Volvo 850 or V70 T5. Anything to look for when buying?

[Aero-M]

I need a cheap estate for a few months but with a little bit of go, Im looking at either an 850 or v70 T5 model, they are both getting old and all have 120+k on them.

 

Do they suffer any real problems, are they going to be a money pit at this sort of age an mileage? I know people don't worry about mileage with supra's so i'm hoping these are the same.

 

Or can anyone think of something else thats as big and still goes alright? I thought about Impreza wagons's like a wrx or uk 2000 but don't think they are very big and thought they were very unreliable?

[Dnk]

I recently sold an S reg V70 estate and when it went through the mot if failed on cracked rubber brake hoses and had an advisory on rear suspension bushes.

 

It had done 100k.

[Wez]

How about a scoobie legacy, if left standard they go alright and should be reliable, there is also the Audi AllRoad which is huge.

[Dnk]

I had a Legacy Estate and it suffered with a gearbox oil leak, went okay other than that but the dealer had it back as it was a few quid to fix so i had my cash back, also dont think it was anything like as big as the Volvo.

[Aero-M]

Seen a couple for sale at the right sort of money, both have been the twin turbo models and do look a little bit bigger than the Impreza.

[CanisLupus]

Mileage should not be a Problem. The T5 Motor and M56 Gearbox are almost bullet Proof. And at 120k Miles the engine has just been broken in.

[GreaseMonkey]

Things I would be looking for on the 850, or what I've replaced/ repaired from memory/ owner experience on my 850R Estate, which I still currently own, would be:

 

Front & Rear Brake Hoses - Cracked/ Perishing

 

Rear anti roll bar - as plate end on passsenger side cracks/ breaks, Anti roll bar when pulled will be loose/ move back & forth quite a bit if broken. And Heavy rear tyre wear on inner edges.

 

Rear Suspension Spring Bump stop mounting clips break, letting it float around inside the spring

 

Check to see if the Pressure Cap on the coolant tank/ resevoir is a modified turqoise green colour, as the Grey ones used to get a hairline fracture and let go/ loose pressure big style when hot.

 

Check to see if the Heated Seat Recall has been carried out (if fitted)

 

Check the ABS & TRACS Lights go out, and don't come on when the car is warmed up as this is a common fault with the ABS TRACS ECU or Ignition switch, it can be repaired but is expensive new.

 

Front Calipers seizing

 

Rear Boot Gas Struts hold the boot lid up

 

Check the Radio Security code is availible/ still present

 

Auxillary belt squeel when Cold - Auxillary Belt Tensioner & Serpentine Belt worn requires new.

 

Heater Matrix - Isn't leaking, Common fault, awkward big job to do, windows condensate when heaters/ fan switched on.

 

A/C works - A/C Evaporator behind dash corrodes/ leaks

 

Turbo models - Oil return feed pipe between Turbo and Sump weep, requiring new Gasket & Seal.

 

The Drivers Door Check Strap on the car body side, the metal it mounts to splits/ fractures, requiring welding back up.

 

for more Checks/ Tips see this site :http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=16