Volvo S60

Abyss

Abyss

Abyss

Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
4,548
Location
Nottingham
I have had a change of heart and instead of a Mondeo I am going to view a Volvo S60 tomorrow. I realise it will likely cost me more to run (about £50 a month more) but I think it will be worth the additional 2p/mile for the 30-40k a year I drive.

Before I view the car any pointers on what to look out for? I have spent quite a bit of time last night researching it and searching these forums, but would like any additional advice people can offer:

2004 Volvo S60 SE D5 2.4
2 owners
35,000 miles
£7500

Is this as good a choice as a Mondeo (05-06 plate Titanium X 2.0TDi)?
 
Not sure how it will stack up to the Mondeo, but all the Volvo's i've ever been in have been comfortable as hell, solid with no rattles, smooth, soft and very reliable.

Not sure about the diesel engines though. Seriously, if you want a comfortable car you can get from A->B in without aching i can think of few better than a nice Volvo.

Have you considered an S80? Your money will go a bit further, it'll be more comfy and more suited to the motorway.
 
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It's not the engines that cause the problems.
Someone on here has or has had an S80, which went wrong a fair amount iirc.

Sone perhaps? Search for S80s and see what comes up..

They're also rather large :p
 
MarkDavis said:
35k in 6 years? Who buys a S60 to pottle around town in? Is that mileage supported by the service history?
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Actually quite a lot of retired people will buy something like a big Volvo or Jag to pootle about in - usually bought using daft logic which will result in the engine being diesel powered etc.

So the mileage is not beyond the realms of possibility though I would want to make sure I was satisfied how the car had been used in the past.
 
I bought a 3 and a half year old one with 20k on the clock, which i sold two and a half years later with 60k on the clock (though this was the T5, not the D5).

I all supported by full service history and Carpenters (local indy Volvo specialist) who I had look after it checked it as mint.

Biggest issue with them is the suspension bushes which are made of cheese. Expect to replace them every couple of years (though maybe I had to do it more more since mine was a lower T5).

It will be much more comfortable than the mondy. I have the comfort seats in my 5 E61 and they aren't a patch on the stnadard volvo ones.

Getting one with the winter pack would be good for heated everything.
 
Abyss said:
I have had a change of heart and instead of a Mondeo I am going to view a Volvo S60 tomorrow. I realise it will likely cost me more to run (about £50 a month more) but I think it will be worth the additional 2p/mile for the 30-40k a year I drive.

Before I view the car any pointers on what to look out for? I have spent quite a bit of time last night researching it and searching these forums, but would like any additional advice people can offer:

2004 Volvo S60 SE D5 2.4
2 owners
35,000 miles
£7500

Is this as good a choice as a Mondeo (05-06 plate Titanium X 2.0TDi)?
Click to expand...

Make sure you get a facelift model as the change over period happened around then, no major changes took place mostly visual but worth getting as they wont cost anymore. Definately get an SE aswell as the S and the Sport dont come with full leather as standard.

I bought my 05' D5 2 years ago with 100k on it (ex lease) and apart from front lower control arms and the top engine mount its just needed service items and doesnt show the milleage at all.
 
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mjt said:
How is headroom in the back of the S60? It's quite a low roofline..
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Headroom is not an issue, legroom...possibly. Mine is a facelift 05 with the 163 bhp D5 engine. 160k miles and only the alternator has been replaced at 147k, this could be a potential weak point as I know of 5 other people who had theirs changed at similar milage. Check the condition of the top engine mount as this is prone to failure.

As has already been pointed out check the suspension bushes/drop links etc try and go over some speed bumps and listen out for knocking. Also the exhaust brackets are prone to rusting, not a major repair but will manifest itself as a knocking sound.

Apart from that nothing else I can think of mine has been solid for the last 3 years I've had it.

Hope it goes well for you

*edit* forgot to mention check the service history to see if the handbrake shoes have been changed, the friction material is prone to separation and will do some serious damage, even locking the wheel.

B
 
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mjt said:
It's not the engines that cause the problems.
Someone on here has or has had an S80, which went wrong a fair amount iirc.

Sone perhaps? Search for S80s and see what comes up..

They're also rather large :p
Click to expand...

yeah i used to have an S80, ate suspension components like mad and had loads of niggly little issues. All were pretty common judging by the posts on the volvo forums.

I really liked the car don't but would never get another.

I spent about 200quid pcm keeping it on the road, car was a 2 owner from new (volvo demo then one private owner) 99k on the clock and full volvo sh.
 
Thanks for your help everyone. I viewed the car yesterday and took it for a drive. It is in mint condition and has the service history to back up the mileage. By the looks of it the car has been garaged regularly and very well looked after. There is one small indentation from a car door that the dealer has agreed to sort out and it is being serviced / MOTd (due in less than 6 months).

I will hopefully pick it up Friday and pics will then follow.
 
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