I have about 97,000 miles on my 2001 Volvo S60 2.4T. I was told that I will need a new transmission soon. Some people recommended that I just buy a new car, since other expensive parts will need to be replaced. What are all of your opinions? I am thinking that I should just replace the transmission, since Volvos are so well built and long lasting.

 

Are you having a problem with your transmission or dis someone just say that based on age?

 

Someone looked at my car at the Volvo dealership and said there were about 13,000 miles left on the transmission.

 

There is no way to tell how many miles are "left" for a transmission. What symptoms are you experiencing?

 

Sometimes when I stop at a sign or lights and first press on the accelerator, the car jumps.

 

Are they really talking about replacing the whole thing, or just some sort of rebuild? How much are they quoting to do this job? Was there a more specific diagnosis, or did they just tell you it was about done for.

Normally an automatic transmission should last hundreds of thousands of miles. Given what it would probably cost, I am thinking a 2nd opinion might be worthwhile.

It is for reasons like this that I prefer to have a manual. But sadly they don't give us that option any longer.

 

Could need a TCM update. Could be a valve body. A trans will certainly take care of it.

 

I think they said I just needed a new transmission, since it looked like its days were numbered. There was no other information. It would could $5,500. The new transmission would have a lifetime warranty.

 

I just called a few dealerships. It will be from $6200-$6500 for a new one with everything.

 

By second opinion, I was thinking that you should have someone else look at the thing and see if they agree that you need a new one. If you really do, then getting different prices probably doesn't hurt, but it doesn't surprise me that they are all pretty close.

This first dealer gave you a very vague reason to begin with. If it were me, I would want a more detailed explanation of what is really wrong before I start plunking down any serious money. These transmissions should last a lot longer than that.

 

Their diagnosis is to cover their ***. It could just need a valve body. But its expensive. They could sell you a valve body for $2300. But it might not fix it. Then what? A new trans comes with the valve body.

 

Your car is totaled then. Bummer that these cars lose value so much.

 

Yes... this seems odd... I just got a 2001 s60 2.4T in that had no transmission fluid change in 140,000 miles. It is still shifting like a dream. I think the dealer is trying to make some money on you. Like ES... said... get some other opinions it is probably something simpler than a whole transmission.

 

That's not what I said. I agree with the dealer. I'm just explaining why they recommend the trans.

I've seen customers take their car for a second opinion. Then another shop says it only needs a valve body. Then the customer gets mad at us for recommending a $6000 trans when "all it needs" is a $800 used valve body. Okay, good luck. Then they bring it back for the TCM update and guess who is upset when they drive away with a car that's still banging into gear. Now they are $950 in and still need a trans.

 

The dealership told me that the S60s from around 2001 have problems with transmissions. They had to put in new ones for a lot of cars. That dealership also said I needed around $5,500 worth of repairs that excluded the transmission. They told me to just buy a new car. I went to them last year. I got a second opinion afterwards about a year ago. The local mechanic said it was not worth it to repair it. He said to just buy a new car. He said that I would have to put in major work in the car within three months or so. It has been over a year now. it was a lie. He offered me $100 for my car. I said no. He then said that he buys cars from customers, repairs them, and sells them for a profit. I got a third opinion at Bridgestone (?). I was told there was nothing wrong with my car.

 

What does it need? I wouldn't go by Bridgestone just because its what you want to hear.

 

I am taking my car to the dealership, since I am getting a message that says the transmission needs to be checked. Would you recommend getting a new transmission or a new car? My friend said to just get a new car, even though I do not have the money. New Accords get about 36 MPG. Mine gets around 18.

 

I think you might find my experience helpful. I bought a 2001 S60 T5 with 101K on it. The dealer had a very short warranty on it. Within 10 miles, the transmission was slamming in the well-known way. The dealer paid to have just the valve body rebuilt. This was $1200, paid by the dealer. I also did that B4 servo upgrade thing myself. I also eventually changed the trans fluid for what I am sure was the first time.

The valve body thing worked and it was like new for about 5K -- beyond my short warranty. This was still on the old fluid, though. Some of the shifts into and out of drive and reverse were still occasionally abrupt. It never slipped. The dealer and I went back and forth on it and he said just drive it. And I have.

70,000 miles later (now at 171K) it hasn't gotten any worse. It occasionally is a bit abrupt going into gear, especially when hot. Most of the time it is OK. Every now and then when hot and after a long drive, there is a rough downshift coming to a stop. But usually not. It still never slips.

Most of the time just having the valve body rebuilt does it and an independent shop can handle that for a lot less than $2500. Change the fluid. If the car is in good shape (mine was, engine was awesome) then it will probably be worth it. My car can still easily get 30+ mpg on flat roads going 65 to 70 mph. Besting the EPA estimate after 16 years and 170K is impressive to me. If yours gets just 18 something else is very wrong. There will be other issues, if you have the white label ETM it will fail soon and strand you. You are probably due for control arms in front too. If those have not already been taken care of, then I'd get a newer one at this point.

I would not spend $5500 on a 2001 S60, I'd get a low mileage 2007-9 instead.

 

Thank you. I just guessed on 18 MPG. I do not remember what it exactly is.

I will think about what you said. My car will be checked tomorrow. Back in the summer of 2015, I was told that I needed a new transmission in about 13,000 miles. We will see what they tell me now.

 

I'd also wonder about any mechanic who would say you will need a new transmission in x miles. Unless he/she drained all the fluid out of it first.