2000 Volvo S70 SE 2.4 B5254 168hp

Summary:

Safe and secure -- Maintain to the letter, and you won't be dissatisfied

Faults:

Eats light bulbs.

A/C compressor bearings worn.

General Comments:

Terrifically comfortable and safe. Like the 850 I owned before it, the S70 will stand up to severe usage and a very heavy foot.

Like most Volvos, it's really at home on the highway, especially at higher speeds. The five-cylinder engine pulls nicely, and sounds great, but does have an appetite for fuel in the city (11.3L/100km).

The overall drive is quieter and more refined than the 850 preceding it, although the front end components are fragile as before, and the five speed automatic transmission's durability is suspect, thanks to an occasional miscommunication with the electronic throttle.

Overall, a luxurious and pleasant vehicle to drive, that lends a real sense of safety and security while behind the wheel.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th February, 2011

19th Oct 2011, 13:50

Wow. Was I ever wrong about the standing up to severe usage!

In only 20K, I replaced the A/C compressor (which I knew about when I bought it), a turn signal relay, the coolant sensor, coolant expansion tank, a brake flex hose (which ruptured and left me with no brakes down a hill. Fun!)

Then repaired the exhaust after it developed a hole before the catalytic converter, and finally the Continuously Variable Valve Timing unit worked itself loose, delaying the cam timing, which caused a few of the valves to collide with two of the pistons.

Before that engine failure, the check engine light would go on at least once a week (then disappear, thanks to the electronic throttle being a little slow), and the transmission would shift somewhat erratically from time to time.

So I sold it to a mechanic, and went back to another 850 Sedan.

1998 Volvo S70 2.4

Summary:

Horrible engineering and major problems with the timing belt tensioner

Faults:

Major issues with the timing belt tensioner, causing total engine failure.

Followed all maintenance and had timing belt replaced at 60k.

Tensioner fell apart, resulting in valve damage and loss of compression. Volvo quoted over 4000 to fix. Engine gone at only 95k miles!!!

Volvo knew about the problem with a technical service bulletin, and never fixed this issue with mechanical pulley tensioners.

Same interior complaints with door liners and seats.

Same complaints about bulbs and lighting and brakes.

General Comments:

The car is engineered horribly. Followed every maintenance guideline, and it did not even go until 100k miles.

Volvo dealer replaced my timing belt and did not replace the tensioner, and said that is normal. However every other dealer disagrees. I am disgusted that the tensioner fails and causes the total loss of the engine.

Horrible engineering or great way to make money.

Change your timing belt and tensioner, or you will be out a minimum of 4k.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 17th December, 2010

14th Sep 2011, 09:30

You must have got a lemon. I drive a 98 S70 T5 SE, 312,000, daily, never a murmur. Best car I have ever purchased. I've driven Honda, Saab, Audi (the worst), Ford, Chevy, and Mitsubishi.

In reply to 14th Sep 2011, 09:30

29th Nov 2011, 17:36

The dealer should absolutely have replaced the tensioner. This engine design is going to self-destruct if the timing belt or any component holding the timing belt fails, including the tensioner. Volvo knows this, and every dealer knows this.

1st Dec 2011, 11:44

Looks like your main fault is with the dealer, rather than the car...

7th Jan 2012, 03:06

I own a 1998.. It has 130k on it and it runs fine. It might be particular models.

2nd May 2013, 17:05

I agree with other posters, this would be a service and/or warranty issue, not an engineering issue. Volvo service guidelines are spelled out very clearly in the owner's manual re "the timing belt and pulley to be changed at 100,000..." and are followed by all accredited dealerships.

I suspect there is more to this story than meets the eye, otherwise the customer would have had reasonable recourse.

I've owned a 240 series and 850 Turbo. Both excellent vehicles with design features far and above most other cars. If maintained (simple) they will go forever. My mortgage is in its final year well before the amortization period due to these great cars. Thanks Volvo!

Please disregard overly negative posts without substantive disclosure of all the facts.