Looking to buy a second hand V70

[Jason Russell]

Hi, and apologies for not read backward over the thousands of posts here.

Due to a recent accident (not my fault, was rear ending), I am having to
bring forward my search for a newer car.

I have whittled it down to choices, either a BMW 5 Series Touring or a Volvo
V70.

The BMW's seem to be too highly priced and not many available, so I reckon
the Volvo is the one.

I looked at an R plate (1998 Reg for non-UK readers) V70 2.5 10v with
148,000 miles on the clock.

It was a manual, and was in good condition for its age/mileage. Only fault
I could find was the rear wiper/washer not working - although the garage
told me they would fix that.

Reasonable spec including AC, ABS, Airbags etc.

Is there anything I should be looking out for especially?

or are there any good Volvo forums that you could point me in the right
direction.

Many thanks.


--
Jason Russell
Dotcom-Computers Ltd
t: 01403 784340
f: 01403 786698
e: dotcom AT dotcom-computers.co.uk

 

[Tim..]

Hi, and apologies for not read backward over the thousands of posts here.

Due to a recent accident (not my fault, was rear ending), I am having to
bring forward my search for a newer car.

I have whittled it down to choices, either a BMW 5 Series Touring or a Volvo
V70.

The BMW's seem to be too highly priced and not many available, so I reckon
the Volvo is the one.

I looked at an R plate (1998 Reg for non-UK readers) V70 2.5 10v with
148,000 miles on the clock.

It was a manual, and was in good condition for its age/mileage. Only fault
I could find was the rear wiper/washer not working - although the garage
told me they would fix that.

Reasonable spec including AC, ABS, Airbags etc.

Is there anything I should be looking out for especially?

or are there any good Volvo forums that you could point me in the right
direction.

There are many V70 Classic's about, many with high miles, but several with
under 100k on them, at very little extra money.

Thats not to say the V70 is still good at 150k+ but you have less risk with
a lower mileage car on things like clutch (500quid job on a 70series) and
the like.

Otherwise-

a) Drivers door checkstrap clicking or door pillar itself cracked.
b) Growling and or nearly knackered clutch. Life is anywhere between 80k and
140k miles.
c) tired tailgate struts and or snagged headlining -avoid car, its had a
fair bit of use.
d) evidience of lots and lots of receipts and regular servicing. Condition
and service history is more important than age or mileage.
e) A/C evap burst. - dash out job.
f) Electric window switch pack knackered- 80quid new, and good s/h are like
rocking horse sh1t.
g) Saggy rear suspension and or tow hitch thats seen some use.
h) Any sign at all that the engine has overheated in the past or been
apart. - avoid.
g) ABS lamp lit, or not present at all. ABS modulator faults are reasonably
common.

Look for the SE's with winter pack (headlamp wash wipe) and the Tape / CD
stereo. There are alot of S's or base models about masquerading as SE's. The
fake wood and the CD player is the clue its a real SE.

The 2.5 10v is very capable and deceptively faster than it feels, though if
you plan to carry passengers, tow or live in a hilly area the 20v is a
better bet, or better still the 2.5T.

Tim..

 

[Roger Mills \(aka Bonnet Lock\)]

In an earlier contribution to this discussion,

Otherwise-

a) Drivers door checkstrap clicking or door pillar itself cracked.
b) Growling and or nearly knackered clutch. Life is anywhere between
80k and 140k miles.

I've had the occasional funny noise from the clutch on my 1999 V70 2.5D for
over 2 years. It sometimes makes a sort of squeeling noise as it is engaged
when starting from rest. It only does it occasionally - but more often in
very cold or damp conditions. It first did it at 4 years old (about 40,000
miles) and has done it on and off ever since.

Can anyone throw any light on what it might be? I would have thought that if
the release bearing were knackered, it would do it all the time.
--
Cheers,
Roger
______
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Reply address IS valid, but is disposable in the event of excessive
spam.

 

[Tim..]

In an earlier contribution to this discussion,


I've had the occasional funny noise from the clutch on my 1999 V70 2.5D for
over 2 years. It sometimes makes a sort of squeeling noise as it is engaged
when starting from rest. It only does it occasionally - but more often in
very cold or damp conditions. It first did it at 4 years old (about 40,000
miles) and has done it on and off ever since.

Can anyone throw any light on what it might be? I would have thought that if
the release bearing were knackered, it would do it all the time.

Its either a dry release bearing or more likely the input shaft dry and the
teflon coating wearing off. It'll probably soldier on for many many more
miles yet, so I wouldnt worry.

Tim..

 

[mjo]

I bought a 2002 v70 2.4 Petrol with 117,000 miles on it just under a
year ago on recommendation from a friend its now done 140,000 miles it
goes well and fully volvo serviced. (it was not the plan to do so many
miles !)

Only thing to break like so many others was the clutch, could not
really complain seemed to be the original, lots of MW miles, Volvo
replaced for £600 ouch, but now lovely again.

My suggestions, make sure whatever you buy has a fvsh and if you are
buying a hih miler, see if you can find out its history we know ours
lived on the MW before we bought it. And go for the the better models,
though little extras are worth paying for and make it a nice car.

Hope this helps