V70 R AWD or V70 T-5, recomendations

It's high time to move up from my trusty '88 745ti to something a little
less falling apart and I'm hoping a can swing a '98 or '99 vintage V70
to park next to the '71 1800E. Any thing I should be looking out for
with these cars? Does the V70R AWD pose maintenance issues? Any
recomendations which model I should focus my search on or something I
should stay away from?

-K

 

If you go with a 98 vs 99 you will avoid having to deal with the dreaded
drive by wire ETM (electronic throttle module) throttle body. They have a
very high failure rate, the replacements are not any better, and are very
expensive items. 98 was the last year for the traditional cable operated
throttle body. 99 through 2001 cars have the ETM problem.

Watch out for AWD cars with different tire types or ones that have had tires
changed in pairs vs. a full set of four. The bevel gear in the AWD setup is
apparently very sensitive to tire diameter mismatches fornt to rear and can
be quickly destroyed if this condition exists, repotededly in less than 1000
miles. Another big ticket repair item.

At 6 to 7 years old, and greater than about 60K miles, the timing belt
should have been recently changed, or if you are buying from a dealer,
should be a condition of sale. The 5 cylinder enginers are an interference
type, and will end up with trashed valves if you lose a belt.

If you are in the vicinity of SE CT, I highly recommend you check out
Eurocars Plus in Groton. They deal only in used Volvo sales and Volvo
service, offer a 1 year/12K power train and 3 month/5K overall warranty.
Very experienced Volvo techs in the service bay, and they thoroghly go over
their cars before putting them on sale. They have a very good reputation
around here.

I recently bought a 105K 98 V70XC from them at a very fair retail price.
Virtually all the routine wear/age related items were replaced with new as
sold - new rotors and pads all round, new Conti Contacts, new battery,
timing belt, plugs, wires, rotor, cap, upper engine vibration mount, all
filters (oil, air, fuel, cabin air), wiper blades, and even floor mats. Oil
change and coolant flush. Pre sale detailing was also top notch, with the
car looking like new.

Shameless plug qualification: I am not otherwise connected with Eurocars
except as a satisfied customer that has been dealing with them for over 7
years!

Chris Bowne
Stonington, CT

 

Our 2001 V70 2,4T just had an ETM failure after 45,000 kms or 4 years.
And yes, it was bloody expensive to replace. I'm still in the middle of
information gathering, but I'm starting to lean to a conclusion, where
2001 models were still pretty much suffering from this problem. I'm not
so sure about the newer models. If someone has more info on this, would
very much appreciate it!

 

Kytis...use this info to contact "the group"...



From: VEXED (Volvo Enthusiasts eXposing Egregious Design)



Good afternoon Virginia, Richard, and Ray,



Things are progressing faster than I can keep up with. One tentative
appointment is with Channel 4, The Investigators. They are interested
in the story since Colorado people are involved. It appears that it
will take "The Court of Public Opinion" to get something done. When
we are ready to go public would you be available to go to Denver with
me? With more than just an angry old man, we might get a better
audience. It will probably be a week or so away. For Richard it might
even be after April 15th.



I also have a contact at Marylyn Musgrave's office in Loveland but
that will just be for me to drop some literature off. I want a letter
from her to NHTSA that says, "Take a look at this and act on it."





Don't let your BRICK crumble

Don Willson

Researching Volvo ETM failures

 

Hi,

I drive a C70 T5 year 2000 and I have also this problems with the ETM. I
heard that the ETM will just be changed for free in US and Sweden, but I am
from Austria. So what should I do now? Is there any global exchange planned?

Sincerly,
Gerry

 

i havn't heard of much int'l or domestic
"plans" to assis current owners...i think
the whole process is just gettin' "ramped up"...
it will be a while b4 the govt makes volvo inc
do anything...they would be wise to "get in front"
of this issue.....goodwill & trust is hard to earn,
easy for a big company to loose.....