9 replies to this topic

[Matty Moo]

It's a 98 v70 awd with 140k. Looks very clean. They're asking $3600, it's Ann Arbor and everybody thinks their stuff is gold, but they usually come with stacks of service receipts. A fairly reputable import shop is selling it. I don't want it myself, my mother in law wants it. But, I'll be the one working on it.

What do I need to look at as far as the AWD system is concerned?

Other than that, I know what to check out since it's almost identical to the 850.

Thanks.

[Chilled Man]

same thing as a 850 just sexier thats it

[jdlc]

Matty Moo, on 30 September 2009 - 01:07 AM, said:

It's a 98 v70 awd with 140k. Looks very clean. They're asking $3600, it's Ann Arbor and everybody thinks their stuff is gold, but they usually come with stacks of service receipts. A fairly reputable import shop is selling it. I don't want it myself, my mother in law wants it. But, I'll be the one working on it.

What do I need to look at as far as the AWD system is concerned?

Other than that, I know what to check out since it's almost identical to the 850.

Thanks.

Could be handy in MI for winter.

However, nightmare to maintain from what I'm hearing here.
Simple things for FWD like turbo return line (assuming turbo because I also heard AWD comes in NA too!), or fuel pump replacement suddenly becomes very hard/complicated to do. And then there's the issue of AWD driveline for the rears.

[Matty Moo]

Thanks. I wasn't sure if there were things I could check visually or not, other than even tire wear between the front and back as an indicator if it was taken care of. I'm going to look at this afternoon.

It's a repair shop that doesn't usually sell cars. The only reason I can think of them selling it is due to an unpaid bill.

[FCP Groton]

I am talking from experience, don't get a first gen XC70. The AWD is so touchy it is not even worth it.

I brought an 98 XC70 and it drove great. On my way home, I blew a tire and had to but the spare on. I drove the car on the spare for about ten miles to the gas station to get the tire fixed. Had the stock tire fixed and back on the car and started driving the rest of the way home. About 5 minutes later, I started to hear an odd sound from under the car and the car was starting to vibrate. I got home and then the next day I took the car to the shop to have them look at the vibration and noise. It ended up being the angle gear. Apparently, driving with the donut blew out the gear and it was going to cost me more then what I paid for the car to fix it. I sold the car to the Volvo mechanic for about a grand and just cut my lose. Got a 940T the next day.

[Matty Moo]

it wasn't an awd. It was a T-5.

Needed all the usual stuff. Pcv, t-belt is most likely due, leaky oil lines, had 215/55's (why?) that weren't in great shape, had codes p0133 and p0422 (o2-cat). As always, needs a grand worth of parts, etc. Oh, had an air pump too that was actually working. No service records.

Suspension was actually somewhat tight with no noises, and drove like a champ at 80mph.

For $3600, I passed. He said they were negotiable, but I'm sure they're not going to give it to me for $2k. That's all it's worth to me as it sits.

[TyConn]

Matty Moo, on 30 September 2009 - 06:24 PM, said:

it wasn't an awd. It was a T-5.

Needed all the usual stuff. Pcv, t-belt is most likely due, leaky oil lines, had 215/55's (why?) that weren't in great shape, had codes p0133 and p0422 (o2-cat). As always, needs a grand worth of parts, etc. Oh, had an air pump too that was actually working. No service records.

Suspension was actually somewhat tight with no noises, and drove like a champ at 80mph.

For $3600, I passed. He said they were negotiable, but I'm sure they're not going to give it to me for $2k. That's all it's worth to me as it sits.

you know what i freaking hate, when people have cars that SAY ON THEM "V70"

AND THEY ADVERTISE THEM AS ALL WHEEL DRIVE
I called this guy once cause i was looking for a compatible body to put my turbo engine in, and he's like yup it's an awd, its incredible in the winter. and i was like "so it says V70 AWD" and he was like yup its an AWD

it makes me want to punch babies

[rodrigo]

FCP Groton, on 30 September 2009 - 03:43 PM, said:

I am talking from experience, don't get a first gen XC70. The AWD is so touchy it is not even worth it.

I brought an 98 XC70 and it drove great. On my way home, I blew a tire and had to but the spare on. I drove the car on the spare for about ten miles to the gas station to get the tire fixed. Had the stock tire fixed and back on the car and started driving the rest of the way home. About 5 minutes later, I started to hear an odd sound from under the car and the car was starting to vibrate. I got home and then the next day I took the car to the shop to have them look at the vibration and noise. It ended up being the angle gear. Apparently, driving with the donut blew out the gear and it was going to cost me more then what I paid for the car to fix it. I sold the car to the Volvo mechanic for about a grand and just cut my lose. Got a 940T the next day.

my experience was the same exact thing.

[Big Will]

Just for the record, there was never an AWD with an NA engine. They all had B5254T LPT engines unless it was an R AWD.

If you take care of the AWD system and keep the tires rotated, it isn't so much of a problem. The main issue people run into is that they're always buying a used one and the previous owner took poor care of it because he/she didn't know and neither did their mechanics most likely.

[mbsl98]

If you take care of the AWD system and keep the tires rotated, it isn't so much of a problem. The main issue people run into is that they're always buying a used one and the previous owner took poor care of it because he/she didn't know and neither did their mechanics most likely.
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I think that there are actually 2 very common reasons for Gen. 1 AWD issues. One is obviously running mismatched tires at any time, including use of the very undersized OEM spare, or running with tread depth mismatched by more than about 2/32nds. I would always look at teh spare to se if it had even been used. The other, less discused, reason is that the bevel gear needs fluid - nice clean fluid, and there is no provision for changing it or even really checking the level. These often leak very slowly, so that you don't notice it much but by 60-80k it is pretty dry. Otherwise, they stay fairly full but get very thick, dirty and sluggish inside. Lots of write-ups on changing this fluid, once you get into the idea, but often overlooked and costly.

Our '98 XC was a nearly flawless performer for 98k when I sold it to one of my partners 4 years back. He bought it for the kids, and it is still running very well with minimal issues, but we both take care of our cars.