I have been looking strictly at the S60 R, but was wondering the differences in the other models? What a the difference between the 2.5T and the T5? Is the 2.4 a non-turbo? Is the R the only one with 300 hp? I'm really not big on AWD and I'm not crazy about the 18" wheels since this will be mainly my wife's car.

Any insight is appreciated.

 

Yes the R is the only model with 300hp. Check out edmunds.com for a full breakdown of the spec difference. The wife and I picked up an 04 R 6MT as a new dd for her and the AWD in the MN winter is awesome! Head on over to swedespeeds R specific forum if you have any R specific questions.

 

Jim, I am in the same boat as you. I have been looking to get an S60 as well.

Here is what I have found so far. If possible avoid the 01-02 models - problems with the ETM and transmission.

There is the 2.4 NA which has been around for donkeys years (yeah same 168hp as my 94 850), but you could find one with a manual.

The 2.4T, which was later updated to 2.5T. Small increase in displacement, both low pressure turbos. One is 196hp the other 208hp if memory serves me right. No manual.

And there is the T5 which through the years was updated from 247hp to 256hp. The 256hp starts in 2005 with the mild facelift (body-colored trim). The T5 is strictly FWD but you can get one with a manual.

What I am looking to get is an 03-04 T5. Because their price is relatively low, and they are still pretty fast. I have considered getting a S60R, but I can't justify the cost. You have probably heard the horror stories about the AWD system (angle gear) and the 4C suspension (one strut costs $350 at the minimum). The T5 is simple FWD and uses regular struts.

 

I found a really lousy deal on a great car. It's a 2004 S60 R in red with grey/blue interior. It has the body trim kit and the rear spoiler. But it's about $2K over book value. It only has 63K on the clock. I got them down about $1500 from the original asking price.

The Carfax report shows that it had four owners: First one had it for four years, second had it 11 months, third had it only four months and the fourth had it 17 months. Only thing I see on the mainenace side is regular oil changes and it looks like it went through tires like crazy.

I'm supposed to give the dealer an answer tomorrow. I can afford it if I really want it, but not real sure I should buy it.

I like the R, but not sure I really want AWD.

 

All four tires, or just the fronts? If it's just the fronts the AWD may be gone already.

Another thing I have read about the S60R's is not to trust the Volvo service interval for the timing belt. Book says 105,000 miles but there are several examples on swedespeed where the timing belt snapped at around 90,000. So just to be on the safe side, follow the established procedure - every 70,000.

 

Have you looked at the '05+ T5's? It's FWD, you can get it with the M66, has the same engine as the S60R just detuned a bit. I can't remember if it still has forged internals though.

You can always disable the AWD on the SR if you really like the car. Just pull the haldex fuse and there you go. There have even been a few guys on SS that have pulled the drive shaft as well.

+1 about the timing belt.

 

You can actually get a T5, then you could get the IPD tune to get you close, or to the performance to an R. You could also do exhaust, and it could get you to the 300 or more hp of the R.

ECU Upgrades

 

T5's are much harder to find than the R's. It's going to be my wife's car, so will not be doing any mods.

Finally convinced her that the white 850 R with almost 1/4 of a million miles on it, is really something to be proud of when you drive it. If I didn't drive the yellow one, I would have no problem driving the white one as my daily driver. But I will keep looking for a great deal and then sell the white one to my son in law.

 

If you strictly want an R, go for the 06+ R's because I believe they switched to the 6 Speed Auto. They also come stock with 17" Pegs, the 18's are the same style, just bigger. However, since you're not crazy about AWD, i'd just get the T5. Although they're harder to find, they don't command the price premiums of the R both in purchase price and maintenance cost.