2004? run away!

 

Re: S60R as a reliable DD... am I making a mistake? (smbstyle)

Some light reading...

http://forums.swedespeed.com/zerothread?id=95583

Man, I love my V70R, but there are some things I DON'T love.

To summarize:

Angle gear (potential for $$$$$$ repair)
Slave cylinder (potential for $$$$$$ repair)
Exhaust Bracket of Death (potential for $$$$$$ repair)
Stupid Turning Radius
4C $truts (potential for $$$$$$ repair)
Everything is software controlled - Dealer Only
Wheel hubs
Spring seats
Control Arm bushings
Summer Heat Soak
Potential for droopy lip (Parking lot blocks)

Having said that, it's the finest caR I've ever owned (with my extended warranty of course

)

I know I forgot something, but it's just a summary.

Worry free DD, maybe not, IMHO.

 

Personally, I believe the R is a great, reliable DD. The car seems to be what you are looking for, not to mention those were the same specs I was looking for. Its most definitely fun to drive, sporty, refined, and practical. Its quick, handles great, and has a good amount of torque. Everyone here would have to agree to that, and can't deny the R cars are fun to drive, especially when its pushed a little bit.

On the issues of it being reliable and dependable, everyone here is gonna have a different story. Some owners have had numerous, common problems with their R's, while others have not. All you can do is take a detailed look at the service history on the car and evaluate it for yourself. The car needs to be taken care of and maintained on a regular basis. These cars are rather easy to work on as well if your an experienced DIY'er.

Got any pictures of your KB'ed Cobra? I use to own a Vortech S/C'ed '02 GT. I miss Mustangs!

 

Re: (rollerskatenate)

If it has no mods, and you never mod it, then you should have little trouble.

 

Re: S60R as a reliable DD... am I making a mistake? (redalrt)

I may only have had my V70R for a few months, and while it has given me a few hicups here and there, I think it's no worse than any other high performance sedan out there. I was looking at buying an E39 M5 and I think the V70R was a better choice.

IMHO, if your looking for something fun to drive and used, you're going to have to sacrific some reliability...for sure it won't be a Rav4 lol

Even new, my dads CLS 63 AMG has a million problems...

 

My car has been reliable and has never left me stranded. I have an extended warranty, which has saved me from some expensive repairs (struts). However, for the most part my problems have been minor electrical issues (window stopped working, sunroof, dome lights, etc.) all of which were annoying but did not leave me stranded. Not a single problem with the engine, transmission, or awd since the car has been in my ownership (bought with ~47k iirc, now has almost 66k).

The little quirks can be annoying, but at the end of the day I love driving my caR everyday.

 

Re: S60R as a reliable DD... am I making a mistake? (smbstyle)

I have been daily driving 100kms/day my 2004 S60R since they day I got it. I have had no issues aside from parking shoes locking up and regular maintainance items. Oh the passenger window did fall off its track once. *knock on wood*

Henry

 

Re: S60R as a reliable DD... am I making a mistake? (redalrt)

Quote, originally posted by redalrt »

Some light reading... http://forums.swedespeed.com/zerothread?id=95583 Man, I love my V70R, but there are some things I DON'T love. To summarize: Angle gear (potential for $$$$$$ repair) $3,500 - covered by CPO Slave cylinder (potential for $$$$$$ repair) replaced at 45K for $2,500 Exhaust Bracket of Death (potential for $$$$$$ repair) took off the first day I got the car Stupid Turning Radius Not really thaaaaat bad, and I drive around tight spaces in NYC 4C $truts (potential for $$$$$$ repair) Already have $ set aside for that, as i know that's coming. Everything is software controlled - Dealer Only No need for that - Autotech! Wheel hubs rear bearings are howling...need to replace soon Spring seats replaced with lowering springs Control Arm bushings Replaced by CPO Summer Heat Soak will be tackled by FMIC Potential for droopy lip (Parking lot blocks) VERY careful Having said that, it's the finest caR I've ever owned (with my extended warranty of course ) I know I forgot something, but it's just a summary. Worry free DD, maybe not, IMHO.

