about to buy a s60 awd 2.4t with 185000 miles on it for 1800$. any common problems you guys could recommend to look for before going through with the purchase?. any comments would be appreciated- thanks.

some things i noticed when i first test dove it:

-the e brake is completely loose and makes a faint clicking noise.

-the check engine light is on and so is the airbag service soon notification

-no engine smoke from tailpipe when rev'd high in park

-brakes work good, all new tires, leather is good, all windows work, turbo doesn't seem to make a whinny noise

-doesnt shake on take off and hard stopping.

.... so my worries are that since it is at 185,000 with no known service, since the owner is selling for a friend, is there any common failure at around this mileage?

the car has very great ratings on KBB but the comments on EMUNDS seem to bash it quite a bit on electrical errors in relation with the transmission.

does anyone have a 185+ miles s60? how much longer will the car last me? and what common leaks should i look for in the engine.

the owner had the engine detailed so i cant see any leaks yet.

please help !!

 

If I were you, I'd pay a mechanic to look over the car. Do you need AWD? If not, find a car that doesn't have it.

 

do mechanics usually do that kind of service? how do you suggest i find someone who will come look at it? and yes im in in iowa, so it snows during the winter

 

I'd start by getting the check engine light codes and chassis codes (ie airbags) read so you know what they are telling you. good advise on getting a shop to do an inspection (generally budget about 1 hour shop time = $100 here). After that, most important check is the timing belt which is a ten year 100K mile interval. If its been done recently, there is likely to be a sticker or some writing on the cover etc to say when and mileage. I'd ask your inspection tech to look into that and to pull the timing belt cover off and look for oil leaks, water pump leaks etc. Note many timing belt fails are due to idlers going bad so don't trust a clean looking belt alone. After that you can take on fixing the codes and then the e-brake. Your inspection should also check for suspension and motor/tranny mounts.

 

Yes, repair shop will do the inspection. You'll have to drive the car to them.

 

Hey Guys, Thank you all for your input.

An update is that ive purchased the car, and it has been great since. I am more than satisfied with the 2.5t awd s60 that turned out to be a 2004 as well.

I am going to start a new thread with some photos of my car, and some questions that
I hope people can help with!

 

Wow , I just bought the same car, same color, same year.



2004 S60 AWD 133k ruby red metallic #454