money
on it with performance enhancements and upgrades. However, the little
annoying things that have ocurred over time are:
frequent bulb replacement (especially for my fog lamps), ABS control module
replacement (yikes!$$), interior door trim coming unglued (fixed by Volvo
under warranty at no charge to me). I do have suspension creaks and noises
coming from both the front and the rear. The front noises are due to worn
bushings on the Upper Control Arms (the car has over 100K miles on it now,
so I'm not surprised by this) and the rear noises are primarily caused by
the rear coil spring bump stops that rub on the inner side of the springs
themselves...completely harmless, but annoying nonetheless.

Mods to my car:
4.4+ Motronic ECU upgrade
Strut Tower Brace
Stainless Steel 3" cat-back performance exhaust
Power Slot nickel plated brake rotors at all 4 corners
K&N Performance air filter
Iridium performance spark plugs
Magnecor performance ignition wires
Black steel mesh grille
3.5 turns wastegate adjustment
European-style side marker lights
6-disc Volvo CD changer in glove box

Driven hard daily.

Al
 
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