High milage V70

[Gary_374358511]

Good morning all,

I currently have a 53 Mondeo 2.0 TDCI with 70K on the clock. The car is fantastic and I can't knock it for comfort, Economy and towing but I want something bigger.

I've been looking at 4X4 but with current fuel prices the way they are I'm a bit reluctant, So, I've been looking at the Volvo V70 and I really like them. I've test driven a few and looked at all the specs. My van is 1430 fully loaded so the V70 would handle it no problem(I think).

Trouble is, with my current budget I am looking to put as little down as possible on a P/X or even a swap so, needles to say, the V70's I'm looking have, for the most part, over 100K on the clocks.

I would be very greatful to hear of anyone who has experience of this car at high milage and any common problems that may be occuring.

The car will need to last me at least 2 years and I probably do around 30K miles each year.

Thank you in advance

Regards

Gary

 

[Oldfogey]

For a 2003 V70 you are looking at high 20s for petrol. low 30s for diesel (the 4wd diesel looks interesting for towing). A Discovery 3 will do about 30mpg on diesel. Volvo's are not particulalrly economical to run, many 4x4 can probably match them.

That said, Volvo do have a reputation for longevity. I don't know about the V-series, but their predecessors were usually reckoned to be good for at least 200,000 provided the bodywork was looked after.

 

[Angus1]

Gary, just make sure you don`t get one of the old (don`t know exactly when they were superceded) Audi engined 5-clinder diesels which were not nice things and had a really narow power band.

Check the weights of the cars before you shell out though, the Volvo isn`t as heavy as you think. The V70 estate (apart from the brand new version) actually weighs less than my Passat Estate.

Also, main dealer servicing costs are horrendous!

 

[Angus1]

Gary, just make sure you don`t get one of the old (don`t know exactly when they were superceded) Audi engined 5-clinder diesels which were not nice things and had a really narow power band.

Check the weights of the cars before you shell out though, the Volvo isn`t as heavy as you think. The V70 estate (apart from the brand new version) actually weighs less than my Passat Estate.

Also, main dealer servicing costs are horrendous!

Should obviously be "narrow" power band, but the keyboard is playing up this morning. Must be the beer it had last night.

 

[AdifferentJim]

Oldfogey, I'm not quite with you. A five year old V70 low 30's? You can't mean

 

[Angus1]

In response to A Different Jim, the weight I was referring to was that of the current shape Passat (my estate weighs in at 1720kgs), my previous Passat (130TDI Sport Saloon) was just 1600kgs.If my memory serves me correctly the (not current) V70 falls between the two.

The latter was/is a much better towcar IMO.

Actually, its a much better car full stop.

Back to Garys original posting though, the V70, good car as it is, isn`t that much larger than the Mondeo.

 

[emmerson2]

The V70 would be my second choice car, but that's only because I remain faithful to my beloved old Range Rover. Late 90s V70s are now cheap as chips, and although they may be high mileage, I'd have no hesitation in buying one. It'd have to be the V70 awd for me though. There is a Volvo hi-miles club, and the car must have done 150,000 (I think) to be eligible. That says it all, imo.

 

[7of9]

Gary,

Don't be put off by high mileage Volvo's, I have had a number over the years. As long as you look after them they go on forever. We once had an 850 estate that we sold after 165000 miles, and it was still going well. If you get one at around 100,000 make sure the cam belt has been replaced. On pre 2000 V70's make sure the air con is OK as there is a weak spot with the evaporator which is buried behind the dash. Expensive, due to labour charges. The Audi diesel engine was in all 850and S70/V70 till 2000. It was also fitted to the 2000 on model until the D5 appeared for 2002. The Audi is a good unit, but not as good as Volvo's own. I have a 2004 D5 geartronic which gives 46 mpg solo and 30 towing. The car has a max tow of 1800kg, although that is well over 100%. Pulls my 1366 Bailey with ease.

 

[John_374224558]

Interesting to note that quite a few police forces use V70's on the motorways, they must clock up spaceship mileages. They obviously HAVE to be reliable and bearing in mind the hammering they get even if they do get serviced very frequently, the police wouldn't buy them if they werent any good.