Wilvo V70 test drive since 2007

The best "Volvo" of the nineties

In the secondary market, Volvo is still wary, considering them cars for thicknesses. In vain. Now Volvo in content is not more expensive than prestigious German classmates.
 
Having been born in the 91st, Volvo-850 became a real bomb: front-wheel drive, powerful motor, excellent handling. Guys from Gothenborg proved that not only self-propelled barges for pensioners can do, but also cars that can really drive.
 
Alas, the car came out with many childhood diseases. Most managed to cure by the mid-90s. But nevertheless, the Volvo -850 became finally worked out and the trouble -free by mid -1997, when, along with changes in design, the sedan received the name S70, and the station wagon - V70. In this form, the car lasted on the conveyor until the mid-2000, and it was many who consider it the best Volvo of the 90s.

Universal is a volvo philosophy
In our country, a sedan is traditionally more popular. But seventy is the case when it makes sense to think about the station wagon. No wonder in Europe, each S70 sold accounts for three V70.
 
Volvo philosophy has always been based on family values \u200b\u200band care for a person. It is not surprising that with this approach, the Swedes became, perhaps, the world's best specialists in universals. V70 turned out to be very convenient and functional. Almost a vertical rear wall allows you to use the volume of the trunk as efficiently as possible. Having folded a separate rear sofa and the back of the right front chair, you will receive a loading area 2.75 m long. It is very convenient for transportation, for example, Windsurf.
 
When buying a seventy -forth today, you can guarantee to count on the ABS, driver and two side airbags, an electric package (glass and mirrors), a central lock, heating of seats and mirrors. And the right pillow, air conditioning, climate and cruise control, computer, seats electroregulation, wooden decoration were offered for surcharge.
    
From $ 13,000 to $ 25,000
There are few seventy on the market today. But prices, unlike German cars, are quite clearly tied to the year of production. It is not surprising, after all, either fans of the brand or simply wealthy people go to Volvo today. Those and others monitor their cars, so frankly killed copies are few.
 
1997 .... $ 13,000-16,000
1998 .... $ 15,000-19,000
1999 .... $ 18,000-22,000
 
These are prices for front -wheel drive cars. Thousands of three or three more are asking for all-wheel drive Country Cross. Well, as usual, cars freshly made from Europe are more expensive than natives of the same age.
 
Motors on paper
It is generally accepted that a 4-cylinder engine on a business class model is a sign of a budget car, and there should be six cylinders under the hood of prestigious modification. The Swedes managed to squeeze the in -line five across the motor compartment, retaining prestige and almost six -cylinder smoothness. In addition, fans of the model especially appreciate the incomparable larynx-metal sound of the exhaust of the Swedish five.
 
Services do not recommend buying seventy with two -liter gasoline engines: they were not officially supplied to Russia, from here problems with diagnosis and spare parts are possible. Turbodiselle Audi is generally outlawed. Volvo dealers do not take it, because they do not have the appropriate diagnostic equipment, and the technical centers of the audi - because for Volvo it has other settings. Optimal for seventy are considered hopeless engines with a volume of 2.5 liters. The one that has 20 valves develops a power of 170 liters. p., and 10 -valve - 144 forces. The advantages of a more steep 20-valve manifest only at high speeds. In the city, both engines behave approximately the same.
 
There is also a 193-horsepower version of a 20-valve engine with a low-pressure turbine. It was installed on all -wheel drive modifications AWD and Country Cross, and sometimes on front -wheel drive cars. Such a turbine practically does not reduce the motor resource, but gives it excellent traction at low speeds.
 
Except for sports R, about which the conversation is special, the most powerful modification is T5. Its 2.3-liter 20-valve with a high-pressure turbine, which opens the motor second after 3000 revolutions, gives out 240 liters. With. True, for hurricane dynamics you have to pay a resource. If the previous owner loved to step, the T5 engine can be sour after 250,000 km.
   
