Owner Experience on 97 V70R AWD requested

[Paul Tremblay]

Hi,
I am interested in acquiring a 1997 V70 R AWD, it has 230000Km, and asking price is $13000CDN. Can anyone shed knowledge and/or Experience on this model, reliability, durability and AWD capability. Weaknesses? I have owned a 1996 855T ( returned to dealer a 160000km), Loved that car, only had AC issues with it. I still own my 89 745GL at 334000km old faithful. I could not find specific info on the 1997 V70R AWD on Google.
All comments appreciated.

Paul,

89 745GL 334K KM

 

[Myron Samila]

Hi,
I am interested in acquiring a 1997 V70 R AWD, it has 230000Km, and asking price is $13000CDN. Can anyone shed knowledge and/or Experience on this model, reliability, durability and AWD capability. Weaknesses? I have owned a 1996 855T ( returned to dealer a 160000km), Loved that car, only had AC issues with it. I still own my 89 745GL at 334000km old faithful. I could not find specific info on the 1997 V70R AWD on Google.
All comments appreciated.

Paul,

89 745GL 334K KM

Hi Paul,

My friend has a '98 V70 AWD, but not an R, but it is a turbo. It has been quite reliable, but recently has had a few mechanical issues at 100kms, (Canadian car in Toronto). It handles the snow like a bandit. The AWD portion has been excellent.

The Lemon Aid book doesn't view the 1997 or 1998 models very highly, wasn't the V70 introduced in 1998 and the 850 still was around in 1987?!?!? Because the Lemon Aid book shows the 1987 850s being available, and if I'm not mistaken, I've seen them around at dealers. My sister has a 1986 854, while my other sister has a '99 V70.

At over 200k, I'd suggest having it looked at by a Volvo specialist, rear main seals love to leak, due to clogged PCV flame traps.

I guess $13k is higher than average.

My sister just bought a 1996 854 (no sunroof, we specifically looked for a car without a sunroof), leather interior, works.... We got it from a Volvo dealer with 100k in fantastic condition (you usually won't find older cars like this on the Volvo dealer lots unless it was a customer trade and it was in good shape), and the price was $11,500 with tax!!! They also repaired the heated seat and rear main seal (which leaked) no charge, all service records were present.

I put some used Gislaved tires and Volvo wheels (for $300/set)onto the 850 and it goes through this latest blast of snow we had like it was a summer day!!!!! Compared to my 760, it was ammmmmmmmazing!! My 760 with good all seaons, well, it doesn't go very far forwards, just sideways!! (deep heavy snow). The AWD is super capable, I see them all the time (XC) blasting away in the heavy snowfall, stopping might be kinda hard when you're going that fast in any car!!

Anyhow, negotiate the price because of the kms, the 70R had those funky seats which kinda wear (leather and suede?), but overall, the R is a nice machine.

Hope that gives you a "local" idea.

 

[MZ]

Well, I am rather happy user of 98 V70R AWD, 105000 km: both the year and kms are different than yours: still below please find my experience: after approx. 85000 km I had some problems with front shock absorber - but it may be the problem of Polish roads; the upholstery squeaking and creaking - I have heard its typical for Volvo V-series - not very loud but still disgusting in this class of car (you will not hear it in BMW or Mercedes with even double km - which of course does not make me even think about driving the above); driving is excellent, even now, when we have a lot of melting snow with ice underneath. I have heard that in approx. 20000 km I should have the gearbox (it is automatic) checked.

 

[Paul Tremblay]

Thanks Myron, BTW I sold The Wheels and tires to a V70 AWD Owner.

cheers

 

[Paul Tremblay]

Well, I am rather happy user of 98 V70R AWD, 105000 km: both the year and kms are different than yours: still below please find my experience: after approx. 85000 km I had some problems with front shock absorber - but it may be the problem of Polish roads; the upholstery squeaking and creaking - I have heard its typical for Volvo V-series - not very loud but still disgusting in this class of car (you will not hear it in BMW or Mercedes with even double km - which of course does not make me even think about driving the above); driving is excellent, even now, when we have a lot of melting snow with ice underneath. I have heard that in approx. 20000 km I should have the gearbox (it is automatic) checked.

Thanks for your information

Paul

 

[Mike F]

Hi,
I am interested in acquiring a 1997 V70 R AWD, it has 230000Km, and asking price is $13000CDN. Can anyone shed knowledge and/or Experience on this model, reliability, durability and AWD capability. Weaknesses? I have owned a 1996 855T ( returned to dealer a 160000km), Loved that car, only had AC issues with it. I still own my 89 745GL at 334000km old faithful. I could not find specific info on the 1997 V70R AWD on Google.
All comments appreciated.

Paul,

89 745GL 334K KM

The only real issues are with the AWD system, in that it requires matched tires on all 4 corners. This even includes the amount of wear - no replacing destroyed tires one at a time.

 

[Paul Tremblay]

The only real issues are with the AWD system, in that it requires matched tires on all 4 corners. This even includes the amount of wear - no replacing destroyed tires one at a time.

Wow! Matched tires? Does that mean if I replaced the 2 in front, which I read will tend to wear out faster since it is not full time AWD, it would damage the AWD system, or reduce its effectiveness? Do you know of a source where I could read more? what about the Mileage/life of the engine ( 230K), is it worth $13K and my projected need to keep it for at least 6 more years at aprox. 350000Kms per year? (I dont mess around with service schedules, my 745 is still strong at 334K)

Thanks Mike,

Paul

 

[Mike F]

Wow! Matched tires? Does that mean if I replaced the 2 in front, which I read will tend to wear out faster since it is not full time AWD, it would damage the AWD system, or reduce its effectiveness? Do you know of a source where I could read more? what about the Mileage/life of the engine ( 230K), is it worth $13K and my projected need to keep it for at least 6 more years at aprox. 350000Kms per year? (I dont mess around with service schedules, my 745 is still strong at 334K)

Thanks Mike,

Paul

You need to keep rotating tires to even out the wear. The problem involves the viscous clutch locking up when there's speed differentials between front and rear. On dry pavement with different size tires, this puts a load on the front-to-rear driveshaft, and the weak point is the angle gear at the front. The oil in this overheats, and the gear fails.

Personally, I stuck with 2WD. If you need winter traction, use snow tires.

 

[Paul Tremblay]

You need to keep rotating tires to even out the wear. The problem involves the viscous clutch locking up when there's speed differentials between front and rear. On dry pavement with different size tires, this puts a load on the front-to-rear driveshaft, and the weak point is the angle gear at the front. The oil in this overheats, and the gear fails.

Personally, I stuck with 2WD. If you need winter traction, use snow tires.

Thanks Mike,
I really was hoping to get into the AWD, I live in the country and do often visit areas where my old 855T with 4 snows still had problems ( read getting stuck), I was looking between the V70 AWD and the Audi 100/A6 Avants, I do not wish to get an SUV.... Well I guess I will keep looking for now. Thanks for your feedback it is always appreciated.

Paul

 

[Mike F]

Thanks Mike,
I really was hoping to get into the AWD, I live in the country and do often visit areas where my old 855T with 4 snows still had problems ( read getting stuck), I was looking between the V70 AWD and the Audi 100/A6 Avants, I do not wish to get an SUV.... Well I guess I will keep looking for now. Thanks for your feedback it is always appreciated.

Paul

The S60 AWD and 2003 and newer V70 AWD both have electronic control on the AWD system. This is programmed to ignore this kind of tire related speed difference.