That's a good rundown of what can/will go wrong.
I included my notes in BOLD

Basically....I'm a prime example of Rs Murphy's law...if something can go wrong - it will

Modified by tomedkaz at 11:24 AM 3-29-2010

 

Re: S60R as a reliable DD... am I making a mistake? (lowenhart)

While I have had a couple of the known issues here, like angle gear and bad coil, I will give the R credit for the fact it remained drivable through it all.

Even when the AWD is completely FUBAR the car will not leave you stranded.

Plus mine is modded and I beat on it daily and despite that it took me almost 40K miles on top of the 50K it had when I bought it to break the angle gear collar.

If you are a car person but are looking for a well performing family wagon its hard to beat the R.

 

Re: (inteller)

can you elaborate on "2004? run away!" ????

also, should i get an aftermarket warranty for this thing to cover my butt in case of these issues, since it seems like they all happen, just a matter of when?

I dont plan on doing many engine mods - maybe exhaust and a few things here and there, but I'm sure will be switching out brake pads going to auto-x or hpde events.

I'll try to post up pics of my Cobra for the person who asked earlier! i got a bunch of vids on youtube; under user "smbstyle"

Modified by smbstyle at 1:07 PM 3-29-2010

 

Re: (smbstyle)

Quote, originally posted by smbstyle »

can you elaborate on "2004? run away!" ????

Disregard his message....
2005 and up has minor cosmetic updates.
2006-2007 had a diffrent Auto Transmission and a pre-charged Haldex system
2004 have "older" software...whatever that means.

Either way, if you find a good 2004 - get it - I'm very happy with mine.
2004's have bigger, more comfortable seats.

 

+1, there's nothing that bad about a well sorted 04 R.

They just are the oldest and may not have all the upgrades that have been performed over the years.

As far as the extended warranty goes, from what people here have been posting about their cost you are probably better off just keeping the money in the bank. If something breaks, spend it then, if not you are ahead.

Though some of us break our R's or have issues with them, the majority of them do make it through their lifetime without any serious issues.

 

Re: (StealthyS60R)

I see you are over in St. Pete! I was just at the GP this weekend and saw the World Challenge K-Pax racing S60R's.... totally blew my mind. They were putting buslengths on the Porsches, GTRs, Corvettes and Vipers... I could not believe it!

Also, do you know of any reputable dealerships and performance shops in this area for the S60Rs?

 

Re: (smbstyle)

I live right by downtown St Pete but didn't visit or work the GP this year.

I had no idea there was anything but indy cars this year assuming you're not yanking our chain about an R being there, lol.

I had a good local area tuner shop put an aftermarket FMIC on the car for me, LHT Performance. Pleased with their work so far.

I've had my share of bad experiences with Volvo Village and Tampa Volvo so I've been giving my business to Ferman Volvo lately. Then again even they couldn't track down my recent issues related to a bad coil.

 

Re: S60R as a reliable DD... am I making a mistake? (smbstyle)

Don't know about how dependable are 2005 Toyotas but if it is even close to the 4th gen Camry's (97-2001) - I've own one since 96, and you are expecting the same then the R might disappoint you.

I'm not saying not to buy. I'm saying buy knowing what you are buying - set the right expectations and you'll be a happy owner.

So unlike Toyotas, Volvos costs a lot more to maintain even if nothing breaks. The service intervals are more often and unlike Toyota, not doing the service can cost you a lot down the road.

There are advantages going with a latter model R because many of the problems in 2004 model were fixed and there are a few improvements like the instant/recharged diff and more powerful ECU, besides cosmetic stuff.

If you go with the 2004 make sure that all the TNN have been applied before you pay for the car. Don't just trust the dealer saying they were. They might say that the TNN should be applied if the car needs it and they think the car does not. The only exception to this is the suspension patch. The best will be not having it and for you to decide after you drive the car (and experience both the bad and the good for a while) if you want it changed (softened) or not. This of course if they offer some sort of warranty with the car.

