Stage "Zero",where to start
 

To start off: i did check the resources post but the link to the stage zero thread is dead :( so here it goes...
I understand what stage zero means, but is there some sort of a guideline or a list i can use to go though my car so i can figure out what needs to be done/replaced exactly and what parts i need to get? Here's my story: I own a '98 S70 GLT auto, and some time back i decided that i was going to mess with my car as a some sort of a expensive hobby. Now to be completely honest i don't really know a lot about cars ,but i've been taking "lessons" from my mechanic and by lessons i mean asking a lot of questions while my car was getting diagnosed and repaired, so far the distributor cap/wires/spark plugs/battery have been replaced and the oil hoses running to the top of the engine are new, i had to replace the intake and exhaust gaskets due to major leaks, then on my own i replaced the stock air box with the IPD short ram intake and got a heavy duty turbo control valve, i haven't got to replacing any other hoses or junk. The car was very poorly maintained by previous owner and he didn't replace the timing belt in time and a whole lot of stuff had to be done to get the car to a "drivable" condition before i even bought it. As of recently i have no check engine lights/codes or issues to complain of but i want to get my baby to an acceptable to upgrade condition or "stage zero". So where do i start?

I'm not a shill for other Volvo sites on the web, but if you happen to come across Matthewsvolvo (not sure of its URL or whatever the addresses are called) you might just find something of interest about returning an older Volvo to "Stage Zero". That one happened to be, as I recall, a V70 a couple of generations old circa 1999 or 2000. Includes prices paid to repair wear parts. Didn't seem too cheap, as I recall. But it does caution that unless one gets to Stage Zero, one will simply throw away money trying to
improve performance of the car that has stuff worn out.

Best bet is to open your owner's manual, look at the mileage you are at now and do the maintenence for that mileage. If the book only goes to 100k, then just use the mileage you are at now, but lose the 1 off the front!
When you have that done, just keep servicing by the book at teh intervals specified, eventually you'll get everything sorted out.

Regards, Andrew.