Learn Me Volvo V70R

I have an '04 with 107k on it that I've had for about 3 months. Titanium exterior with Gobi (tan) interior. It's a lot of fun and holds a ton 'o crap.

They are not maintenance free. I replaced my whole PCV system a few weeks back because they clog and/or get cracked hoses. It was a gigantic PITA and something like $375 in parts. I need front control arm bushings. Fortunately, an entire aluminum LCA is $109 from IPD. The weird bushing orientation looks like it would be a huge pain to press. Engine mounts are regular replacement items too but the ones that go bad (upper and torque mount) are $50ea or so.

Timing belt is at 105k IIRC, and enough effort that I paid my local independent to do it, accessory belt, and water pump.

Clutch slave cylinders fail and they're internal to the bellhousing so the trans has to come out to replace.

The shocks are electronic and expensive. Fortunately, Monroe was the OE supplier and now sell them directly for $250/corner vs $400. The upper strut mounts can apparently fail badly enough to put dents in the hood. Mine are visibly beat.

COPs die. I went ahead and ordered 5 IPD HD units the week I brought the car home.

Tascaparts.com is the spot for OEM parts. Factory wheels are $183ea. A painted front bumper was $680. Rear was $550.

They are monsters in the snow, even with Conti DWS tires. I was shocked at how good it is compared to my old E34 touring on snows.

re Dodge Magnum:

That said, the styling sure has aged quickly

The one-year-only 2008 has a more modern look. I didnt like the look of the 05-07 front end even while i owned one.

I get the impression they are kinda shoddily put together.

Compared to... a contemporary Mustang? Bwahahahaha! Actually, based on my mom's v70r-era S80 (which like a v70r was originally a very expensive car) and my experience with my own Magnum (which was bought brand new by a fleet for 15k and change), i'd say most interior/body parts of a Magnum will hold up better than a V70R as well. Not that that helps the fun factor.

In general i am very pro-V70R and would like to own one, but not based on any thought that it will wear out slower than a Dodge or need less work, because compared to a Magnum i don't believe that's true at all.

DILYSI Dave wrote: Confirmation on the cosmetic value of tinted windows. Now to photochop a 1.5" drop....

In person, the car looks pretty darn low already. And given that the suspension is not what I would describe as "supple", I wouldn't even consider lowering it.

In reply to dyintorace:

Agreed. My ex's car had lowering springs (H&R?) when Koni Yellows with she bought it. The ride was borderline unpleasant and her other car is a '03 MCS - not known for supple suspension...

I replaced the suspension with Koni FSD's and OE springs. Despite the wheel gap, the car is pretty low and doesn't have a ton of ground clearance. And hers is just a 850 turbo - I'd imagine the R's are lower from the factory.

In reply to mfennell:

I question IPD's spiel about inferior rubber, hence their "HD" control arms are better, but I'm often a cynic. When the 850 needed ball joints I did the entire control arm (had too on '95+) and went with Lemforder, they're the OEM supplier to Volvo, same part but without the pricy blue box. I know the P2 is a completely different chassis than than the old P80 but Lemforder is still the OEM supplier and not made in Taiwan IPD "HD." Don't get me wrong I like IPD, have bought several things from them, but I had similar thoughts on their "HD" spring perches, when XC90 perches were as good or better, and cheaper.

This has been another rendition of, "Random Volvo Part Musings" by Lee.

I'm gonna play devils advocate here: Mazda 6 Wagon: http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?

In reply to DILYSI Dave:

I can dig it! very nice.

bigdaddylee82 wrote: In reply to mfennell: This has been another rendition of, "Random Volvo Part Musings" by Lee.

Good stuff. Thanks for chiming in. I'm a cynic too, I just haven't really done my research yet.

dyintorace wrote: In person, the car looks pretty darn low already. And given that the suspension is not what I would describe as "supple", I wouldn't even consider lowering it.

I've seen a thread on swedespeed about moving the accelerometer off the front strut housing onto the body. The theory is that the 4C suspension reacts too aggressively to sharp impacts.

I've finally decided not to lower mine either. It's plenty low enough to run into stuff already. Also, you can't correct the rear camber. I've seen swedespeed forum members quoting 3.5 degrees negative after lowering. IPD sells an offset bushing but that sounds like quite a hassle and i'm not super fond of the mechanics of it either.

My opinion is the 4C suspension in the V70R is plenty soft on the comfort setting. It definitely isn't supple on the stiffest setting though.

When I bought the V70R last year one of the reasons I didn't get a Mazda 6 wagon was the low estimated mpg compared to the V70R