A car is a machine with many moving parts, designed to run under extreme circumstances. Reliability is a factor that is determined by use, operation, environment and a small bit of luck. Cars with sofiticated electronics and on-board diagnostics can register faults when the component is fine, but a lead or a wire has coroded, simple and cheap parts wear out, leading to extra stresses on other parts, etc.

I have had alot of good experiences with all my Volvos. I have a 98 S70 T5 that is constantly being driven hard! It rarely sees under 140 km/hr on the highway and weekend cruises at 240 KM/hr are common. I expect to wear out ball joints, tire rods, belts, brakes (!!!), engine mounts and the odd gasket here and there. I take turns at 80km/hr and highway on ramps pushing the grip envelope of my tires. This is a good car... I've only had to replace the things that have worn by me driving it. So far, no complaints! When you get to know your car's performance, you gwt to know how it behaves and it tells you if there is something wrong before you let it go! A shudder here or a clunk there... it is all part of knowing your car. It is easy to ignore something and then get a shock when the simple worn tie rod end leads to wheel alingment problems, brake shimmy and wear and tear.

Change the oil often.... I do sytnetic @ 5000km
BadBUZz!
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1998 S70 T5Se Silver, 102,000 Km