The U joint was replaced as a condition of purchase.
Various suspension parts were replaced around 115,000 miles.
The shifter knob popped off at 140k.
The overdrive button failed 170K.
The air conditioning failed at 182K.
The car is solid, heavy, and a bit sluggish at lower speeds. Newer models I have tried (I.e. the 1989 240DL) are a bit more sprightly and fun to drive.
The car has an incredible turning radius, better than any car I've owned except perhaps the VW Bug. It also has a narrow "track", making it more of a world class vehicle, and maneuverable than its wider siblings. It has an incredibly usable cargo space, better than the Saab 900 (although the Saab is quite good too), or the Land Rover we bought recently, and is therefore indispensable as a utility vehicle.
The interior space is airy, with an exceptional view to the sides and rear (minimal blind spots). The car is comfortable for long highway journeys, and gets good mileage.
The car has never failed to start, nor has it ever stranded anyone, at any time.
They're just fantastic are'nt they? I have a 1982 244dl with 117500 on the clock and a 1986 240gle with just 96000 on the clock and they are like new!
The turning radius of the Volvo 240 actually is tighter than a VW Bug! Happy cruising!
My 1981 240 Sta Wgn has just under 300,000 miles as of July 2003 and has only had one mechanical problem EVER that actually required it to be towed to my home/shop. That was a broken timing belt at aprox 180,000 miles! {I know :> (my fault)
It still gets 18+MPG local and never requires more than 2 qts. of oil between 5000 mile changes. (Castrol GTX 20-50)
This engine has had NO mechanical problems what-so-ever and the only major drivetrain work ever performed was a clutch at 230,000 miles.
There have been minor electric repairs needed at about the rate of 1/year since the middle 1990's, all easy home shop jobs involving the overdrive and backup light wiring on top of the tranny or corrosion in the fuse block just inside the drivers door (terrible location for a wet climate) and of course the wiring running thru the tailgate hinges has broken a couple of times on each side.
Sometimes I find it almost incredible, BUT I AM NOT COMPLAINING!
My 1986 Swedish made Volvo 240 GLE Station Wagon (18 years old) has done about 110000 miles and has only once had to be towed home. It starts first time and does about 20 miles per gallon. I pull a caravan with it and have never had a problem. They are fantastic, I wouldn't change it for anything else.
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