Is S60 reliable?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Pat Quadlander
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Pat Quadlander

I've owned Volvos over 30 years, beginning with '71 144s, and many 240s
since then. I currently drive 91 240. In the last 5 years (my "retro"
period), I've owned a 122s (father-son project), and still own 70 1800E,
which I will sell sometime soon.

For job reasons (high-tech industry sales), I need to upscale to something
more modern looking, even though I'm an "old-school" Volvo fan.

I like the stylish look of the S60/S80 models, but concerned about
reliability and maintenance expense. The last thing I need is high-speed
performance.

What are the group's opinions on the S60? Which years? Which options
(turbo, or non-turbo)? How many miles? Common complaints/fail-points?
Maintainability? Reliability?

Thanks,
Pat Q
 
Maybe you should look at a 1998 S90... It looks like a very elegant car, has
all the modern features, and it's still an "old-school" volvo.

You should drive what you want, not what other people expect you to drive.

Get a late model S60 if you get one... More problems sorted out that way. I
only know of people with a 2001 V70, and they like it, no trouble with the
engine, a few computer updates along the way, and they had to replace the
DSTC system.... which was very expensive. The car has around 130-140K kms on
it... The older Volvo's would be cheaper to maintain to 130K then this one
was. But it is more "upscale and modern" - at least it looks and drives like
a new car too.
 
We have a 2001 S60. Only major repair has been a throttle control item,
can't remember the exact name. It kept the car from going over 30 mph.

The biggest nuisance has been the remote fobs. Dealer has repaired them
twice already, and now they are still working intermittently. Hopefully,
newer ones are more reliable.

Norm
 
Pat Quadlander said:
I've owned Volvos over 30 years, beginning with '71 144s, and many 240s
since then. I currently drive 91 240. In the last 5 years (my "retro"
period), I've owned a 122s (father-son project), and still own 70 1800E,
which I will sell sometime soon.

For job reasons (high-tech industry sales), I need to upscale to something
more modern looking, even though I'm an "old-school" Volvo fan.

I like the stylish look of the S60/S80 models, but concerned about
reliability and maintenance expense. The last thing I need is high-speed
performance.

What are the group's opinions on the S60? Which years? Which options
(turbo, or non-turbo)? How many miles? Common complaints/fail-points?
Maintainability? Reliability?

Thanks,
Pat Q
Click to expand...

Consumer Reports has an issue on automopbiles each year, with information on
repairs that were needed by model and year. The publictaion can be found in
most US public libraries. You can read it online if oyu are a subscriber,
bt you can buy the new car guide for $9.95 at their online bookstore:
http://www.consumerreports.org/main...ASSORTMENT<>ast_id=389451&bmUID=1087234863344.
It has reliability information.
 
The new Volvo fobs with the integral key, seem to be made by the same
company that makes the ones for VW/Audi (incredibly similar design, same
types of materials used)... if this is the case they are pretty
indestructible.
 
I've had an S60 2.0T for 2yrs and recently changed to a S60 D5. I've had no
problems at all doing business mileage around the UK. Software was updated
on the dash recently as the trip occasionally reset itself, cup holder on
the 2.0T dash stopped closing (but then I did use it as a phone holder), got
through a large number of lightbulbs with the daylight running lights on,
but nothing major. Now get much improved mpg as well with the diesel and
not much of a difference in performance.

Graham
 
Graham Tavener said:
I've had an S60 2.0T for 2yrs and recently changed to a S60 D5. I've had no
problems at all doing business mileage around the UK. Software was updated
on the dash recently as the trip occasionally reset itself, cup holder on
the 2.0T dash stopped closing (but then I did use it as a phone holder), got
through a large number of lightbulbs with the daylight running lights on,
but nothing major. Now get much improved mpg as well with the diesel and
not much of a difference in performance.

Graham
Click to expand...

Graham, what sort of mpg were you getting with the 2.0T ?? Thinking of
getting one. Was yours auto or manual?

Tim..
 
.....What are the group's opinions on the S60? Which years? Which options
(turbo, or non-turbo)? How many miles? Common complaints/fail-points?
Maintainability? Reliability?
Click to expand...

Our '01 2.4T now has about 47,000 miles, and we've had it about 3 1/2 years.
Biggest problem (which we didn't even know about except for the "message
center" directing us to have it serviced ASAP) was a need to replace both
the throttle body and the gas pedal position sensor (that tells the computer
how hard you're pressing on it), both accomplished under warranty.
Otherwise, there have been a few small things, like side marker lights
literally falling out and hanging by their wires, and buzzy speakers. The
window/mirror switches unit in the driver's door was also replaced. And a
seal on the oil return for the turbo. Currently it's running trouble free,
just about to go off warranty, and that's been the case for many months.
Still very solid, substantial feeling; no squeaks, rattles or looseness.
Through careful driving, my wife has the "average mpg" (on the "message
center") up to 24.6 MPG on her daily 34 mile commute, about half freeway and
half surface streets. Knowing what I do now, would I buy it if I had it to
do over? Probably. My wife loves the car. And it's never left us stranded.

FWIW, Consumer Reports rates the S60 a "Recommended" buy.
 
It was the 5 speed manual. I personally found the gearbox quite 'clunky'
and it didn't have a very smooth feel. I was getting 28mpg with quite a
heavy right foot and some town driving. Cruising on the motorway I would
get 34mpg or so.

Graham
 
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