Hi everyone, I'm a newbie and am just looking for some advice/expertise/opinions on a 2002 S60 with 117,000 miles on it at ~ $6k asking price. I have not taken it for a test drive yet, but it's a loaded base model with auto trans (no turbo, which is fine by me). I had a very bad experience with a 2002 Audi A4 1.8T, so got rid of it and am now somewhat reluctant to try another older model foreign car.

This S60 is in excellent physical condition, new tires, new brakes, but I was just wondering if anyone knows of known common major problems with it. I am okay with minor stuff and can handle that maintenance myself, but I was just wondering if there were any major issues that people have come across. I failed to inquire before purchasing the Audi and later found out the costly maintenance nightmares that followed. I was going to purchase a 2002 Saab 9-5 Turbo, but feedback through forums indicated a potential major sludge problem, so I avoided that.

Thanks in advance everyone, any assistance is greatly appreciated.

Mike

 

1) TCM was a problem. If it is the Magnetti-Marelli one it is covered up to 10 years or 200K miles.
2) Transmission may need to be reprogrammed (by Volvo at the dealership, no charge) there was a Tech Bulletin about it.

Other than that I've been very happy with mine. Make sure the timing belt has been changed. Volvo says you can go futher, but most people here have them changed at 75K.

 

Stay away from 01-02 cuz of tranny prob. Look for 03 or newer.

 

I think you mean the ETM, not the TCM. The ETMs on the non turbo cars are rarely a problem.

TCM upgrade is not free.

70k timing belts are for the 850s. The P2 timing belts are good for 105k. Either way, this car has 116k so it should have been done.

Also, the 03 has the same transmission as the 01-02.

The 02 S60 is a very reliable car. A non-turbo FWD doesn't really have a lot that commonly goes wrong, aside from the usual suspension stuff (sway bar links, strut mounts, upper engine mount). That car sounds like a pretty good deal.

 

if you have a history of the car see if the transmission was ever serviced, if no history pull the transmission dipstick out and see how the fluid looks, it should be bright red.....I like my '03 a lot very nice driving car, easy to work on......

 

Thanks everyone for the input. I drove it yesterday, all seemed well. Gonna drive it again and check the tranny fluid, etc. and give it a thorough inspection. I hit a button by the light switch and got a warning message saying rear fog lamp out or something like that. Never heard of rear fog lights????

 

The rear fog light is just an extra light you can turn on to increase your visibilty to others from behind....

 

I'm telling you, stay away from that 02, go look for 03 or newer. You have been forewarned. But it's your money so it's up to you. Don't come back here whining if u encounter problems along the way w/ that 02.

 

Thats not a warning light, just a light to remind you that you have the rear fog light on.

 

I have a 2002 S60 and would not recommend one. I bought used with 35K miles 4 years ago and now it just turned 100K and a LOT of problems have come up; transmission, suspension, alternator, idler assembly, engine mounts, brake booster, I dont understand how a car with just 100K miles can have so many problems. I have always bought used cars in the past, usually with as many miles as my Volvo has now and have never had a car that has so many things go wrong with it.

The engine is strong though and I have had no electrical problems, the cars always starts and drives very nice.

Mark.

 

I have a 02' S60 170k on it now and no major problems with it, just regular maintenance and few blurps here and there, One pulley, struts, and yeah thats about it at the moment, take care of them, get the software updated ASAP, major help with the tranny, I would recommend synthetic oils (IMO) and decent spark plugs and yeah thats about it.. good car, has yet to let me down in anyway, A++

 

I have made this warning to more than a few folks and some listen but there are always the one that will not. You are 100% correct Buy 03 or newer

 

i have an 02 s60 2.4T AWD for 8 months now and can't really complain. i have to say the trannys are bad for 01 and 02 and can proove it because when i bought the car with 150k KM on it the tranny was just replaced with a new one. apparently the owner didn't change the oil on it and busted it but not sure.

other than that i changed the alternator but the shop said it's just bad luck as these electric parts could go bad or go forever.
and 2 sensors for the engine which again are parts that wear out or go forever.

pretty happy with the car though.. a pretty good drive and i recommend it.
just make sure you have a full maintenance history from the previous owner(a definite MUST have) and make sure the tranny is in good shape. you shouldn't have any major problems with it if it was well looked after.

 

Is your S60 a turbo?

 

Not much different between an '01 and '02 and my '01 S60 T5 with 104k has had a trans rebuild, 5 new ign coils, motor mounts, inner tie rods, upper strut bearings, new half-shafts and hub bearings, one window regulator (window broke as well when it fell in door), ETM problems now.

Interiors are great-the leather looks like new, and still comfortable. Paint work is good. Has had two side windows crack (laminated glass) in Texas sun (dealer gets $450/window).

I bought it from my nephew at 102k, and got $16,500 in repair receipts w/ the car. If you use a dealer, expect to PAY.

Bob