I wanted to buy a used S70. I've read comments in this NG and owner reviews on other websites. I conclude the S70 has major reliability issues and the associated high cost of ownership to maintain. As a result I'm now looking to buy an 850. I base a lot of my decision on the dissapointing reviews on carsurvey.org (links below).
Is the S70 less reliable and more costly to own than the 850? I'd prefer the newer model as newer normally means better, but perhaps not in this case?
Just reviewed your links... Seems the S70s with problems and unhappy owners are the ones with '98 models. It looks like the '99s have a better reliability record....
problem is they stuck the driving wheels up the wrong end and turned the motor the wrong way around .REAR wheel drive is hard to beat ...2x 740 turbos 88 , 90
The 97 and 98 S70's are the most reliable. True, the air con evpourator is the weak point, more so on 98 cars it seems. The Throttle control unit on 99 on cars is a major weakness, and i'd avoid that year for that reason.
The 96.5 / 97 850's were the most reliable of the 850.
Look for the best of each you can find, try them both and then decide.
Tim
97 S70 2.5, 65k, no faults other than electric window switch panel falling apart, but they all do that! Air con still fine :)
If you think logically FWD makes far more sense. Point your front wheels in the direction and let them pull you around vs point your front wheels where you want to go and have another set of wheels push you in a different direction? Make the engine turn in the same direction as the wheels vs make your engines axis 90 degrees to the required direction of rotation?
This is somewhat of a religious argument, both have advantages and disadvantages, both definitly drive differently, I prefer rear wheel drive myself but front is ok for less powerful cars. Transversely mounted engines (as in most FWD cars) I very definitly dislike, all the belts, accessories, clutch, etc are jam packed against the inner fender and one or both manifolds is always jammed in between the engine and firewall, a real pain in the butt to work on.
I have 1997 S70 CD showing 143,000 miles with one previous owner. It has a full dealer service history, and has had no major work done outside of routine servicing. It drives like it's just come out of the showroom.
On 29/9/04 7:39 PM, in article cjdvsu$igq$ snipped-for-privacy@lust.ihug.co.nz, "MB" decided to come out from under the bed and slurred:
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and all this hype (or anti-hype) about the S70, to me, is unfounded.
The only thing I have had go wrong with the my S70 is the rear Lambda sensor. This conincidently occurred when my other half and I were t-boned by a driver doing 70 on an international licence in a hire car.
The sensor was replaced under warranty, so no biggy. Oh, I did have to replace one brake light. I have not experienced the dramas that have been alleged to occur with globes blowing on a regular basis.
Oh, the thermostat needs to be replaced shortly, but as it has done some 120 thousand of thermostating, it is hardly a huge woe.
We use an independent mech who is tip top and doesn't feel the need to gouge us. I can drop in with a warning light on or a concern and he is more than happy to plug in the scan tool and reset lights, give a reading, for nought. He knows that we will be back and word of mouth is a cheap and reliable for of advertising.
I have no dramas with our S70 and I plan to keep for quite some time.
Traction is finite RWD wins... if you had infinite traction FWD would be better I would think, as it would do what you said... tug you in your intended direction.
On the S70 its possible to change the belts in around half an hour if you know what you are doing, and this is a transverse engine. Ever try it on an Audi A4? The engine is longitudinal and should be easy to do right? I suppose it is if you don't mind removing the grille, bumper, radiators etc......
As for the FWD/RWD thing. You're right it is a religious argument. I personally prefer FWD as it is way more predictable in adverse conditions (IMHO) and have not really found too many issues with traction if sensible and progressive use of the right foot is practised. And bear in mind mine is not a 'less powerful' car... its a T5.....
In some ways it is dependent on what you learnt to drive in and had in your first car from what I've found when discussing it with other people.
I tried that in an RWD car once (in the wet with traction control turned off)... did a wonderful pirouette......and didn't even look like going around the corner! (Car was Mercedes C240).
I seem to recall reading somewhere (can't remember where) that 90% of drivers can drive faster through bends in an FWD car than a RWD one, but that the RWD one will ultimately be faster. I'll be happy to be in the
We've got a Volvo 960 at home (201 horsepower, Rear drive, Limited slip differential - no electronic traction control... more power then that C240, and more weight) and it goes round corners in all weather pretty well - our VW's are even beat for manuevering in the snow... you can use the tail end to "steer" the Volvo if needed... of course there is always the handbrake for the dubs'.
On 2/10/04 2:15 PM, in article kXp7d.635$1g5.168@trnddc07, "James Sweet" decided to come out from under the bed and slurred:
OK, it wasn't a complete t-bone (as in middle of the car). The major impact was behind the B pillar and the brunt was on the rear wheel. We were travelling through a round about (and had right of way), and we did some serious spinning!
Yep, car is still driveable (after repairs), it was a tow job. I did have some concussion after it that though.
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