Test drive Volvo S80 2003 - 2006 sedan

Restoring the reputation

At one time, the flagship model S80, like a locomotive, pulled out the reputation of the Volvo brand shaking in Russia. Without a doubt, the revival of the former glory of Volvo and in the secondary market will begin from the eighty.
 

About ten years ago, this brand was very respected in Russia. While the Mercedes, BMW and Audi came to us curves, soldered and dark, Volvo cars were already in full swing through the official dealer network. Therefore, they have become a hallmark of successful people with an unsuccessful reputation. Bankers, officials and educated businessmen of a new wave went to Volvo.
 

Everything would be fine, but Swedes the game broke the 1998 crisis. When people began to count the money, it turned out that these machines are tied to a very expensive corporate service in those days, and German classmates can be served and repaired at a similar price in any gateway. And the lineup of the company by the end of the 90s is pretty outdated. Moreover, the most archaic was the top model 960 (after restyling S90), which always determines the face of a prestigious brand. Against the background of more fresh competitors, she looked unconvincing.
 

Volvo urgently needed a new worthy flagship. And he appeared in 1999 in the form of a model S80. From the grandmother's sofa, as the S90 was, eighty inherited only high sled comfort and safety. In all other respects, it was a revolutionary new front -wheel drive car, well -controlled, stuffed with modern technologies under the eyeballs. At the same time, the S80 remained a real, absolutely recognizable Volvo, which is especially appreciated in a prestigious business class. This is still an intelligent car with an impeccable image.
 

In the market, the eighties were appreciated. She really returned to Mark and former fame. It remains for us to find out how attractive S80 is for the second owner.


The paint does not get off anymore
The corrosion resistance of Volvo bodies has always been on top, and the S80 was no exception. But problems with the resistance of the paintwork have been picked up by Swedish cars from the beginning of the 90s, when the company switched to environmentally friendly water-soluble enamels. The paint literally flooded with foliage from the thresholds and wheeled arches. But by the time of the Debut S80, this drawback was completely emerging.
 

There are also not very many problems with the internal equipment of the body with an electrician and reinforcement. A high-tech European business class model in six years could make them more. However, the S80 at first, too, was not all smooth. Until 2002, childhood diseases were enough for both electrics and iron. However, the Swedes were eliminated very scrupulously and still eliminate them, calling 46-year-old owners to service shares. Therefore, even if you buy a specimen of 1999, it will most likely be spared from growth diseases.
    
Diseases of electrical equipment

S80 suffers from puffing headlights. This is especially unpleasant if the xenon headlights from moisture fails of the high -voltage block of xenon. It is useless to change the headlights better to put their glasses on the sealant. In frosts, sometimes cuts the gearboxes of the phary cleaners if the brushes are frozen to the glasses. You will have to buy a gearbox assembly with the engine separately, it does not deliver to spare parts.
 

In the front foglights from long continuous work, contacts in cartridges are welded, which entails the replacement of the headlights. The electric windows of the windows were stronger than the lifting mechanisms. If the glass is frozen or its guides clogged with dirt, the trapezoid bends. The most sure way of repairs to straighten it and strengthen it with overlays.
 

It happens that the elements of the heating of the mirrors refuse. In this case, you need to change the glass itself. But if the electric drive stopped working, they themselves were guilty tried to regulate the mirror manually when it was frozen. Buy a mirror assembly.
 

The CD player begins to fail if you do not slow down on the pits. In addition, the automatic mechanism of the discordant breaks when it is pushed or pulled out with a hand. If problems have begun with a factory radio, it is cheaper to replace it with any standard, having bought one -day false panel from the dealer.

Over time, the end switch of the trunk castle refuses the mud. The original switch is supplied with the collection of the license plate backlight. It is cheaper to buy a switch on the side it is standard.
    
How much does a replacement cost, euro

High -voltage block xenon 436+8
Motor -editor of the Farolator 187+20
Fog light 145+10
Mirror heating element 73+4
    
Handy climate? Clean the sensor

Most S80 have a separate 2-zone climatic installation. If instead of a given air temperature in the cabin suddenly, it suddenly becomes hotly hot, then coldly, the central temperature sensor, which is in the cabin, probably clogged. It must be removed and cleaned.
 

Another possible malfunction of the climatic is a gradual refusal of the coupling of the air conditioner, which begins to make noise from the mud in it. Most often, the case is limited to replacing the coupling, but sometimes in addition to it a compressor is sentenced. It happens that the rubber -metal tube of the air conditioner loses its tightness and Freon begins to leave. But while the tubes have not become statistics even on 56-year-old cars.
    
How much does a replacement cost, euro

Compressor switching clutch 300+59
Compressor 706+43
Pipe 124+43




The power on volume does not depend
A wide range of 5- and 6-cylinder gasoline engines was installed on Volvo-S80. However, their power does not depend on the number of cylinders and working volume. For example, a 2-liter five with turbocharged can be more powerful than atmospheric 2.9-liter six. In this way, Swedish engineers adjust their engines to the requirements of various sales markets.
 

