Time for something different, V70R thoughts please

[AndysR]

Hi, new to this section but may become more of a regular.

As you may or may not know I currently have my 854R which I've really been enjoying over my time as owner but I'm getting an increasing itch to change to something different. In this case its a V70R that I've got the itch for. You hear about the various horror stories of autoboxes and transfer boxes going due to angle gear failure and liners splitting but I want to hear your experiences. I've heard that the earlier cars have better seat bolsters but that later cars have improved autoboxes, transfer boxes and electrical fidgets have been resolved. Ideally I'd like an auto as I'm very fond of the 850 for that reason, I'm in two minds about which I prefer the look of exterior wise be it pre or post facelift I think it's more colour that I'm interested. The flash green or grey are my two favourites although condition of other colours would be considered.

So have any of you had an 850/S/V70 and changed to an S60/V70R if so what did you think/how did you find it compared. I've only ever driven 2 phase 2 V70's both being the 2.0T models but were auto, I liked the smooth solid feel to them but they did feel a lot less raw than the 850 and obviously a lot slower than the 850. Ideally I'd like to drive/have a passenger ride in one to see how they feel but I would like to hear peoples experiences of them and form an opinion first before I trial/find one to have a ride in.

This isn't a for sale advert for the 850 so please don't start going off topic by asking I am purely curious about the V70/S60 R range ATM and want some real life expereinces , thanks in advance :)

[Jamest5r]

Have i still got 1st dibs :) sorry for going off topic :)

[t5 pete]

Ive had a quick drive of a manual r and they are a very nice place to be with regards to breakdowns/faults what cars doesnt have problems.
We will certainly be getting one when the v40 derv dies.
also ask stribro as he will be able to give you a good comparrison.

[Ettienne]

I've had every conceivable combination, manual, 5 sp auto and 6 sp auto, having owned 4 now.

As a daily I'd have the 6 sp auto every time. Buy after 05 300% stronger angle gear (still on my original at 145k)

Everything else you should know really it's been talked about often enough, liners split, but piece of pee to fix and not particularly expensive.

[Ettienne]

I went to the southern today in the pouring rain and they are brilliant in the wet also, such a solid planted car to drive.

I prefer the estate, they aren't like the noisy 850 estates, quite quiet and refined, not forgetting fully loaded in R spec.

Fuel is the biggest problem 18-20 around town, but 37 at 70mph so not terrible.

As for comparing it to an 850, I sold my gul as I never drove it and always went for the p2 keys.

I now have a crappy 940 as a spare car, just incase the p2 goes wrong and I need a car.

[Tomcat]

Good call on this Andy, though I can't afford one at present I'm more than a little tempted by one of these myself. They where out of my reach before but recently I've seen the prices coming down quite a bit.

[Ettienne]

Tuning wise my s60r manual produced 337bhp on 95ron fuel. It had been tuned for 35k miles without problem and I have been known to drive enthusiastically.

[merc85]

I've had every conceivable combination, manual, 5 sp auto and 6 sp auto, having owned 4 now.

As a daily I'd have the 6 sp auto every time. Buy after 05 300% stronger angle gear (still on my original at 145k)

Everything else you should know really it's been talked about often enough, liners split, but piece of pee to fix and not particularly expensive.

is that the higher tax bracket??

[JUDGENINJA]

D6 hybrid? 280BHP.....but £30-37k....

[Ettienne]

Mine is registered 7th march 2006 on the 14th it went up to £480 a year (or close to that) so I am lucky, probably have the closest to the tax increase.

[Santa]

I'm willing to be corrected on any of the following, just my observations.

Autobox S60R/V70R's tend to have less issues relating to Angle gear/splines failing due to stress. (Though as the cars get older failures may occur more now do to lack of servicing).

I've not known of split liners in a standard car........touching wood, mine have never failed but that might be the luck of the draw.

Electrical gremlins can be a nightmare.

If buying, take someone who has owned a S60R/V70R before, especially in terms of suspension checking.

Think I'd opt for the better autobox over the better seats. (Just check the heated seats actually work).

[Ettienne]

Liners seem to split from 90k onwards, just from what I've seen, my auto split at 142k

I'd agree with less stress on angle gear as it's not able to be launched i.e with clutch.

Steer well clear of the 5sp autos.

So it's really 05-06 era you want to buy in

[S70T5Chris]

I went from the S70 T5 to the S60R. It took me a good year or so to commit to getting rid of the S70 after I bought it.

In standard form the P2 R's are pretty dull to drive. As an every day car, they're very good. Comfy, refined, fast, not overly expensive to repair anymore and sensible on fuel for what it is. But for fun factor, even a fairly high modified one, they are not a patch on the P1's. You'll miss the 850 for certain - unless you can keep both?

