1997 Volvo S70 2.5 TDI review from Austria

Aerial does not always extend or retract fully. Replaced aerial, problem fixed.

Eats certain light-bulbs, especially brake lights; approx. 1 every 2 or 3 months. After I installed a new stereo, an external CD-changer and replaced the aerial (9 months ago) the problem seems to have disappeared.

The cup-holder hasn't broken yet, but I feel that it could have been done differently and better. It is difficult to clean properly if you spill coke on it.

Rear doors intermittently have problems unlocking in the morning when the car has been driven for an extended time the night before when the outside temperature remains below -10C. Caused by small amounts of condensation that freeze the locking mechanism. Have to leave heater running for approx. 5 minutes before the ice melts.

The glove-box developed a rattle. Fixed by sticking two small rubber pads on either side of the locking mechanism.

Coin-holder is great. With the introduction of the Euro, the sizes of the coins are such that the 2 Euro coins just make contact with the lid and rattle rather annoyingly.

The seats on this car are the most comfortable I have ever sat in. Made for driving long distances without suffering from back-pain or discomfort.

The car handles fairly well, considering its weight, and when confronted with unpleasant surprises on the road the car can cope with sharp maneuvers very well; even at speeds in excess of 100kph/60mph.

The sound-system is not very powerful, but the quality if very good. I changed the original stereo though as I found it too cumbersome to use while driving.

On the whole, this is a really great car for someone who does a lot of long-distance driving. The cabin is very roomy and inviting, there is a 12V connector in the rear as well, which is usful, although the rear leg-room is not as generous as in, for example, the older 900-series Volvos.

The S70 with the 2.5TDI has 140HP and plenty of torque which has made driving in mountainous terrain a pleasure and overtaking is not a problem, even uphill. But while performance is adequate, its not a sporty car. The fuel economy is very surprising for a car in this class as I average around 7.2l/100km (39MPG). Last year I had the engine tuned to 174HP and this hasn't noticeably affected my mileage, but vastly improved performance at higher speeds, where the diesel-engine was showing some weakness. This tuning also seems to have improved my emissions.

The car came with 215s (summer tires on alloys) and 195s (winter tires). The dealers here maintain that 205s or 215s should be used, but experience has shown me that this car handles by far the best in winter on 185s and and in the summer 195s give better control in the wet when driving at speed as 215s tend to make you aquaplane if you hit water on the motorway whereas 195s do not.