Greetings,

As a long time Saab 900 owner, I'm trying to decide between the 98 AWD R wagon, or a 1995 Audi S6 wagon. What I'd like to hear is what people think of the R Wagon. Like repairs, problems, things to look for when looking for this car etc. Also I love the performance side of things. (My current 89 Saab is running 21 lbs of boost and flys, but it is getting older and doesn't have 4 doors and room for kids that will be comming and 2 St. Bernards.) How does the tranny hold up with the AWD and higher IPD chips/exhaust? Sorry about all the questions, but want to be informed for looking this weekend. Plus I love the Saffon color in the wagon.

Thanks in advance,

Bill in Denver

I'm another long-time Saab owner, and if they still made the old-style "boattail" 900, I'd still be driving one.

I bought a '98 V70T5M in '97, but would not have if Volvo Turbos had not become available with manual transmissions. (850 Turbos and AWDs can only be had with automatics in the US.)

The '98 AWDs did make the Consumer Reports "Used Cars to Avoid" list.

My T5 is a lot of fun to drive. It's only left me stranded once, with a dead battery (Volvo supplies crappy batteries) but there have been a long list of minor, annoying problems. (Real problems, like door locks failing, or oil leaks, not imaginary problems.) I'd estimate the Volvo's reliability as midway between my first Saab, which was as reliable as a Toyota, and my last Saab, which was awful.

There seem to be a number of problems peculiar to the AWD system. You might want to do a search of the Brickboard archives.

I don't think that a 6-year old S6 is going to be much more reliable than a Volvo, I'd also guess that repairs on the Audi will cost at least as much.

Good Luck!

-Uncle Olaf

Bill-

I purchased a '99 V70R for my wife in November of '00. Very nice, very fast, very safe. I work at Sill-Terhar Motors in Broomfield and we normally charge 1 hour labor to do a 'check for purchase' inspection. This is a basic safety check and recommendations for service/repair not covered by warranty. Also a check for body repairs or hidden damage. If you truly value your automotive investment, take it to the most qualified and highly trained people available. (dealer) Not all of us are lying crooks!!!

Dave the Volvo Tech

'99 V70R AWD, '93 854, '82 242 DL

I purchased a 2000 V70R AWD just six weeks ago. I love it! I've been driving Subarus for 17 years, so I'm used to a good AWD system. So far, the V70 has been great. My experience so far with the AWD is that I drove on country roads (including some dirt) the day after a foot of snow fell here in the mid-Hudson Valley of New York. The car performed every bit as well as my Subaru Legacy AWD wagon ever did. One difference: I've got four new Gislaved snow tires on the Volvo; the Subaru never needed snows, even in the Rocky Mountains in winter. But the V70R has awesome power (261 hp), the handling is quite good and I feel completely secure. Good luck.

Bill,

I used to be a Saab owner too. I had a 9000 Aero 1993 before I purchased my V70R 1998. I have had no problem with my "R" and can highly recommend it.

I have a saffron 1998 V70R AWD with the IPD chip and exhaust and have had no problems with the transmission. IPD told me that the transmission should have no problem dealing with the extra power generated from the upgrades. Knowing what I know now, I would not purchase the 98 AWD without getting an extended warranty as I have already experienced AWD problems.

If you can get your hands on a saffron R model I would seriously consider it. It took me months to find mine, and overall I am extrememly happy with it. An S6 is a very worthy opponent. I would probably take the S6 over the R model, except for 1 thing, I am not to fond of the S6 body style in that year.

Jeff,

Very interesting some more questions for you. What were the problems with the AWD system. What went wrong with it? Also you mentioned a extended warantee that Volvo offers. Can a 2nd owner purchase it, and what does it cover. Besides the AWD problems did you have any others?

Thanks Jeff,

Bill in Denver

Jeff,

some of the problems found w/ the AWDs in 1998 (and very few 1999s and 2000s) were that the shafts (in the AWD system) were out of balance or "not straight" by a few thousandths of an inch, resutling in a vibration felt at certain speeds. That can be covered under warranty and/or a GOOD technician can cure it by installing microweights in certain areas.

Anyway, the "R" is a unique automobile, I just sold my 1998. I had it for almost a year and NEVER had a problem w/it other than two lightbulbs burning out within 7 days of each other and (just recently) my air pump went (replaced under warranty). I sold it because I had the opportunity to buy to buy someone else's 2000 "R" for no extra cost to me. Unfortunately, that did not materialize so I just ordered a 2001 V70 T5 w/ a MANUAL transmission; it will be here first week of March.

Any model year is very good; personally, I do not care for the Saffron Metallic; I think it looks great in the C70 and I have also seen it look great (in Europe) in the S70 R AWD! In the wagon, I think that it looks attrocious and, trust me, it may affect your resale value should you want to get rid of it. Same goes for Emerald Green Metallic. The "HOT" colors for this car are Black, Silver Metallic, Venetian Red Metallic and White.

You also want to find one w/ the Dolby Surround Sound system...amazing sound system!

As far as warranty is concerned, you can take the car (depends on the mileage) to an Authorized Volvo Retailer and have it certified as "select Pre-Owned" for about $500 which gives you nice warranty up to 74,000 miles.

Or, if the car has not completed 36 months of life or 36,000 miles on the odometer, you can purchase a VIP Extended Warranty but that will cost you a lot more.

Good luck!

Yannis

Does anyone know if it it possible to put 225/45 tires on the v70 R AWD? I have brought my 2000 to the track a couple of times and the car performs great, except it is a bit under tired. I've heard that it is possible to put 215's on, but 225's may rub, depending on the wheel offset.

as far as tires go, I wass told 215s were the bigger size, but why do c70's have 225 (or are they235??) on 17" wheels? They have to fit on the V70R, or does the AWD make it less clearance? I but 215's on mine , looks ok, haven't driven it yet, still in the shop getting fixed, but they could be wider. pete

I LOVE my recently aquired 1998 V70 T5(M). I've read that it can be a little hit or miss wiht the build quality of these cars. It seems that if the car was built before 10/97, it might be more miss that hit as the problems seemed to have been worked out from 10/97 forward. Other thoughts I've read on that topic is that most issues have been resolved under warranty by this time.

I bought my 98 last sept. It was a Volvo Corp. owned car and was always serviced at HQ in NJ, so I'm hoping they've caught everything. There were quite a few things fixed under warranty, like shorted out speakers, new stereo due to burnt out bulb, and some other little stuff.

With that said, if you have the car's history, that should tell you if this car is a good sample or not. If it seems good, or better yet if you're getting an extended warranty, BUY BUY BUY that RRRRR!!!

My biggest complaint about my car is lack of traction. Both from the snow filled winter here in the NE, and from the 236 hp coupled with the 5spd manual tranny. So your R should have the advantage there on both fronts!

As for the Audi, I'd LOVE to get my hands on the newly imported S6!!! Anything else is too slow. But that Audi has MUCH more rear seat leg room at the sacrifice of the cargo area. Keep that in mind.

But the Volvo looks best! Sortiest, IMHO.

Let us know what you decide.

I have gotten good service and advice from : VOLTEC

5700 Emerson St

303-293-2600

I have all my service other than warranty done there. They properly diagnosed a rear main seal on my 97 GLT just prior to going out of warranty. My dealer told me the oil I saw was normal, until I brought up the independent diagnosis. I think they could give you fair rundown if you called or took your prospective car there for a check. Anyway, I like both our Volvos. I am glad I have found a good shop to take them to. Write to my e-mail if you want to learn of my dealer saga, too sad/mad a tale to post.