S60R / V70R buying advice (again) please

[cragmaz]

hi all,

been researching what i can on the S6oR / V70R models as i may be in the market for one in the next month or so.
i am on my 2nd volvo so far, and love them to bits, but keep hearing & finding bad reports about the R models.
i have owned a highly tuned and modded 855 T5 in the past, and currently have a RICA tuned 2.0T s60, which is pushing 161k, and have had no real problems with it, or my old T5, but i am just a bit worried about the reliability of an R, as i would probably spend upto 8 grand for the right car.
my main concern is that i keep hearing stuff about angle gears on the 4wd system,what is the issue with these???
also i have a friend with a 2006 s60 D5, and he has had nothing but trouble with it, and it costing a small fortune to put right.
i love my volvo`s but dont want to waste my hard earned cash on something i will regret, as i keep looking at audi s4`s too which are appealing, but go against my gut feeling and love for volvo`s.
help please!!!!!
thanks in advance for any info / advice

craig

[Santa]

Not sure how to answer this....I could give you all the buying advice in the world.....you might find a car that fully meets all the criteria and a week later you might get loads of mechanical and electrical issues.

If you want some come back consider a dealer and a really good warranty. Or buy one for £5k-£6k and save the £2-£3k on potential issues.

The S60R's and V70R's are complicated beasts, the amount of parts additional to a normal S60/V70 is quite high. There are also so few of them.

Best thing to check is that everything works, especially the AWD and electronics. Consider taking a specialist or at least owner of a S60R/V70R with you.

[volvokid]

I cant add much to this but bare this in mind, like Santa says there rare and the main dealers won't even have had much dealings with them.

[MattM]

2.4 T5 with a remap, job done :)
Too many costs involved with owning an R for my liking.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201145427059756/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/transmission/manual/price-to/7000/model/s60/make/volvo/keywords/t5/postcode/mk44gu/page/1/radius/1501?logcode=p

[graemewelch]

go to agree with matt. i love the look of the r but way to many issues.

[LeeT5]

Cragmaz.

If you want my advice then firstly, don't compare a D5 to a V70R/S60R, there not the same car nor do they have the same engine, Suspension, AWD, brakes, electrics, exhaust system,...its ALL completely different. Having a D5 with issues is not the same as having an R with issues.

Secondly, Santa and Martyn are right in what they say. Best advice i can add is make sure you take a Code reader with you and read the codes, write them down then go to a local dealer and ask them what the codes mean and what are the likely implications. Don't be put off by what you read or hear...its not that bad. I have written loads on here about my experience with my R and having owned her for nearly two years, its really not that bad. At the end of the day, if it looks like a dog then it probably will be, so walk away.

Definately take someone with you that has owned or owns an R. It will be a great help. They will know what to look for.
Code reader is a must else you will be buying blind and relying on a Dealer to tell you the good/bad news. Not all codes will throw a EML. Infact, most don't.

Other than that...Test drive. Does it drive straight? Brake straight and sharp? Does the ECC work? Check HIDs work (£900 for a new headlight if they dont). Try to get the car in the air and check for leaks, mainly on the Angle gear and rear diff. If auto, check if the gears change smoothly.
If you see excessive wear on the front tyres compared to the rear then suspect that the AWD is not working. The tyre wear should be fairly even - front to back!

This forum will be your best friend for a while. Use it.
Otherwise, best of luck and enjoy!! Don't be too concerned about taking the plunge. You won't regret it. I didn't.

[Redbrick]

If I could afford the fuel to have a V70R as a daily driver there would be one sat on my driveway.

I have MRG in Chippenham close by, probably the most clued up 'R' dealership in the country.

The R package is worth the money, Brembos all round, better leather, 4C, AWD and very clever TC.

I'd fit an uprated intercooler, full exhaust and be very very careful what map I ran due to the liner issue. If the liners went I'd drop a 2.4 T5 lump in as there is a superb MTE map out there for that application.

As stated I'd take along someone who knows their stuff and drive a couple to see what they should be like.

First impressions on driving an S60R was the suspension was a little disconnected, not in a bad way but just different to my V70 on Bilsteins.

Should add I'd only consider a proper manual not geartronic.

[Al115]

All I'd add to the above is - if you're worried about affording the maintenance or fixes "if something goes wrong" - then don't buy one. Repairs aren't cheap on these cars.

[cragmaz]

If I could afford the fuel to have a V70R as a daily driver there would be one sat on my driveway.

I have MRG in Chippenham close by, probably the most clued up 'R' dealership in the country.

The R package is worth the money, Brembos all round, better leather, 4C, AWD and very clever TC.

I'd fit an uprated intercooler, full exhaust and be very very careful what map I ran due to the liner issue. If the liners went I'd drop a 2.4 T5 lump in as there is a superb MTE map out there for that application.

As stated I'd take along someone who knows their stuff and drive a couple to see what they should be like.

First impressions on driving an S60R was the suspension was a little disconnected, not in a bad way but just different to my V70 on Bilsteins.

Should add I'd only consider a proper manual not geartronic.

just out of curiosity, how do you get a MTE remap, been google-ing it and cant find a website.
cheers

[Al115]

Through Don @ Kalmar Union.

[Redbrick]

Don is the UK supplier so call him.

For info:

http://www.mte.se/default.asp?aGr=chLang

http://www.ipdusa.com/products/4669/112072-ipd-soft-loader-engine-managment-flash-tune

[Santa]

just out of curiosity, how do you get a MTE remap, been google-ing it and cant find a website.
cheers

To balance this out, other remap suppliers are available.

[Al115]

Yes indeedy. RICA, BSR, HLM, MTE are the common ones in our circles I think.

