XC70: - Have I made a mistake here?

Colin Lewis · Jan 21st, 2010, 16:01

Hi, I have just bought a 1998 Cross Country, 88k with a full Volvo service history. Only had it a week and everything seems to work ok and it looks great! I have been reading a few forums and reviews from upset owners, mainly in south America, who have had major problems with this model. Have I made a mistake buying this vehicle?

RUTV70 · Jan 21st, 2010, 16:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin Lewis

Hi, I have just bought a 1998 Cross Country, 88k with a full Volvo service history. Only had it a week and everything seems to work ok and it looks great! I have been reading a few forums and reviews from upset owners, mainly in south America, who have had major problems with this model. Have I made a mistake buying this vehicle?

Always dangerous reading forums....you only see the problems..LOL.!
Would have thought with low mileage and FVSH you ain't got that much to worry about surely.?
I assume the XC's have more to go wrong potentially I guess but as with most vehicles, it's all about history and how they've been treated.?
Enjoy.!!
Neil

IanGEC · Jan 21st, 2010, 17:32

At that mileage and with a FVSH I would say no you ain't made a mistake....

bembo449 · Jan 21st, 2010, 19:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin Lewis

Hi, I have just bought a 1998 Cross Country, 88k with a full Volvo service history. Only had it a week and everything seems to work ok and it looks great! I have been reading a few forums and reviews from upset owners, mainly in south America, who have had major problems with this model. Have I made a mistake buying this vehicle?

don't be worried by what you read ! my other cars a bmw745 and my american forum buddies have loads of problems that i simply have not !! just keep it well maintained and all should be well !!

244T · Jan 21st, 2010, 19:19

Xc ars great cars and the early ones look the best in my oppinion... I am trying to amass a database of current owners of the S1 XC's on here.

In the mean time take care and relax and enjoy your new car!!!

alexward · Jan 21st, 2010, 19:26

As others have said mate, car forums do put the willies up you if you're new to them.
I was a regular user of a forum with my last car an MG ZT. When I was new to car forums, I used to read about other peoples problems with their cars, and think mine had the same problem, i.e a noise here and a noise there!!
MG's ain't the most reliable cars. You have a volvo now which are notoriously reliable. I feel relaxed now, knowing I own a Volvo!! (famous last words!!!)
Just remember, if it ain't broke, then don't fix it!!

rippedoffagain · Jan 21st, 2010, 19:28

Think of ANY car, then find a forum dedicated the make of that car, have a look, and in there you will find many articles about that specific model, all from people who's cars are bust.

The thing is, people tend not to post on car forums to say "my car is brilliant, there's nowt wrong with it and its a top motor", or "I'm bored, I want to fix my car but I can't find any faults to attend to, what is the best way to bust it so I can fix it?".

I reckon your motor will be ok. It will go wrong at some point, cars have a tendency to do that, but I don't reckon you have reason to worry.

Colin Lewis · Jan 21st, 2010, 20:55

Thanks chaps, thought I had dropped a right goolley there!

MTerry · Feb 19th, 2010, 21:09

The big problem with the early AWD cars is that the viscous coupling in the rear and the gear in the transaxle that sends power rearward break. If the transaxle fluid was changed properly, and in a vehicle with FVSH it probably has, transaxle should be fine. And as long as the vehicle hasn't had mismatched tyres of different sizes or severe wear on one side, the system should hold up well. FVSH indicates the car was very well maintained and should be okay. Just keep the transaxle fluid changed regularly and always replace all 4 tyres at once. I've heard (rumor) that even a difference of 1% in tyre circumference can mess up the AWD system. I got the crash course when the wife bought a '98 V70 AWD last year with a damaged viscous coupling. It's FWD only until I can come up with the money to fix it (around $1100 US for parts only). Just remember, parts will be expensive - act accordingly.

philharris · Feb 19th, 2010, 21:14

i made the mistake of buying AWD last year that hadnt been correctly serviced, nearly bankrupted me however if your has FVH it should help bear in mind they are from what ive since gathered somewhat fragile, good luck

Jan 21st, 2010, 16:01	#1
Colin Lewis New Member Last Online: Dec 17th, 2010 15:01 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Coleshill	Have I made a mistake here? Hi, I have just bought a 1998 Cross Country, 88k with a full Volvo service history. Only had it a week and everything seems to work ok and it looks great! I have been reading a few forums and reviews from upset owners, mainly in south America, who have had major problems with this model. Have I made a mistake buying this vehicle?