Leather or plush
If you order a car with a leather salon, and the stagnant will call and say that you found a car with velor, I recommend that you agree - you won’t regret it. Knowing firsthand what the skin in the cold turns into, the Swedes have developed a chic velor for their models, which is called plush. It is very pleasant for the body and looks expensive. There is also a combined version of leather and suede (in the picture).
 
 
                  
Too annoying four -legged friend can be isolated using a standard sliding grid hidden in the back of the rear sofa of the station wagon
      

The upper (in the picture) and the right lower support of the engine serve 70,000-90,000 km (replacement $ 130). The other two are much more durable
 
And in operation
In addition to replacing oil and filters, seventy motors in our conditions most often require replacing candles. On atmospheric versions, they serve about 20,000 km, for a turbo - half as much. The cause of interruptions in the operation of the engine may also be injection nozzles: their service life on our gasoline is unpredictable. If ultrasonic cleaning does not help, which is recommended to be carried out every 40,000 km, the nozzles will have to be changed. You can use the Bosch non -original company at $ 70 apiece. But the failures of the sensors of the position of the crankshaft and distributions, because of which the engine may stall or not start at all, have become rare on the S70/V70 compared to the 850th. But still, so that in the event of a breakdown on the road you will not be divided into the engine control unit, you know, their replacement is a penny business.
 
The timing belt is prescribed to update after three years or 120,000 km - what will come earlier. Moreover, the first time you will have to spend only $ 120 on replacing the belt itself, since its videos are surprisingly durable. Usually they are changed only with repeated replacement of the belt and for preventive purposes.
 
But according to the state of the rollers of the belt of the drive of auxiliary units (generator, steering wheel, air conditioning amplifier), you can make an idea of \u200b\u200bthe mileage of the machine. If they whistle, then this Volvo wound at least 150,000 km, no matter what the seller says. The knock of hydraulic compensators of valves, not disappearing after heating, indicates a run, most likely, for 200,000 km. The diagnosis of such a motor should be taken seriously. Replacing the compensators themselves will cost $ 310-510 depending on the number of valves. But if they knock for a long time, then perhaps their saddles in the head of the block crashed. The replacement of the head will pull on $ 1,400.
    
Take care of the discs
The service life of the front brake discs is given in the table taking into account favorable conditions. But the discs in seventy are very afraid of the temperature difference. It is worth after several intense braking to enter the ice puddle, as the wheels go with a screw. The groove controls for a short time - it is cheaper to immediately change. The attention of zealous economists: brake calipers steadfastly tolerate our road salt only on condition that the pads change after 50 percent wear. It is worth getting to the metal, like the cylinders, and then at best, repair ($ 120 - two calipers), in the worst - replacement - $ 340.
 
Choose a gearbox
Volvo-S70/V70 allows you to choose both manually and automatic gearboxes with any of the engines, including the most powerful 2.3-turbo. There are no complaints about the mechanics. The clutch usually serves 120,000-150,000 km and only half is almost half as much, if you use the potential of the turbo engine with knowledge of the case on traffic lights. Clutch replacement costs $ 360.
 
The Japanese 4-speed gearbox with electronic control is also very reliable, provided that the oil is used and replaced in 40,000 km. But the machine has a hidden enemy - the antifreeze of the engine. The fact is that the oil radiator of the gearbox is implanted into the radiator of the engine cooling system. In the case of a mild accident, internal depressurization may occur. Then the antifreeze begins to mix the box to the oil, which over time will inevitably finish it off. Therefore, before buying, be sure to inspect the probe of the box. If it is covered with emulsion, therefore, the box will soon be repaired. It is better to refuse such a car. The point is not even the cost of repairs - $ 1500. As experience shows, a repaired automatic machine almost always works worse.
 
