I also agree, the UK examples don't seem to be too bad on reliablity. A few electrical problems on some, but not most. A very underated car. The 2.4 is not the quickest, but sounds great and is a exceptionally reliable unit - I should know - I have it in my high mileage S70!
I bought my 2000 S80 2.9 back in '05, used with 84 thousand miles. Besides normal wear and tear it's not bad.
It's a slow start and then it gets going, just because it's a 2.9 6. On a big body I think.
I started getting a brake light with a message of brake service failure, which I had inspected and it was the back brakes.
One more thing, the check engine light comes on for anything small that it detects, even if it's fixed. I was also told sometimes that's the computer chip board that has to be reprogrammed.
All I have to say, is just keep up with the oil changes, which is the most important thing in any car. Missing a few months can catch up later down the line. That's coming from past experiences of other cars.
Best of luck to you all.
I have a question. I have the opportunity to buy a 2000 Volvo S80 2.9 from a neighbor that rarely used the car and travels half the year every year. The car has only 23K miles and has not had any problems. I'm worried about seals and gaskets that may not have dried out or cracked from not being used much. What do you all think? I'd appreciated specifically things that I should be concerned with given the history and how big of an issue it could be. Also I've looked up blue book values of between 11-13K for this car, does that seem right?
I bought a 1999 S80 new in April of 1999. I have serviced it faithfully and, contrary to what people say about '99's, it has been an exceptionally fine and reliable car that I would buy again in a heartbeat. True, you have to pay for maintenance, but that's par for any car. What I like about the Volvo is that you get value for your money. Construction is strong; some kid plowed into the rear end of the car at high speed, and his car was totalled; the Volvo looked good and was only $4000 to fix - more importantly, my wife was fine. Also, I think my S80 has the best paint in the business - thick and virtually chip proof. Compare that with a '99 E class!!
I have 2000 S80 with 79000 miles. Just recently, I had the steering system replaced as the seals/gaskets went bad on one side. Also the ABS light has come on. Anyone else has a problem with the ABS light? Otherwise this car has been great!
The ABS light could well be linked to the replacement of the steering system? The sensor on one of the wheel could have been knocked for example? Glad you like your car - it's great!
We just bought an S80 just shy of 80k and love how it performs. But after driving it only a week, the engine is making a thunk thunk sound during and after accelerating and the check engine light has come on. The computer also reads that there is a problem with the emissions something or other. If anyone has experienced something similar and could offer some advice I would really appreciate it.
Thanks!
Have the car plugged in - the fact that the car seems to be running well is a good sign. The emissions light could be an oxygen sensor or catalyst - Get them both checked. Sometimes the light could come on if for example, you were about to stall, but regained at the last minute, the car could think that something is/was wrong which is not the case!!! Otherwise a great car - enjoy.
I am a proud Volvo owner after my spouse, with S60 T5 at a complete standstill, was rear ended by a 2-month old American car (traveling around 45 MPH) and walked away unharmed (the S60 had minimal damage). The american car - not so much! The car was completely totaled, unrecognizable.
Now I've got the same S60, an S40, but most importantly an S80! I recently bought a 2002 Volvo S80 with only 40K on it and can honestly say that I've yet to drive a car that rides more comfortably.
HOWEVER! The other day, while getting a routine oil change the dealer found a "massive" oil leak. The problem could be one of many "common problems", ranging from $210.00 to over $1500.00! The problem is yet to be determined, but with as few miles I've got on the tachometer I'd assume it to be the $210.00 problem, as they suspect.
I will keep you informed, but as of right now I'd have to say that I still love my S80 - and VOLVO'S in general, and with as many hours I spend driving each day, my lower-back loves them too! The seats are comfy and the ride is smooth! What's the most comforting, though, is the feeling you get when you're riding in a Volvo; that feeling of safety, the feeling of "If I'm in an accident I know I'm gonna be okay", that feeling of..."BRING IT ON!" You can't possibly put a price on that! So, if my problem turns out to be the pricey one, it's a small price to pay, right!?
I bought a brand new 2000 S80 2.9L and was very pleased with the car for several years. It still rides well looks almost brand new except for a few door dings. I am always on schedule with the routine maintenance and I recently went over 100,000 miles, but not without costly repairs. Everytime I turn around the car has a problem. I have had to replace front wheel bearings, the throttle body, brake booster, a major computer module causing erratic messages, the air conditioner compressor, and something else that had something to do with the throttle. I can handle the preventive maintenance costs, but the parts replacements have been very costly. The air conditioner compressor and the throttle problem, which was making a noise, occurred last week while we were on vacation in Orlando, FL. I located a Volvo dealer in the area that made the repairs over a two day period. Luckily they provided me with a free rental car. The cost for the repairs was about $1,900.00. The brake booster was replaced about a month ago and that was $1,200.00. I drove the car today and it was fine. This afternoon I attempted to take it for a spin and it will not start. I get a clicking noise that I suspect is related to the starter. I have no clue what that is going to cost me, but I know it will be expensive. It's Friday evening so I am out of my car for several days because Monday will be the earliest I can get it somewhere for repairs, and that is with no appointment. There have been other repairs also that did not require major component replacement. I estimate that I have spent close to $5,000.00 in the past year for preventive maintenance and unscheduled repairs, not to include the time I have to take off from work to take care of the car. I am now thinking about getting rid of the S80 and maybe get an Acura or other type Japanese vehicle. For the price I paid for that S80, I expect more reliability than what I have received. Some of you seem to have had good luck with your S80 but my luck seems to have run out.
I own a 2000 Volvo S80 2.9 bought in Dec. 2001 with 28k miles. I've had a lot of electrical/mechanical issues with this car since purchase, but considering it has 112k miles now (essentially driven around the world 4 + times), and is 7 years old, I assume this to be SOP with luxury vehicles in the VOLVO STANDARD of safety... typical wear and tear. An Accura or Lexus may be more reliable, but which car would you rather be driving when a collision occurs? My answer too!
What has changed my opinion on Volvo (Ford) as a company is how the Throttle Body problem was handled. It's not the 5 mile drive...in limp mode... that upset me (or the window motor that broke in a rain storm), it's the class action suit vs. a standard recall upon a known problem (recall was AFTER the suit was settled with a "recall").
Glad I drive a safe car, unhappy with Volvo/Ford legal team (or whoever advises management).
I have just bought a 2001 Volvo S80 T6 used from Japan at 59k km. I have two problems 1. the red triangle is coming on, but the message is in Japanese. Can someone assist in changing language to English on this car? 2. the Check the engine sign is on and the engine feels very hot when you open the bonnet. any advice, I love the feel of the car.
You can change language on your Volvo at Volvo dealer. The cost is minimal, in Europe they charge about 12€, but some dealers do it free of charge.
I do have a 1999 S80 2.9, with 126K, car drives great, but I sometimes I have to add more than one quarter of oil between 5K miles. It is normal?
Hi. I just purchasef a 2000 Volvo S80 with 150k. I just bought it over a week ago, and this morning I started the car up and suddenly it turned off and made a sound like if it absorbed too much air. That happens every time I try to turn it on, and some times it's good, but when I'm about to accelerate it turns off.
I would appreciate some comments if this has happened to some one out there with a similar problem?