Nonetheless, i'd still say the average Volvo engine is more durable than average. 200k from a weel maintained 6 banger wheezil is the norm but few european diesels get significantly past 100k.
There's Ford Zetec and Rovers K series 4 pot motors that rattle like a china tea service in a washing machine after 50K miles.
There's Nissans omni destructo timing chain arrangement.
There's the GM 4 pot plastic water pump pulley fiasco.
A mate of mine has recently got a 4 pot 3 series beemer as a company scoot and it's in and out the shop with engine hassles (he's severely berating himself for not getting a merc).
The list goes on and on.
Modern motors are built to finer tolerences with better materials which is great from a performance point of view but not necessarily good from a longevity or reliability standpoint, as the Volvo iron 4s demonstrate.
All maqnufacturers are having problems and all vehicles are becoming more maintenance sensitive.
Volvo engines are afflicted like everyone else but they still seem, by and large, to be better than many in the price range. Mind you, this could worsen when the Focus based S2/3 series is eventually released...

Regards,

Big Rich.
--
'86 245, B230A. 161k. Old 200s never die, they just live on in other cars.