I am looking at a 1990 740 GLE 16 Valve wagon, automatic, and have some questions pertaining to issues I noticed with the car. I appreciate any advice!

The car overall is in good shape - no rust, interior not bad...starts right up, drives fine, no shimmies, etc.

The issues I noticed are:

The ABS light on the antilock system keeps turning on on the dash. Also, I am used to high tight brakes, but these feel like theyre low and mushy. Whats normal for this car? And what does that light coming on mean? Its not on all the time.

The car idles just fine in park, and runs well when driving. However, when stopping, at a light for instance, it starts to run rough, as though its going to stall, and it has stalled out once. What might this mean, and what might fix it?

With the hood open, you can see the whole motor rock and roll when you start the car and when you shut it off. Is this broken motor mounts?

The rear hatch doesnt stay up, the hydraulic pistons are shot. Are they ava aftermarket, or do I have to get them from Volvo, and how much might that run.

The right rear passenger door outside latch is there, but the handle cover for it is missing...anyone have a parts car or soure where I can get one if I buy this car?

The a/c eventually cools off the car, but never really gets ice cold - is this typical for this car?

What kind of expense am I looking at in terms of tuneups, etc with a 16 valve car?

And...I have NO clue if this is a rear of front wheel drive car, nor if it is a 4cyl or a 6cyl.... nor any idea what tuneups etc might run on this car...

Thanks to ANYONE who can advise me on this and answer any of my questions. I really want a Volvo, like the car, but am not in a position to wind up having to make major repairs on it anytime soon...buying it is going to break the bank here LOL.

Thanks again...Gina

PS: You can email me directly if you choose, at: rthunderhawk@hotmail.com

 

It is a 4 cyl, rear wheel drive car. The models with the B234 ( 4 cyl, 16 valve) motors are generally regarded ( especially by mechanics, they hate 'em) as ones to stay away from. As opposed to the regular b230f ( 4 cyl, valve) or b230ft turbo ( 4 cyl,8 vavle turbocharged), they are much more expensive to maintain ( two timing belts, special tools needed to change) and just don't seem to hold up as well as the others. Plus, they are what is called an interference engine. If the timing belt breaks, the motor is toast. On a regular b230 8valve, if the timing belt breaks, you just coast to the side of the road, install a new one and go.
The brakes should be firm, sounds like air in the system or problems with the ABS system, and the motor should not rock and roll. Most all parts are easy to obtain, either new or from the friendly neighborhood junkyard.
Unless this one is REAL cheap, and you have someone with lots of experience working on b234's that works cheap, I would pass. Keep looking for an 8 valve or turbo wagon ( with all service records, please), much better deal in the long run.