The main "issues" are very well known now, but none of which cost a huge amount to put right these days. The angle gear being the worst, but as said the autos seem to suffer less, and the later cars have a stronger angle gear, they do still go, but it is less common. My angle gear was fine when I bought the car, but TW had the collar welded to the angle gear itself, theoretically it should never fail - so far so good! Getting the liners shimmed is around £600 (I think!) with TW, and can be done in a day. I'd do this straight away If I were to buy a P2R. I think Tim did 3 P2 V70R's last week with split liners, it is a very common issue. Shocks are almost as cheap as buying decent regular shocks these days, so should they fail, it's no worse than any other car.

They are more fussy (electrically) than a P1, but what more modern car isn't?

Mine's a manual, but your more than welcome to come and have drive.

[Santa]

I went from the S70 T5 to the S60R. It took me a good year or so to commit to getting rid of the S70 after I bought it.

In standard form the P2 R's are pretty dull to drive. As an every day car, they're very good. Comfy, refined, fast, not overly expensive to repair anymore and sensible on fuel for what it is. But for fun factor, even a fairly high modified one, they are not a patch on the P1's. You'll miss the 850 for certain - unless you can keep both?

The main "issues" are very well known now, but none of which cost a huge amount to put right these days. The angle gear being the worst, but as said the autos seem to suffer less, and the later cars have a stronger angle gear, they do still go, but it is less common. My angle gear was fine when I bought the car, but TW had the collar welded to the angle gear itself, theoretically it should never fail - so far so good! Getting the liners shimmed is around £600 (I think!) with TW, and can be done in a day. I'd do this straight away If I were to buy a P2R. I think Tim did 3 P2 V70R's last week with split liners, it is a very common issue. Shocks are almost as cheap as buying decent regular shocks these days, so should they fail, it's no worse than any other car.

They are more fussy (electrically) than a P1, but what more modern car isn't?

Mine's a manual, but your more than welcome to come and have drive.

The angle gear may be more common but I've never felt more ripped off than when I needed to get the DEM replaced.

[AndysR]

Have i still got 1st dibs :) sorry for going off topic :)

God knows I've lost count on that front, if and when the time comes it will be advertised here first.


I went from the S70 T5 to the S60R. It took me a good year or so to commit to getting rid of the S70 after I bought it.

In standard form the P2 R's are pretty dull to drive. As an every day car, they're very good. Comfy, refined, fast, not overly expensive to repair anymore and sensible on fuel for what it is. But for fun factor, even a fairly high modified one, they are not a patch on the P1's. You'll miss the 850 for certain - unless you can keep both?

The main "issues" are very well known now, but none of which cost a huge amount to put right these days. The angle gear being the worst, but as said the autos seem to suffer less, and the later cars have a stronger angle gear, they do still go, but it is less common. My angle gear was fine when I bought the car, but TW had the collar welded to the angle gear itself, theoretically it should never fail - so far so good! Getting the liners shimmed is around £600 (I think!) with TW, and can be done in a day. I'd do this straight away If I were to buy a P2R. I think Tim did 3 P2 V70R's last week with split liners, it is a very common issue. Shocks are almost as cheap as buying decent regular shocks these days, so should they fail, it's no worse than any other car.

They are more fussy (electrically) than a P1, but what more modern car isn't?

Mine's a manual, but your more than welcome to come and have drive.

Some interesting feedback and the offer of a drive is much appreciated. Your Southampton way aren't you? I'm going to try and get along to one of the softies meets perhaps we can organise something around one of these , thanks in advance though, great offer :)

[seadog850r]

i made the move 14 months ago from 270hp (ish) manual 855R with 120k on the clock to a bog standard 145k P2 V70R manual, Whilst sitting in traffic in the 850 a certain flash green scottish V70 passed by and that was my mind confirmed on what to replace the 850 with...

In the last 14 months i've added almost 20k to the V70's mileage and ive had not a single problem other than "consumables". Luckily it seems i found a good one that had been well looked after and had lots of parts replaced by the previous owner. I was looking for a fast estate and even with its list of potential problems the P2 V70R seemed a more sensible choice than the likes of similar aged RS6's, AMG's & M's.

First impression on driving away was how modern the drive and feel of the car was over the 850, overall just a generally nicer, more modern place to be. To this day i'm still not fully convinced the V70 is quicker but i think thats all down to power delivery and just being a smoother quieter drive. Even with now over 160k its still better and more pleasurable to drive than my brothers 40k pissat or girlfriends 20k ££££reon. She will use it any chance she gets and always passes comment on the dolby stereo, ease of overtaking and how the seat moves to her position when she use's the spare key!!

i'm in two minds about spending some money on the drivetrain, suspension, possibly more power and run for another year or advertise it and move on. Ive used it from everything from the daily commute, rally car tow vehicle, rally service car, campervan, road tripping, a storage shed whilst we decorated plus plenty spirited drives into the higlands chasing friends (carrying numerous spares and over night bags) and its been nothing but reliable and enjoyable!