On all engines, starting from 170-horsepower, the Tracs anti-wings system was seriously installed. At a speed of up to 40 km/h, it slows down the skid wheels, helping the car move on a slippery road. For surcharge, front -wheel drive machines were equipped with a more advanced system of dynamic stabilization of STC. In addition to suppressing slipping, she also fights drifts. But still the best remedy against slippery roads is
 
four-wheel drive
They were equipped with V70 AWD (very few sedanov was produced) and its more popular version of the V70-Cross Country with a road clearance increased to 165 mm and characteristic bumpers with unprayed plastic lining. Therefore, Cross Country is not afraid of light off -road. A 193-horsepower 2.5 liter with a manual or automatic gearbox was installed on all-wheel drive seventy.
 
Such cars are not afraid of situations when, for example, the right wheels are on ice, and the left on the asphalt. Due to the rear and virtual front blocking, the car will still move off. This is quite enough to confidently feel in snow porridge or on a wet, but even primer. However, it is better not to meddle on a more serious off -road even on Cross Country.
 
The all -wheel drive system on seventy is trouble -free. It is only necessary to control the condition of the anthers not only of the anterior, but also in the rear cones and after 90,000 km change oil in the rear gearbox (only oil with LSD index for high -friction differentials).
 
 
It is difficult to determine the wear of short rear suspension levers to the touch. Their replacement costs $ 300
 
If the silent blocks of the engine subframe are worn out unevenly and much earlier than 200,000 km, then either a subframe or a body is deformed

  
R is a hot volvo
Moreover, very hot: a 2.3-liter turbo engine with a capacity of 250 liters. p., Sports Shas-Si with powerful brakes and low suspension, maximum speed 250 km/h and acceleration to hundreds per 6.7 s. This wolf can hide under the skin of S70R, V70R or V70R AWD. Buying is difficult - but in Russia there were very few of them, and from there they are brought mainly to order. It is much more important to understand whether you need such a car.
 
If you deliberately look for a sports car for every day, then R is certainly practical than any sportkup. But just do not try to buy such a car on the principle of cooler. The super-burned suspension will knock the seals out of the teeth, the low front spoiler will soon remain somewhere on the sidewalk, and low-profile rubber will quickly grow hernias. Remember also about the dependence of the motor resource on the pressure of the turbine, especially when you consider that the first owner knew why he was buying Erca. If you just need a very fast seventy, then T5 is much more preferable for our conditions.

Chassis:
survivability is average
The chassis of seventy on our roads demonstrates quite satisfactory endurance. Perhaps few details are characterized by record durability, but frankly weak.
 
Apart from the penny racks of the stabilizer, then the upper support cups of front shock absorbers and brake discs will most often require attention. Cups begin to knock about 60,000 km. It is more profitable to change them with shock absorbers, but if they have already pounded, and the shock absorbers are still alive, it is better not to postpone the replacement of the cups. Otherwise, shock absorber racks can meet with a hood cover from the 2000 model year, reinforced cups interchangeable with the old ones have gone.
 
Pay attention to the condition of the steering rack. With a run of about 150,000 km, it can flow. If the upper oil seal is snotty, the sealing shaft of the steering column, change it ($ 120), and the problem is solved. If the rake flows from the sides, - backlash appeared in it and trying to do something useless. Replacing the rail will cost $ 680.
 
In the rear suspension of the station wagons, shock absorbers that automatically level the body can be used depending on the load. They serve about the same as ordinary, but are much more expensive - $ 480 per pair.
 
By the way, the rear suspension proves that it should be served not in the corporate, but specializing in the Volvo service. If the rear wheels of the seventy is to shake the rear wheels back and forth, they show unnatural suppleness. The master for all hands will immediately senten the silent blocks of the rear suspension. In fact, the wheels are walking in elastic bushings. They provide the effect of steering in corners and almost eternal. Short levers (or supporting silent blocks) are nursed 180,000-200,000 km. It is difficult to identify their wear to the touch - something knocks behind and knocks. An unfamiliar mechanic with a volvo will grind the entire suspension at your expense.
    
