Test Driving a S60R Tonight. Woot!

"Brewman15" (brewman15)
12/08/2014 at 15:41 • Filed to: None

Going to test drive a S60R with the 6-speed manual after work tonight. It's not a V70R, but it's local and in great shape! So excited! Do I dare move up to a modern brick? To the Oppo members familiar with these....what should I look out for?

Here's a random S60R for your time.

DISCUSSION (19)

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Brewman15
12/08/2014 at 15:42

Some have an aux input.

EL_ULY > Brewman15
12/08/2014 at 15:45

when the 2 major jobs have been done, the timing belt (kit with tensioner and pulley) and the PCV box. Go through all 3 of the suspension settings. Make sure you feel all 3. Besides that, the basic "used car things"

My citroen won't start > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
12/08/2014 at 15:46

And he might take some time to find it.

Sn210 > Brewman15
12/08/2014 at 15:47

spaceball!!!! See if it's got a service history and if you can, make sure the AWD is working properly. Read this post:

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/talk-me-into-i…

Moves-Like-Senna > EL_ULY
12/08/2014 at 15:48

In addition to the timing belt having been done, the water pump as well.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > My citroen won't start
12/08/2014 at 15:49

Over 2 years sometimes.

Milky > Brewman15
12/08/2014 at 15:51

Friend has a V70R, the only thing not right with his car is sometimes the ABS light is on.

Sooo I have no helpful advice.

blacktruck18 > Brewman15
12/08/2014 at 16:00

My wife drives a t5 s60 and it is a great car the only thing I dislike about it is the torque steer which wouldn't be a problem with s60r.

Brewman15 > EL_ULY
12/08/2014 at 16:04

I'll check on those. It's a one owner car that was always serviced at this Volvo dealer, so those should be easy records to find.

Brewman15 > Sn210
12/08/2014 at 16:06

The Carfax service was a bit vague, but it's been serviced it's entire life at the Volvo dealer. So, I am hoping they have the records.

RallyWrench > Brewman15
12/08/2014 at 16:08

Solid cars. None of what I'm about to say is R-specific, but applies to the whole line.

The front control arm bushings and strut mounts are a weak point on any S or V. Strut mounts usually make a popping noise that sounds like it's coming from the corners of the dashboard. The control arm bushings allow excess wheel movement & cause poor tire wear, and can induce a steering shudder under low speed braking. Have somebody watch the wheels as you stab the brakes to a stop, they'll see them move a couple inches if the bushings are shot.

The engines are great, just make sure it's been cared for. The rubber PCV pipe from the valve cover to the breather box on the side of the block is a common leak source, usually shown by oil on the top of the engine under the coil cover, or down the side of the block. Ask to see records for timing belt & water pump replacement, the pumps sometimes tend to leak before the timing belt interval. You'll see coolant at the bottom of the front timing covers if so. Check the torque mount on from the top of the engine to the firewall, they're almost always bad. The turbos leak oil sometimes, but are very reliable.

Make sure all the tires match, these center & rear diffs really, really don't like different diameters, as happens when someone cheaps out & only replaces 2 tires. No one ever services the Haldex rear diff, but it's not a bad idea.

The R's don't really feel as fast as the numbers would suggest, but you'll accelerate & find yourself going much faster than you thought. Cool cars overall, I'd daily a V70R without hesitation.

BarryDanger > Brewman15
12/08/2014 at 16:09

I had a friend with a V70R and the rear wheel bearings were absolutely shot. Not sure how often they wear out but he said it was $$$ to replace them.

nucciOMG > Brewman15
12/08/2014 at 16:17

R owner here.

1. Go make an account on SwedeSpeed

2. Be rough with it on the test drive. Get the RPMS up (shows any possible misfires/smoke) Drive over bumps, listen for bad struts/endlinks.

What color combo?

http://forums.swedespeed.com/showthread.php…

Sn210 > Brewman15
12/08/2014 at 16:22

that would be awesome, I hope it works out for you!

Brewman15 > RallyWrench
12/08/2014 at 17:03

Awesome. Thanks for the heads up!

Brewman15 > nucciOMG
12/08/2014 at 17:05

I'll join Swedespeed as long as I don't have to give up my turbobricks account. ;)

Thanks for the link. That was very useful. It is dark blue w/ blue leather interior...hard to tell from the pics if it is the Nordkap blue though.

My citroen won't start > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
12/08/2014 at 17:25

Princess Anne has one too, you know.

nucciOMG > Brewman15
12/08/2014 at 18:57

Should be Nordkap! And that sounds like a great one. How many miles? I'm nucciOMG on SS too!

Sasquatch > Brewman15
12/08/2014 at 19:43

Former 2004 S60R owner here. Others have pointed out some issues like the weak slave cylinder and timing belt. All I will say about the timing belt is dont go by Volvo's recommended interval. Mine broke at 90k when it was supposed to be serviced at 110k. Took out the engine. Change volvo timing belts early and often.

The other expensive item is the struts. They are electronically controlled magna struts and $350-$450 each. They start to leak right around 60-90k. Budget $2k for this.

I owned my R from 09 until it was totalled in August of 13. I paid $9700 for it. In that time it's maintenance costs were:

Replace engine and angle gear (notoriously weak on 04's) $6500

Replace clutch and slave cylinder. $1800

Replace struts springs and bushings. $2500

In four years of ownership I spent $10800 maintaining a $9700 car. Not counting oil tires and other consumables.

I bought that car with 89000 miles. Totalled at 140000. A pre purchase inspection at a solid volvo shop is worth its weight in gold with these cars. It would have saved me thousands.

All in all the car was an expensive one but also one of the best all rounders I have ever driven.

Conclusion: It costs A ton to keep an R on the road. Is it worth it? Yes! Would I do it again? Fuck yeah