Faults:

Fuel injectors needed reclamping.

New fuel computer.

Aircon didn’t work.

Required a new alternator.

I was able to replace or repair all these things with very little effort and very cheaply.

I had to replace the rear number when someone rammed into me - but his insurance paid for the bumper.

General Comments:

I had two of these cars - both were short throw, four speed manual gearboxes. They easily thrashed 5.0 litre V8 Toranas and Commodores off - and generally beat them in most real world tests in terms of sophistication, build and drivability. Probably due to the fuel injection vs carburettors of the Toranas/Commodores.

The cutout was outstanding - leather, very adjustable and comfortable. Naturally a more (armoured) touring car, so a fair bit of body roll.

I actually flipped one end on end and walked away from it - selling it as a going vehicle.

Faults:

Window regulators, where they fix to the glass, have a tendency to rust and part company.

The brake master cylinders wear out as normal wear and tear, and I suspect will happen more often when you don't go to the trouble of bleeding the brakes routinely.

Not surprisingly the leather seats crack and wear as they get older. The seats are very comfortable and have a good range of adjustments, including lumbar support.

Engine and drive-line are pretty much bullet proof. The fibre timing gear tends to have a limited life and will produce a rattle as they wear (sounds like a terminal death rattle), but not a big deal to fix. Best solution for this is to locate a set of steel gears, which was a genuine part as fitted to some later fuel injected cars, I think.

The M400 and M410 gearboxes are great, if not a little heavy (over-engineered) and deliberate to use. I upgraded the M400 4 speed original to the M410 overdrive box and this makes the car a superb highway car. The car also has a limited slip differential, which contributes to excellent handling and traction, if not sometimes exciting over-steer. The spider shafts are prone to cracking in LSDs.

The car is fitted with a Volvo trible SU manifold and carburettors, which I have become quite adept at tuning and balancing over the years. The manifold I think originated from Volvo Penta marine (?) and is an improvement from the standard twin Strombergs.

I also upgraded the standard front discs from solid to ventilated with ATE calipers from a later 164, and these never let you down.

General Comments:

These cars are under rated, and unfortunately you don't see many on the road any more. Heaps of fun to drive, and with a little tweak will handle beautifully. I have replaced bushes, rubbers and ball joints, plus upgraded the front sway bar and put a bar on the rear (not standard fit item). Koni shocks are worth the money. With the 4 wheel disks and coil suspension, mated to a sound design and construction, you have something worth working with.

While Volvos are considered by most to be rather uncool, you can have a lot of fun in a 164 at a very reasonable cost.

Faults:

Transmission wore out at 230,000km. Overhauled and serviced, it lasted the life of the car.

Airconditioner ran out of gas.

Rear discs wore thin. Replaced at 240,000km.

Windscreen wipers motor burned out after switch got jammed. Easy to fix.

Engine eventually became rather smoky at 460,000km.

I stopped driving her and bought a new Volvo S40.

General Comments:

The Volvo was very powerful on the open road. It would overtake road-trains in complete safety.

This car really inspires confidence in whoever drives it. I owe my life to the powerful brakes fitted to Volvos.

The body is immensely strong. It has never, in 24 years of driving, groaned or rattled or shown any sign of fatigue. Do they even need to be that solid?

Unfortunately, the car has always felt 'dead' to drive around town. the accelerator is stiff and the ride is hard for a luxury car.

It was absolutely reliable and just kept rolling along. I love it!

Faults:

Front suspension is worn. Body has rust and faded paint. air-con not working.

General Comments:

Good car. Bought for $175au. engine is one of the best ever made - smooth, lots of power and torque, and extremely reliable. Good old cast iron engineering. First of the mechanical fuel injection models. Uses a lot of fuel, but needs tune up. 3 speed BW35 auto gear box makes the car very sluggish to move, but the car flies once its built up some speed. Car is very solid, and i assume safe. Has a lot of body roll, and wind noise above 60km/h. Car is sort of luxurious, but does not feel like it. Probable one of the most reliable cars ever built (just like every other old Volvo).