Do you need a turbine?
A new turbine costs about $ 1100, and about 200,000 km will most likely have to pay this amount. Therefore, before buying, you should definitely check the condition of the turbine, and in the future take it as a rule not to jerk the engine immediately after stopping, allowing it to work for 30 seconds at idle. Plus, the turbo engines are extremely demanding of the quality and timely oil replacement, the serviceability of the cooling system and the cleanliness of the air filter. In our conditions, it should be changed after 10,000 km against the prescribed 30,000 km. And yet, if there is the possibility of a choice, then when buying a used car, you should think carefully if you need a turbine.

First date
So, you have decided on the modification of the seventy and have already looked at a specific copy. You cannot evaluate the technical condition of the modern foreign car yourself - therefore, do not pity $ 100-150 and trust the diagnostics of specialists from the technical center. In the meantime, limit yourself to an attentive inspection for the overall neatness of the machine and identify traces of hacking body repair.
 
Even on a three -year -old Volvo, you can find the abroad of paint along the edges of the wheeled arches - the result of the transition to environmentally friendly water -soluble dyes. While the technology has not been worked out, they poorly resisted stones. True, under the flying paint, not rusty metal is found, but a protective coating of gray-silver color. In general, with corrosion resistance of the body in seventy, everything is in order.
 
Open the central lock - all the doors and the lid of the trunk should be unlocked. If one of the doors does not work, most likely the activator of the door lock flew. Alas, the castle will have to be changed assembly: for one door $ 180 or $ 50, a used part. With the block of windows buttons, the story is the same: if one button does not work (it happens quite often), you need to buy the entire block for $ 130. In this case, the used block is better not to take - he did not have long to live.
 
Check the work of heating the seats - a faulty heating pad will cost $ 40 and the same amount of work. But the main thing is that Volvo does not leave you without life -giving coolness. If air conditioning or climatic is installed in the machine, check the presence of a cabin filter under the hood on the right under the windshield. If it is absent, then in a year or two the evaporator will rot and you will adjust the mechanics a very profitable work for $ 280 (it is unlikely to be done on the side of it with qualitatively). Plus the same amount is a new detail.
 
What is the end? Having bought the S70/V70, you get a prestigious, solid and endowed with excellent driving qualities a car. In the mid-90s, Mark Volvo was a bestseller of the Russian market. In the days of crazy money, its popularity was prevented by either high prices for spare parts, nor the greed of authorized technical centers. But as soon as the crisis was spent, the high cost of the content of Volvo overshadowed the prestige of the brand. When sales fell catastrophically, the Swedes realized - they significantly reduced the cost of spare parts, and the dealers recommended to moderate appetites. But, as you know, good glory to the spin, and the bad is along the path. Today, Volvo is considered in Russia a car for the elect. This is an undoubted plus for your image. Minus - the car is unlikely to be service for free. For a Volvo, it is difficult to find cheap non -original spare parts and a competent service with low prices. But if you are ready for the fact that an expensive car should not be cheap in maintenance, then your operating costs will not be higher than that of the owner of the BMW or Audi.
     
  Motor passport and registration address
The engine model is encrypted in the first six to seven signs of its number. First sign: letter B - gasoline, d is diesel. Second sign: number 5 - number of cylinders. The third and fourth signs: numbers, putting a comma between which we get a rounded working volume in liters. Fifth sign: number 2 or 4 - the number of valves per cylinder. The sixth and seventh signs: the letter T indicates the presence of a turbine (T2 and T3 - its various modifications). Any other letters are assigned to atmospheric motors. Consequently, the cipher B5254S corresponds to a gasoline 5-cylinder motor with a volume of 2.5 liters with four valves per cylinder without a turbocharged. All S70/V70 are made in Belgium. By the two -digit number in the right upper line of the identification plate, you can find out for which region the car is intended. For example: 23 - Eastern Europe, 10 - Sweden, 16 - Switzerland, 18 - Germany, 20 - Belgium, 21 - Holland, 30 - USA.
 
 
Alexander Konov, photo Volvo and Maxim Goncharov

 
 

Source: Magazine "Limousine" [03/02]