From European countries, where taxes are tied to the volume of the engine, cars with 2-liter turbopers are taken to us. They are relatively inexpensive in customs cleaning. Such a motor can have a power of 163 liters. With. (model B5204T4) or 226 liters. With. (B5204T3). The latter has an explosive character, telling the machine hurricane dynamics. However, for the purchase in second hands, a 163-horsepower engine is preferable. It is equipped with a low -pressure turbine that practically does not reduce the engine's resource. But the high -fiber B5204T3 for a run of 200,000250,000 km may not be suitable in the best form if the first owner loved to step on the gas pedal.
 

But most often on the market there is a hopeless five with a volume of 2.4 liters. Depending on the setting, it produces 140 (B5244S2) or 170 (B5244S) power forces. Such an engine was supplied to Russia (in the 170-horsepower version) and to many other countries. It should be recognized as optimal. It is quite powerful and at the same time has an even, calm character due to the lack of a turbine.
 

 


But cars with unique in-line six-location sixes fall into the secondary market either from those that were once sold in Russia with new ones, or imported from America, where the SECONDD Hand is much cheaper than in Europe. Among the 6-cylinder modifications, the top version of T6, equipped with a 2.8-liter 272-horsepower engine with two (!) Turbines (B6284T), is most popular. Cars with a hopeless 2.9-liter 204-horsepower engine (B6304S3) are much less common. Although for the second buyer they are certainly more profitable. The absence of turbine means the lack of additional problems, and the power of 204 liters. With. More than sufficient.
 

It is clear that the choice of engine for a prestigious car is determined primarily by the thickness of the wallet. But when buying a used car, it is good to be guided by practical considerations. First of all, this concerns the turbine. If it is not, this is good, since the turbine is an expensive unit with a limited service life (an average of 200,000 km). In addition, in the case of the S80, the engine is affected by ... transmission.
    
Engines in operation

Structurally, 5- and 6-cylinder engines are almost the same. Therefore, both regulatory work and their malfunctions are common.
 

The spark plugs in our conditions serve an average of 30,000 km. The timing belt with rollers is ordered to change every 120,000 km. To the same run (or earlier, as a state), a belt of the drive of auxiliary units with a tensioner changes.
 

In addition, mechanics recommend regularly washing the injections of injection and a throttle block. The former is washed at a special installation (it is necessary to rinse, and not clean with ultrasound) every 30,00045,000 km. Clotted, they can begin to pour fuel into the cylinders constantly, which threatens with very unpleasant consequences until the engine replacement. The throttle damper over time is also growing with mud. Until some time, it adapts to a change in conditions, but sooner or later the motor begins to stall for the discharge of gas (for example, before turning). Therefore, the damper must be checked on each and about every second washed. By the way, until 2003, a damper with built -in brains was used, which has the ability to suddenly refuse. It must be replaced, and a new model with it, alas, is not interchangeable.
 

You can also write down the replacement of the upper engine support in regulatory work. It is enough on average by 30,00045,000 km, after which the motor begins to jump when gas supply.
 

If a knock appears in the area of \u200b\u200bthe valve cover, probably pitching from tarry sediments, the gas distribution phase control valve, which must be replaced. When the hydraulic compensators of valves begin to knock (very rarely), this indicates either a run far beyond 200,000 km, or that there were once problems with the quality or level of oil. In the best case, the case is limited to replacing the compensators themselves, in the worst of the block head, in which the saddles of the knocking hydraulic compensators are broken.
 

It happens that the ignition coils are out of order (they are individual for each cylinder). But only when they are poured with water when washing the engine under pressure.
    
It is better not to contact a diesel engine

A 2.5-liter 140-horsepower Audi turbodiesel was installed on the S80. It is better not to contact such a machine. The branded technical centers Volvo do not have diagnostic equipment for diesel engines, since they were not supplied to Russia. And in the service of Audi for this motor is not taken because for Volvo it has other settings.
 
    
How much does a replacement cost, euro

Candles 5-cyl. 33/66+31
6-cyl. 40/78+55
Front belt with rollers 5-cyl. 193+63
6-cyl. 193+90
Drive belt with a tensioner 120+31
Throttle ditch 582+31/43
Upper engine support 79+20
Phase adjustment valve 131+12/31
Ignition coil 168+16/31
Turbine 1200+142




Automatic transmission? Options are possible
With any of the engines installed on the S80, both manual and automatic gearboxes are combined. However, the vast majority of machines presented on the market are equipped with machine guns, our buyers of prestigious machines do not like the mechanics.
 

The manual box is impeccable. The supply of oil in it is lifelong (but for complacency it can be changed), and the clutch serves an average of 120,000150,000 km.

But if you purchase a used S80 with a machine gun, the box must be checked especially carefully before buying. Moreover, it is necessarily in the corporate technical center Volvo, where they know how the machines are diagnosed correctly and what needs to be sought in them. However, about everything in order.
 