Jan 21st, 2010, 17:32	#3
IanGEC VOC Member Last Online: Jul 4th, 2022 12:03 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Whitecross	At that mileage and with a FVSH I would say no you ain't made a mistake.... __________________ Currently Owned: 1999 Volvo v70 XC - Manual - Silver - V Reg Previously owned: 1993 Volvo 945 2.0 Highlander - Manual - Red - K984 UCC 1989 Volvo 745 2.0 GL - Manual - Silver - F662 NSR

Jan 21st, 2010, 19:19	#5
244T VOC Member Last Online: Jan 5th, 2020 18:09 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Preston	XC Just enjoy it!!!! Xc ars great cars and the early ones look the best in my oppinion... I am trying to amass a database of current owners of the S1 XC's on here. In the mean time take care and relax and enjoy your new car!!! __________________ Andrew... 244T '90 740 GLT: Standard car '80 240 DL: Lots of bits and bobs inc turbo intercooler etc etc

Jan 21st, 2010, 19:26	#6
alexward C70 T5 GT Spec Last Online: Sep 15th, 2010 19:25 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sandy, Beds View Photos By: alexward	As others have said mate, car forums do put the willies up you if you're new to them. I was a regular user of a forum with my last car an MG ZT. When I was new to car forums, I used to read about other peoples problems with their cars, and think mine had the same problem, i.e a noise here and a noise there!! MG's ain't the most reliable cars. You have a volvo now which are notoriously reliable. I feel relaxed now, knowing I own a Volvo!! (famous last words!!!) Just remember, if it ain't broke, then don't fix it!! __________________ Alex

Feb 19th, 2010, 21:09	#9
MTerry Bored Member Last Online: Nov 23rd, 2020 19:46 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Baltimore, Maryland, USA	The big problem with the early AWD cars is that the viscous coupling in the rear and the gear in the transaxle that sends power rearward break. If the transaxle fluid was changed properly, and in a vehicle with FVSH it probably has, transaxle should be fine. And as long as the vehicle hasn't had mismatched tyres of different sizes or severe wear on one side, the system should hold up well. FVSH indicates the car was very well maintained and should be okay. Just keep the transaxle fluid changed regularly and always replace all 4 tyres at once. I've heard (rumor) that even a difference of 1% in tyre circumference can mess up the AWD system. I got the crash course when the wife bought a '98 V70 AWD last year with a damaged viscous coupling. It's FWD only until I can come up with the money to fix it (around $1100 US for parts only). Just remember, parts will be expensive - act accordingly. __________________ Elphie - '98 V70 AWD, also Polar White Sophie - '09 XC90 V8, Shadow Blue Gloria - '93 244 in Ruby Red Metallic Sandy Blu - '07 C70, Celestial Blue

Jan 21st, 2010, 19:28	#7
rippedoffagain Premier Member Last Online: Nov 16th, 2019 18:20 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Yorkshire	Think of ANY car, then find a forum dedicated the make of that car, have a look, and in there you will find many articles about that specific model, all from people who's cars are bust. The thing is, people tend not to post on car forums to say "my car is brilliant, there's nowt wrong with it and its a top motor", or "I'm bored, I want to fix my car but I can't find any faults to attend to, what is the best way to bust it so I can fix it?". I reckon your motor will be ok. It will go wrong at some point, cars have a tendency to do that, but I don't reckon you have reason to worry.

Jan 21st, 2010, 20:55	#8
Colin Lewis New Member Last Online: Dec 17th, 2010 15:01 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Coleshill	Thanks chaps, thought I had dropped a right goolley there!

Feb 19th, 2010, 21:14	#10
philharris I've Been Banned Last Online: Apr 25th, 2010 17:51 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: OOP NORTH	i made the mistake of buying AWD last year that hadnt been correctly serviced, nearly bankrupted me however if your has FVH it should help bear in mind they are from what ive since gathered somewhat fragile, good luck

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