I am currently looking for, and researching the s70's to buy for my wife. I'm looking at a couple of 1999 models. I have a couple of questions... a friend of a friend is a volvo salesman, and told me a couple of things to look for. He said the 98's had wiring problems that caused the head and tailights to burn out prematurely, so look for a 97 and under, or a 99 and newer, so that's why I'm looking at a couple of 99's. He also said brakes were an issue, as rotors would need to be replaced somewhere around 60,000 miles, as well as pads, and spark plugs. Are these accurate insights? And... the GLT and T5 models are turbo charged I see, but have different engines? GLT has a 2.4 while the T5 has the 2.3 with a bigger turbo? Any one I should stay away from? Any other issues? And do you have to use premium gas with any of these? Any info will be appreciated, as I've never owned a volvo before- thanks!

Well, to update everyone, I bought a 99 T5, with every option except the 6 disc changer. The car was a lease return, has 56,000 miles on it. I checked oit out every way I coyuld, including carfax, and had a local independent Volvo repair shop check it out. They found a few minor problems, that I've found out here are common. The upper motor mount is broken, radio antennae needs replaced, but I think I got a good deal on it, $15,000 plus tax. I saw the same model and year elswhere for $20K. What do you think???

Here's my take... I haven't posted in a while but I own a 2000 S70 non-turbo 5sp manual. I love the car. However my soon to-be wife will probably be driving it the most. I put about 500 miles on it every weekend (GA to SC).

1) Use this website to the fullest. Many times you will diagnose your problems on this board when the dealer has no clue. Speaking of dealers, find a good mechanic or a better dealer than mine. My dealer is good on the customer service, but expensive.

The private mechanics know about this site, but the dealers have no clue. I bought our car with factory warranty still in effect. So, I got a list of issues from this site and checked them out on the car when I bought it, then got my local dealer to fix them all. Worked out nicely.

Now for my problems... although they were minor.
2) Squeaks! From the first time I test drove the car it had chirping sounds. This is common and is noted throughout this board. The front controller arm brushings will make this noise, and may need replacing. Probably not universal but it happened on mine.
3) The motor mount brushing was all ready mentioned, it is also a squeak cause.
4) The rotors seem to like to be replaced around 60k. I replaced my back set and still have a few millimeters on the front set. They will go quicker if you use non-Volvo or "harder" brake pads. I'm not sold on this brake pad theory, but I've been told it before and read it here a couple of times. I use Volvo pads just in case.
5) I lost my temperature gauge for the climate control at about 40k, but that was a cheap (well free... warranty in effect.... I don't think it was an expensive part.. I usually ask.) 15min fix for the shop.
6) When braking over rough roads you may feel a pulsing or clicking though the brake pedal. I searched this board pretty hard, and found out the problem. This is the ABS system adjusting for the uneven road. I must say that feeling in the pedal really freaked me out for a while. I only notice it working when driving slowly though heavy construction zones.
Those were my problems with a 2000 non-turbo. Now for the good stuff:

1) Safer than a tank. Although it wouldn't fair to well against a hellfire missile or anything like that.
2) Very smooth ride, especially on those long rides to SC... 250 mi one way.
3) Less fatigue on those long trips thanks to the amazing seats in this car. My fiancé and I love this car's seats. However we miss having a sunroof. : | Oh well.
4) The non-turbo is the same engine but without the turbo. It puts out a respectable 167hp. Paired with my manual (which I can never find for sale anymore.) it goes pretty quickly. I replaced the air filter with a free-flowing K&N... I guess that helps?? I f-e-e-l faster.
5) Classic look. I don't care for the newer rounded shapes. This was the last of the bricks, and we are trying to find another one to purchase... must have the manual though.
6) The engine. This power plant does it all. Its efficient, clean, and powerful. The design is genius, an inline 5cyl. People look at me like I'm crazy when I mention inline 5cyl. My two buddies drive a 99 BMW M3 and a 03 Mini Cooper S and they both are amazed with the engine.
I'm at 57k right now and I love the car. The repairs are minor. We are always on the hunt of a second. I stayed away from the 98’s and still do because of the engine maintained procedure changes and the light bulb recall (even though that is now fixed by the recall). I just see all the bad posts here about problems with the ABS module or other issues and it typically relates back to a 98’. I figure 2000 was the last year hopefully they fixed a good bit of the little bugs.

This is just my opinion hope it helps.

JH

It is recommended that you use premium in a turbo. It will run fine on regular- the engine retards the timing so you have less performance. For the extra 15 cents a gallon it costs where I live it's a cheap performance upgrade. I only put 93 in my '99 T5.

I have a '98 the headlight problem is fixed by a re-call so I would not worry about that. Spark plugs I change myself so I don't see that as a big cost(note it easy to change the plugs as the engine is in line, the non turbo is a little easier then the turbo, also I think '99+ have a distributer-less ignition). The expensive thing on the s70 is the ABS module @ $500 which seems to fail for everyone (I think this is an issue of the 850's also, search the board for more info). The other common failure is the upper engine stablizer mount, it is easy to replace and I used the poly-u one that IPD sells (so now it should outlast the rest of the car).
My fealing is that brake rotors are usually a comfort thing, on every car I have owned (Chrysler, GM and Volvo) I have had to change rotors at 45-60k because of vibration/warping not because of wear to min thickness.
The other cost big cost is tires, they are expensive for the t5.
Overall I am very happy with my '98 s70 T5m, it has a really sweet engine.

Good luck
'98T5M

Relatively poor bulb and brake pad life are common traits of modern (S60, S70, V70, S80) Volvos. The subject appears regularly on this and other owner's forums/boards. I have owned an 1998 S70 and 2001 S80, and experienced both first hand. There are some owners, however, who have reported exceptionally good bulb and pad life, so the issues appear to not be universal, just widespread.

I carry extra bulbs. Except for the tail asemblies on the wagons, they are not hard to change, so not a big deal from my viewpoint. I change my own pads. It is not a big expense and I do it every 15K miles while rotating the tires. That way, it only adds 30 minutes to the tire rotation job.

Overall, I would not condemn the brand because of light bulbs and brake pads.

Hey Rob- do you have to use premium unleaded in the T5?

I too am looking at buying a s70 1999 I have found in houston at a wholeseller for 12,990 How much does it cost to change the timing belt? Other than the front controller arm bushings, front upper moter mount, is there any thing elseI should check? I'm tired of spending lots of $$$ on repaires on american cars.

I have a 98 T5. In the summer I have heard it ping once
or twice using 91 octane (highest we can get in california).

In cooler weather I sometimes run 89 octane with no problem.
Generally, I run 91 octane.

Volvos do need new rotors every two or three brake jobs - I look at this way, they have great brakes, and with new rotors you have brakes just like a new car!

As for changing spark plugs, I am aware that some cars advertise that the plugs will last 100,000 miles - Click and Clack say "If you leave your plugs in for 100,000 miles, they are in there FOREVER!" (They tell you to have a mechanic pull them at least every two years and check them - that way they do not become welded in place.)

Although I have changed one headlight on each of out '95s, we have logged 20,000 miles without any other burnouts. I like daytime running lights.


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3 8s & 2 7s 725,000 miles total

Hey- that's my post above- email me at ronlisajacob@hotmail.com with any info, or answer here. thanks