You should expect the angle gear to leak. The question is where the leak comes from and how big it is. If it is the seal between the halfs then that should be fixed. If it is the vent on top, there is a TNN for it to replace with new design (the original 04 vent is the bad one). Even the new one will still weep sometimes and that is expected. Also expected is very little weepage from the axle seals. I have yet to hear about someone that has zero leakage. In my car it is small from the axle seals and sometime from the vent (in the summer) so the case gets covered in a oily film over time but never to the point of dripping or dropping the oil level significantly. Replacing/refilling oil per service maintenance schedule it is all I need to do. The condition has not improved/degrade over the years as I look at it every time I change my engine oil.

I have my 04 R as a daily driver since day one and has been a dependable car but not worry free as my Camry (wife's daily driver). The experience may have been better if I would not have to go through all the fixes that the 04 needed (fixed in the later model years).

Modified by doru at 3:56 PM 3-29-2010

 

Re: S60R as a reliable DD... am I making a mistake? (doru)

can you tell me what a TNN is? and what is a "went"? sorry, coming from V8 mustangs i havent heard of that.... lol

 

FV-QR

Treat her right, and she'll love you right back. R's have a little bit of a temper, but careful attention to regular maintenance should keep you from being stranded on the side of the road. I say go for it!

 

Re: FV-QR (Evos_R)

TNN is the Volvo lingo for technical bulletin that they send to the dealers. Documents what is the problem, what is the fix, how much labor should be billed, what cars the fix applies to, etc.

Sorry, "went" should be vent as in case vent.

 

Re: FV-QR (doru)

so should I be paying for TNNs or do the dealers fix them without charge?

ah, okay, vent lol

 

Out of warranty, you're paying.

In warranty, you might be paying.

 

Re: FV-QR (smbstyle)

also, is there somewhere I can find a list of all the TNN's that apply for the 04 S60R?

and to the St. Pete guy, yes, the S60R absolutely tore apart everyone in the World Challenge series race, and the S60R team (K-PAX Racing) won 1st and 2nd.

 

Re: FV-QR (smbstyle)

We have an 04 SR and an 06 VR, and I can tell you that there is very little noticeable difference in every day driving between the two other than what can be explained by the 2" longer wheelbase of the VR. Also, Volvo has released several revisions to the SUM calibration (thats the computer that controls the 4C shocks, etc.) The later revisions (i.e. what is found on the 06) is a little softer than the previous versions.

As others have said, there is no reason whatsoever to run away from a well sorted 04. Just make sure you can get service records, and a warranty is a good idea too. Only way I would run away from these cars is if you cant find service or its been abused/butchered.

As for daily driver, as others have said, there are a few items that if they fail, are spendy. Be sure you have either a good dealer or independent to service it and you will be fine. Our cars have been plugging along just fine...

 

Re: S60R as a reliable DD... am I making a mistake? (redalrt)

WOW HATERS!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Re: FV-QR (rgrove)

I have to start by saying that I have a 2006 GT. It is my daily driver, and I haven't had any major problems with it. I also don't beat the hell out of it constantly either. I love my car and would recommend it to anyone.
However, if you are asking for a "Reliable" car, then a 2004 S60R may not be what you are looking for.

The other cars I considered before purchasing the S60R were (no particular order):

- Subaru WRX
- Audi S4
- Audi A6 2.7T (very tweakable turbos)
- VW GTI (4 Door)
- SAAB 93 AERO

The list could go on and on, but these were the top 5.

These may or may not be more reliable, but I always wanted an R so I couldn't pass it up.

Good Luck!

 

Re: FV-QR (MSwanholm)

Quote, originally posted by MSwanholm »

I have to start by saying that I have a 2006 GT. It is my daily driver, and I haven't had any major problems with it. I also don't beat the hell out of it constantly either. I love my car and would recommend it to anyone. However, if you are asking for a "Reliable" car, then a 2004 S60R may not be what you are looking for. The other cars I considered before purchasing the S60R were (no particular order): - Subaru WRX= not as nice inside or out, but a nice car nontheless - Audi S4= v8 is more expensive, v6 is less reliable - Audi A6 2.7T (very tweakable turbos)= actually DO run away from these - VW GTI (4 Door)= again nowhere near as nice - SAAB 93 AERO= not in the same league speed wise The list could go on and on, but these were the top 5. These may or may not be more reliable, but I always wanted an R so I couldn't pass it up. Good Luck!

You made a good choice.