[Santa]

Yes indeedy. RICA, BSR, HLM, MTE are the common ones in our circles I think.

Wonder how long a list can be written if we all put our minds together? lol

[Al115]

Dastek, Superchips, SWAutos, Unichip, etc etc. You're not wrong :)

[LiamT4]

For me, theres a few extra bits that makes the R more special over the t5s.

Treat it like you would any other 300bhp awd car, do your research and have a good look over checking as much as possible, preferably getting someone who knows them to have a look.

I would say though, that if your looking for a "fast" car, then avoid the geartronics. Still a very nice allround car, but they aint quick and have the added issue of problems with the box.

[Santa]

Name escapes me at the moment but they managed to also do control unit for haldex which allowed for switchable modes.

[STEVO RRR]

I`ve owned my R for nearly 3 years now and its gone from being a nightmare to the best car I`ve ever had.i`ve had all the issues,fuel pumps,angle gear,clutch and dmf,headlight condensation which was cured by running with the high beam rear cover off etc.etc.
As I`ve said before the angle gear is not a biggie,just seals and gaskets.Clutches go around the 100k mark as do the other parts but when done you should get another 100k out of it.
None of the suspension settings are perfect,`sport` is the best of the 3 but the more aggressive engine map in advanced is great on a smooth road.
They are very fast,very very rare and planted in the snow.The seats and stereo are unbeatable,brakes are superb and no-one including car thieves know what they are.
If you do go for one get a manual with a great warranty or you could buy one privately for a few grand less and take your chances.
As I`ve had no issues now for 12 months I`ve spent my cash on getting everything done.Oils in the box and diffs,AC regassed,belts,new wipers,new headlight bulbs,new plugs,engine mount upgrade,brembo discs and pads,pas fluid changed,remapped,colour-coded paint,front mudflaps fitted,4 new Vred Ultrac Sessanta tyres,SS 3 inch exhaust.
T o be honest I`ve recently been looking to change it and I`ve looked at Jags,Mondeo ST220,Renault meganes 225,Focus rs and st,BMW 330i Coupe,M3
Alfa Romeo but nothing,and I do mean NOTHING,has all the attributes of an R.Mine is totally sorted and I`m off to London tomorrow to see my family and cant think of anything I`d rather do that journey in.537 miles,door to door.
Up to you mate but if you get a good one you`ll never look back.
Steve

[LeeT5]

I`ve owned my R for nearly 3 years now and its gone from being a nightmare to the best car I`ve ever had.i`ve had all the issues,fuel pumps,angle gear,clutch and dmf,headlight condensation which was cured by running with the high beam rear cover off etc.etc.
As I`ve said before the angle gear is not a biggie,just seals and gaskets.Clutches go around the 100k mark as do the other parts but when done you should get another 100k out of it.
None of the suspension settings are perfect,`sport` is the best of the 3 but the more aggressive engine map in advanced is great on a smooth road.
They are very fast,very very rare and planted in the snow.The seats and stereo are unbeatable,brakes are superb and no-one including car thieves know what they are.
If you do go for one get a manual with a great warranty or you could buy one privately for a few grand less and take your chances.
As I`ve had no issues now for 12 months I`ve spent my cash on getting everything done.Oils in the box and diffs,AC regassed,belts,new wipers,new headlight bulbs,new plugs,engine mount upgrade,brembo discs and pads,pas fluid changed,remapped,colour-coded paint,front mudflaps fitted,4 new Vred Ultrac Sessanta tyres,SS 3 inch exhaust.
T o be honest I`ve recently been looking to change it and I`ve looked at Jags,Mondeo ST220,Renault meganes 225,Focus rs and st,BMW 330i Coupe,M3
Alfa Romeo but nothing,and I do mean NOTHING,has all the attributes of an R.Mine is totally sorted and I`m off to London tomorrow to see my family and cant think of anything I`d rather do that journey in.537 miles,door to door.
Up to you mate but if you get a good one you`ll never look back.
Steve

Man, that bought a tear to my eye!! LOL, well said dude. I did a recent long trip from Maidstone to Bromsgrove and back. It was a total pleasure all the way.

[STEVO RRR]

Man, that bought a tear to my eye!! LOL, well said dude. I did a recent long trip from Maidstone to Bromsgrove and back. It was a total pleasure all the way.

Cheers Lee.

Just back today from London.1100 miles and absolutely no issues.No oil or water used and even the tyres kept all their pressure.
I was `in the mood` on the way home and was only passed by a BMW 640.
Great car and a great drive(r)

[Hunter]

Yeah, they're quite addictive. I've had mine for 4 years and it has been the most fragile car I've ever owned, but I've stuck with it, no rational reason why!

Pretty much everything that could have gone wrong with this car has gone wrong - I've replaced the angle gear, the MAF sensor, MAP sensor, electronic boost controller, primary intercooler, radiator, differential electronic module (Haldex), exhaust, wheels(!), engine (twice!) although that's probably because it's running higher boost (now with stronger liners ;) ), along with everything that I would consider consumable - discs, pads, plugs, belts, fluids, tyres, blah, blah ...

The only major component that hasn't needed replacing has been the suspension but, with the car's history so far, I'm guessing it's just a matter of time ;)

If you're going for one, go in with your eyes wide open, check the stuff that others have mentioned, and decide, but be aware that these can be expensive beasts to maintain properly. Worth every penny when compared with what else you can get for the money but, jeez ...

My S60R will become my track car come summer time when my Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 earns its retirement, but my next road car definitely won't be a Volvo.

Whatever, you do, I hope it works well for you :)