1999 Volvo V70 TDi XT from UK and Ireland - Comments

The tailgate interior light switch and door open warning sensor were replaced under warranty.

The front brake discs were replaced under warranty at about 25,000 miles.

Dealer servicing quite expensive, but thorough. Very good warranty from new, or nearly new (in the UK).

The car was bought because I drive a lot of miles annually and I needed economy, safety and comfort. It has lived up to all my expectations.

I have always had diesel engined cars, for the economy and torque, and this is the best I've ever had. The only competitors would be:

Audi A6 2.5 TDi Avant, but I found the handling less taught than the Volvo.

BMW 530d Touring, but very expensive and I haven't brought myself to test drive one.

The interior is excellent, very comfortable (more comfortable than a colleagues Mercedes S500 for a passenger). I would prefer more storage spaces, as we have 2 little boys and the car is an able family car.

I get between 45 and 55 miles per gallon and can cruise along the motorways all day with no fatigue for car or driver. Being able to drive from London to Frankfurt on one tank also helps.

The leather interior cleans up beautifully and resists the wear and tear that small boys can cause. I also routinely transport computer equipment and can load the car up like a van with very little effect on handling.

I love it!

I love mine too, how fast can you get to 60, if you are ever in cumbria email me (thicknick@retard.co.uk) I would like to meet you.

I thank Steven for what appears to be a balanced view. I am shortly picking up an XLT Tdi 99T. I hope it lives up to these standards. As a high miler, when did you have the belt changed? Also could thicknick@retard.co.uk please comment on how fast his gets to 60 on average? Are there show rallies for V70 owners only?

(Ps Hope to submit comments on mine after my week long trip down to Devon & Cornwall,from London)

I've just got rid in June 2002 of 1999 V70 2.5 20V XLT Automatic, it was a lovely looking car, but the seats were the most uncomfortable I've ever had. In the end that was the deciding factor to return the car at the end of the three year lease. 40,000 trouble free miles, but my backside just couldn't take anymore of the drivers seat. Other owners and magazoines have given the car good comfort write-up, however in each case the car has had the expensive (optional) leather seats. So the moral seems to be only get with the leather seats and you should have an excellent car. Even the petrol models return good miles per gallon, on good motorway run you should see 37 mpg.

An update to my initial entry at 80,000 miles a couple of years ago:-

Now covered 125,000 miles. Problems since 80K:

reduction in performance due to clogging of oxygen sensor in air intake, replaced for £40 at about 85k miles, now ready to be replaced again, probably due to a K&N air filter not fully removing smoke particles.

At 110,000 the flywheel showed signs of distress and we discovered a couple of minor crank seal leakages at service. Service cost £1400! This was at a good independent garage, but not bad when you consider the mileage and generally reasonable independent service costs.

Comfort and economy still great, we now have 3 sons and two of them love to sit in the rear seats which fold up from the floor. The integral child seat is very handy too, for those unscheduled school collections. Interior good as new, just a few knocks on the edges of door trim.

I have had a Volvo roofbox (Thule) for a year or so and this greatly adds to the flexibiltiy, I can carry 4 adults, one baby and two small boys in comfort and with decent luggage.

Wheels and tyres changed to 16", worse fuel economy and better cornering (no surprise!).

I travel far less than before, about 15,000 a year (used to do about 45k) and the fuel economy is not so good on the short runs.

Overall I still believe the car to be a great vehicle for a family, or yomping across to Stuttgart from Wolverhampton full of computers for a conference in one day - very versatile!