A P2 is surely the natural progression from the 8 series......(ive never been taken with the P1 body style for some reason)

[Craigy t5]

Had our v70r nearly 3 years in which time its had, new front shockers, alarm siren, boost control solenoid, and the awd has gone bang now ( hope its just the sleeve),,,
Needs rear brakes, front droplink and abs rings,,, the car has served us well and never let us down, only downside is the turning circle

[massivewangers]

I know this is a bit irrelevant, as my P2 was a D5, but I thought a couple of general observations might be useful. The P2 is a much more modern car but, having recently had a ride in an 850, I was struck by how refined it still felt, even compared to the V70 that was ten years newer. The interior is nicer in that it feels a bit more modern, but the difference in NVH wasn't as big as I expected. That being said, the V70 was probably one of the nicest mile munchers around, especially for what they cost. The level of refinement compared to the Mondeo ST220 I had before it, and even to much newer cars, was very impressive, as well as the level of equipment. It was a lovely car to travel cross country in; quiet, comfortable and generally just a pleasant place to be.

However, my V70 has now been sold. Whilst I loved the refinement, ride, equipment and space, it was beginning to become a tiresome car to own. I bought it on 118k and sold it on 145k. In that time, it needed a rear caliper (which meant rear disks and pads too), front lower arms, a driveshaft, one of the boost hoses fell apart, the top engine mount broke, a track rod end had to be replaced. Those are wear in tear items but, for perspective, the ST220 (which I bought on 114k and sold on 147k) needed an ABS sensor in that time, that was it.

The V70 still knocked like mad over bumps, and developed quite a few interior rattles. I also found parts expensive. It needed a new front damper, and a cheap pattern item from my local parts place was about £150.

Perhaps I just bought a bad one or was unlucky, but it seemed quite an expensive car to own, and not as solid as my Mondeo, let alone an 850 in my experience. I would absolutely love an R, but I think I'd find myself reluctant to buy a P2 again to be honest.

[jamesy12345]

I had an 6-speed auto 2007 model, it was pretty good. Liners split but it had done 120,0000 hard km's in Qatar. It gave me the impression on being more fragile than say a P80 R but enjoyed it while it lasted

If not for the scarcity of the cheap-tax-bracket-six-speed-autos in the UK I would consider another one.

edit

it was an S60R :)

[Ettienne]

I had an 6-speed auto 2007 model, it was pretty good. Liners split but it had done 120,0000 hard km's in Qatar. It gave me the impression on being more fragile than say a P80 R but enjoyed it while it lasted

If not for the scarcity of the cheap-tax-bracket-six-speed-autos in the UK I would consider another one.

edit

it was an S60R :)

Like mine 14 days before the increase :biggrin:

[jamesy12345]

Like mine 14 days before the increase :biggrin:

No road tax in Qatar :P

27841

[Ettienne]

And cheap petrol!!!

[jamesy12345]

And cheap petrol!!!

Cheaper than water out there. Got about 19 mpg around the town but nobody cared

[Ettienne]

That's what I get 18-22 depending on my mood and passengers.

[Redbrick]

Hi, new to this section but may become more of a regular.

As you may or may not know I currently have my 854R which I've really been enjoying over my time as owner but I'm getting an increasing itch to change to something different. In this case its a V70R that I've got the itch for. You hear about the various horror stories of autoboxes and transfer boxes going due to angle gear failure and liners splitting but I want to hear your experiences. I've heard that the earlier cars have better seat bolsters but that later cars have improved autoboxes, transfer boxes and electrical fidgets have been resolved. Ideally I'd like an auto as I'm very fond of the 850 for that reason, I'm in two minds about which I prefer the look of exterior wise be it pre or post facelift I think it's more colour that I'm interested. The flash green or grey are my two favourites although condition of other colours would be considered.

So have any of you had an 850/S/V70 and changed to an S60/V70R if so what did you think/how did you find it compared. I've only ever driven 2 phase 2 V70's both being the 2.0T models but were auto, I liked the smooth solid feel to them but they did feel a lot less raw than the 850 and obviously a lot slower than the 850. Ideally I'd like to drive/have a passenger ride in one to see how they feel but I would like to hear peoples experiences of them and form an opinion first before I trial/find one to have a ride in.

This isn't a for sale advert for the 850 so please don't start going off topic by asking I am purely curious about the V70/S60 R range ATM and want some real life expereinces , thanks in advance :)

I've driven two modified S60R's now on the road and at Castle Combe and the Ring. They are similar in the fact that they wear a Volvo badge, thats about it!

It's all been said before but it's a newer car so feels more plush. Interiors are nice on the R's, handling is good but does feel to ride a little 'tall' compared to my V70 D5. Do not lower them though, compromises the amazing suspension which is highly capable. Power seems underwhelming even mapped compared to my 850 but then what normal car wouldn't underwhelm! Still very capable and very deceptive.

I would strongly urge having an extended test drive before doing something silly. I did consider dropping both mine and getting a V70R but this is the second time I have come back to the 850 and I couldn't part with mine now, it just is raw and when I sit in it; it feels so right!