Hi all,
I'm looking at buying an '01/02 S60 here in Australia and so far both cars (2.4T and T5) that I have test driven had transmission issues with hunting for gears when stopped/idle and clunky changes. Looks like owners are looking to get rid of them rather than footing an expensive repair bill.

So I'm starting to think that ALL these cars will have transmission problems at some stage in their lives. Are they really that bad and how many km's can one expect them to last? Has anyone managed to put decently high miles on their S60 before the transmission failed?

Thanks.

 

I have an 02 S60 2.4T with geartronic auto 5 speed. 106k miles. had a B4 servo cap and updated valve body installed under warranty at 40k with a would-be pricetag of $1400. I had the fluid flushed at 60K and am about to have it done again just to be good about it. It shifts very stiff and clunks when putting it into and out of drive and reverse but has never had a problem. I beat the crap out of this car but maintain it well. I am on here tonight because my first problem in 60k is that the trunk release isnt working.

My best advice:

Dont get anything older than an 02. I say this because first years are still beta IMO and once the company has feedback from the market they implement changes if not out of good faith at least out of good PR.

Steer clear of the non-turbo models.

Most importantly if you get an older one make sure you have full service records, pay the cash and have it inspected. Cars are a crapshoot, whether new or used, but I am sure you know that.

I say this as a value shopper. Take the statistical impression about the geartronic transmissions with a grain of salt. make sure its been well maintained and get it inspected. These are great cars.

 

Can you elaborate on why to steer clear away from non-Turbo s60's?

 

welp, a quick google search and a lot of reading will let you know that the non-turbo s-60s
are only front wheel drive. But that aside and having a 01' myself here are a few things I've had to go through

-Software update...twice.

The purpose of the software update was to recalibrate the TB position. And than again to change the shift change timing for the transition. From what I've read and been told it retarded the change to under the power curve to try and keep the transmission from blowing then selves up.

- 2002+ models get a completely reworked transmission. This is because they go all wheel and the old model was sooo bad that they went back to the drawing board.


further reading
http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/for...art=14#p101452

 

Thanks alot as I am looking at either a s80 (turbo) or a s60 non turbo.

 

I researched this car for two years before actually buying one. I dont remember the specifics, and I am not sure whether the issues with the non turbos got fixed or recalled or whatever. Buy I remember reading up on many issues related to the NA S60s. I started researching in 04 and purchased in 06

In the end the best bang for the buck ended up being the 02 and up turbo model. Which is what I set out to find, after that it was just trim levels etc.

 

I have an '03 S60, non turbo 2.4 non North American spec car, it has just over 105k km. This car is proving to be very nice, it shifts beatifully, I drive on some side roads through some hills most days and am forever having to pass slow moving traffic. Most workdays I drive a short highway stint and run about 160km/hr. I have done several long trips in the car where I ran consistantly over 160km/hr for hours on end. I have done 3 drain and fills on the tranny and because of my hard driving plan on doing a tranny drain and fill at each oil change interval. I do find the car bottoms out easily on dirt roads or on the high curbs leading into driveways. I have had a couple of times where I hit exit/on ramps too fast and had some understeer but the car handles quite well and is very predictable.

 

my two cents:

The 01 models had some flash shift, idle stop problems but that got corrected with the updated software.

I have an 02 NA, and the trans woudn't have any more or less issues than a turbo model.

I did get proactive and replace the B4 servo to make sure I had no problems. Plus I yearly do drain and fills with Mobil 3309.

I have 129,000 miles and it's still the best car I ever owned, knock on wood. Shifts perfectly.

I have also convinced myself that geartronic transmissions especially 01's are to be avoided at all costs.

 

Thanks for all the feedback. I disagree with Erik though since at least here in Australia ALL S60's made from '01 to '03 were FRONT wheel drive ONLY (whether Turbo or not) with the exception of the AWD model that came out in '02 which yes was only available in Turbo form. I can't comment about what Volvo may have done in other countries but I'm only considering TURBO (preferably T5) models for performance reasons and not AWD.

One NEW question: Are the AUTO transmissions in the AWD models BETTER (meaning SMOOTHER and more RELIABLE) than all the other previous 2.4T/T5 models? Am I better off buying an AWD instead? And if so are the '03 AWD models BETTER than '02??

I hadn't really considered AWD models as they're a bit less powerful than the T5 and AWD may just mean MORE expensive things that can go wrong, especially in relatively warm climates as here in Australia where AWD does not really provide a huge advantage.

Thanks.

 

Glad to see FredMC chimed in here. Hes always got good input.

As for AWD, IMO unless you need it in the snow more than three months out of the year dont even bother. Its just more moving parts to wear.

Ive only had one S60 and that has geartronic. I had the B4 and valve body replaced before it destroyed everything, from what I understand the cap works loose from the solenoid and that translates to a late shift. Ive got 107k on it and its the same as it was after I had that stuff replaced at 40K...

 

I can't speak for any other 2001 non-turbo S-60's. But my North America version has over 125,000 miles with no automatic transmission problems. It shifts smoother than any other car that I have ever driven. Much smoother than my 2006 Dodge Caravan.

 

My 2002 t5 with geartronic has an unusually long delay before engaging when shifting fron reverse to drive.
Can anyone give me any advice. Thanks in advance

 

My 01 NA has 103k miles on it, and the tranny still shifts smooth as butter I think it depends on how well the car was treated and how good the previous owners were with servicing it.. I'm the second owner and before I bought the car I was provided with receipts showing servicing from day 1.

 

I have an '01 T5 and am at 132k miles.

Mine "clunks" into D from R about 80% of the time, has the delay from R to D and has a delayed shift from 2nd to 3rd on a cold start. Someone told me the delay from 2nd to 3rd on a cold start was how it was designed, to use the heat from reving the engine higher for a longer period of time to warm the oil or something of that sort. The car has had the B4 Servo cover replaced, the fluid drained and filled and has had all the software updates. Still has the problems listed above. Next thing on the list and the last possible fix I know of is to replace the transmission mount. I ordered one from IPD and will install it when it arrives. I'll report back if it helps for not. I know mine is probably shot because when I let off the accelerator I can feel a slight "clunk".