I would Check when the timing belt was change.. The manual trans is far better that auto. Sounds like a good buy.. Also check the turbo by seeing is weird smoke os coming from exhaust and accelerate the car with the hood open so you can hear the turbo kiick in. Obvoiusly on Park..

 

Thanks for the advice. The TC was changed at 122k. I'll be sure to check out the turbo.

 

Go look for an 03 or newer. oi-02 have issues on ETMs and some trannys

 

stay away from 01-02 volvo s60.

 

Mine has been good so far... 110800 miles Engine and trans no problems what soever.. my best friend has an 2004 and they are the same in reliability but thats just me. I've maintain it in good shape all of its maintanance and all that I would love to have a Manual trans on mine it would be so much fun to drive it..

 

Do research on the ETMs on the '01. I have an '01 S60 T5 Auto.

There's an extended warranty, but getting it replaced is like pulling teeth, and even w/ the warranty, expect about $500 in cost before they will do it for diagnosis and cleaning the present ETM.

Also the axles and front hub bearings, as well as upper strut bearings, and 3 motor mounts were history by 102k on mine.

If you do your own work, you may be OK. If not, open your wallet!

Bob

 

Thanks guys. I usually do my own work for the most part. Fixing to research who makes the best manual for Volvos.

 

Going with a manual already removs one of the main concerns of buying a 01-02 model. At that mileage on a manual the clutch may be close to give up though if it has not been replaced already. Test drive the car and check if the clutch operates properly. Also test if the clutch is slipping. To test the clutch put on the parking break, start the engine, press the clutch and put 2nd gear on, then disengage the clutch slowly while accelerating and keeping the parking break on. The car should stall. While test driving the car listen to suspension noises and clunks that would be sign of front axle components (control arms, tie rods, ball joints) needed to be replaced. If you do work on your cars you probably already know all of that anyway. As far as the turbo is concerned these turbos can last for a very long time if well maintained (oil changed periodically) and a car that has lasted 165miles has been obviously maintained pretty well. Without seeing the car, if you can do most of the maintenance yourself that sounds like a pretty good buy to me.

 

hey guys, what major services should have been done by 100k and are to be done?
Im also looking at a 2001 S60, non turbo. It seems really good. ETM on the trans, how much is that? and i see its common, is that true for the non turbos and whats the ETM anyway??
Thanksss!

 

If the oil was never change on the trans it can cause future damage to your transmision shortening the life of it... I would do a pedal to metal test on the car and then check the trans oil fluid it is red the trans can be Ok.. Thats why its important to look for the history of the car. And the ETM stands for Electronic Throttle MOdule...

 

OK so the ETM.. is that basically the trans issue on the S60's, or is there more to it? And if the trans. fluid is red it's good? How do you check that anyway.. I don't know much about transmission obviously, all my cars never had issues with the trans and prob never will so I've never really considered it being an issue, unless the car was abused then of course i know its garbage but i want to learn about this S60 trans so when i look at one, and it shifts well, i can check the other stuff so its not a lemon. thanks BTW

 

THe ETM is the throttle of the car and is electronic, it sends command to the cars computer to control shifts and all other stuff. Basically when the ETM comes bad it can cause the engine to go on limp home mode or mess the shifting of gears in the trans.. As to where the trans dipstick is located is somewhat hard to get. Is yellow the dipstick and is in between the engine and the trans to the front deep down from the air filter compartment..