Two automatic boxes are installed on the S80. With in-line 6-cylinder engines, 4-speed, production of Ji-EM is combined. In pairs with a 2.9-liter hopeless engine, it serves for a long time. But with a huge torque, a 2.8-liter turbo engine, apparently, copes with the limit. Especially the gambling owners of the T6 pinch the machine to 50,000 km, and even after 150,000 km, it will require repairs for sure.
 

The Japanese 5-speed box of Aisin (Aisin) is installed with 5-cylinder engines. It would seem that they are less powerful and should less load the transmission. But the Japanese machine gun is initially less hardy with aggressive driving or towing a heavy trailer, it burns faster.
 

 
Automatic gearbox ji-em with manual switching mode.

Japanese Azin


In both machines, both control hydraulics and the mechanical part can fail. Repair of hydraulics (replacing the valve block) is incomparably cheaper. If the servicemains indicate the mechanical part, such a sentence is easier to transfer the car with a 6-cylinder engine, the GiMovo box is at least repaired. But even well -known companies in this area are extremely reluctant to take up the Japanese machine gun. For reference: New Ainizi costs 4490 euros ...
 

That is why, before buying a used S80 with an automaton, professional diagnosis of a box is very important. But even if she does not reveal anything criminal, the prospect of flying on a large sum will constantly hang a ladies from a ladies with a ladies over the second owner.
 

By the way, oil replacement in machine guns officially also does not provide only the control of the level and condition. But if you still decide to update it, know that ordinary dextron is not suitable for the Japanese box. Pour the original oil intended for it in the wolvo package.
    
How much does it cost, euro

Clutch replacement 339+234
Repair of hydraulics automatic transmission
Ji-em 610+250
Azin 1346+133
Repair of AKP JI-EM 16002000
New AKP Aizin 4490




On average, the temperature is normal in the hospital
Complex multi-link pendants of modern business class models (especially German) require constant repairs. On each, then at least something has to be changed in them. The endurance of the S80 chassis is difficult to characterize unambiguously. It has both frankly weak and very durable details. But in general, the situation is quite satisfactory.
 

For example, the survivability of steering rods and silent blocks of the front suspension levers is clearly insufficient. The upper supports of the shock absorbers could also be stronger. However, on the regular replacement of such small things, you will definitely not go bankrupt. But ball supports (a rare case, they are removable) and shock absorbers should be recognized as rather hardy. By the way, depreciators of nivomat with automatic adjustment of the height of the body (installed as an option) are even more durable than usual. True, they are three times more expensive, so many prefer to change them to standard ones. And the rear multi-link suspension, contrary to expectations, turned out to be completely exemplary-fin. In addition to shock absorbers, the first serious interventions, it begins to demand far over 150,000 km, when the silent blocks of the lower transverse levers are suitable. The hinges of all other levers are even stronger. According to the natural wear of the mechanics, they have never changed them.
 

The brake discs do not particularly suffer from beating and usually calmly withstand 23 sets of pads. Wheel calipers, if you regularly clean them and lubricate them, have not yet been cleaned from road salt and dirt. ABS sensors failure is also a rarity.
 

After about 60,000 km, a knock appears in the steering rack. The first two times it is removed by a neatly suspended gearbox. But even if the rack breaks completely or flows, it is not necessary to buy a new one. It is successfully and inexpensively repaired.
 

Therefore, as a resume, we can say that in terms of the survivability of the S80 chassis, far from the worst model in the class.




Buy?
Prices for Volvo-S80 19992001 release of an average of $ 19,00024,000. Corps of 2002 can cost up to $ 30,000 for the modification of T6. This is approximately 1020% cheaper than German analogues of the E-class Mercedes, five BMW and Audi-A6. However, any clear dependence of prices on the engine and year of production is not traced. Apparently, this is due to the fact that Volvo cars are quite specific and it is not so simple to sell them. But to the one who tuned to buy eighties is on hand. But is it worth it to tune in to it?
 

In terms of prestige, the S80 is in no way inferior to competitors from a large German three. And in some ways it even wins, because it meets on the road much less often. In addition, the Swedish brand has an intelligent image, which is important for a prestigious car. Therefore, the main question remains the cost of the content. In terms of reliability, the eighties looks at least no worse than German classmates (the main thing is not to fly up to the replacement of the Japanese automatic transmission). But to find unoriginal spare parts and a qualified service with acceptable prices for Volvo are much more complicated than for a Mercedes, BMW or Audi. Therefore, you must be prepared for the fact that the S80 will not be cheap in operation.
 



New, with a guarantee, for the same money

For the price and size of 56-year-old eighties, the new Kia Majentis and Hende-Sonata are closest. But the one who tuned in Volvo will hardly agree to the Korean machine. Therefore, it remains to choose a golf class among European and Japanese sedans.

If you can afford more fresh S80, you can take a closer look at thoroughbred models of the middle class.
 
Alexander Konov
 
 

Source: Magazine buy a car [06/2005]