I posted in the new owner forums about my Volvo history which spans quite a few models, this being my 5th. However, it's been over 10 years since I bought my last one, a '99 S80. This car is visually stunning and well kept (for the beginning of it's life anyway - lots of volvo records in the carfax). Car has 162K on the clock.

However - after a 3 hour drive home today, I noticed the following -

1) My main concern - at stoplights, the trans seems to be pulsing and affecting idle ever so slightly. Drop it in neutral, purrs like a kitten. shifting all through the range is spot on. smooth shifts, right on time, automanual shifts seem spot on. It's really hard to get to the trans dipstick but it appears overfull. I am going to do some checks tomorrow. Anything ideas where to start from the more experienced owners? I always say leave alone what works and have a lexus lx470 (original owner) with 238K and only one fluid service around the first timing belt service. it's always been perfect so i don't want to screw it up with a fluid service. My Mercedes was a sealed box so I've really got little personal experience. My buddy has a '98 V70 T5 and my cousin a '98 S70 AWD. My buddy suggested the "poor mans flush" involving 4 gallons or so of fluid and disconnecting the cooler line. Thoughts on this? I was a bit leary of buying an early "S" vehicle because of trans issues but I initially didn't notice anything. Also, it was mentioned that there was a reprogramming TSB that Volvo issued. I don't see it specifically called out in the carfax, any way to fig out if this has been done?

2) Climate Control - not sure its working as it should. in auto mode after startup, it seems to be blowing to high on the fan and I had to move the temp to the upper 70's for it to switch to heat. It was about 40 deg here today so I don't think a/c and cooling should have been running with the temp set for 72. Any troubleshooting ideas?

3) when I picked it up this AM, took it for a last test ride and after I stomped on it, a coil pack went dead. Found out that the owner just replaced one and didn't do the others, we grabbed one at the store and installed it (#2) but they only had one. Noticed the 3rd from right (don't know firing order yet) wasn't original but the last two are. Since it idles right in neutral and runs good, I am thinking that I'll get to the last two soon but they aren't causing problems. FWIW - I cannot believe that the used a plastic loom material that completely decayed and just crumbles into pieces when you touch it.

4) When you hit a certain speed, there's a strange thump or mechanical noise right behind the sunroof. I cannot figure out what that is. The sunroof operates normally. Any ideas?