I'm looking to buy a 2002 S60 with 126K miles - the dealer says the turbo is built by Mitsubishi and is designed to last as long as the car does - with no recommended service/replacement timeframe or mileage... Is this OK?

 

My current S60R (2006) only has 55,000 miles and the turbo is fine (as I would expect). Turbos in general are engineered for long life given the harsh conditions under which they function.

In my prior SAAB life, I had 4 models that had turbos. No issues with any of them. One of them, my 1998, I sold to friend who still drives it without issue at about 175,000 miles.

 

I have replaced turbos at my dealership on vehicles with 70k miles and a car with 210,000 miles. Rarely do they go bad, but when they do, they failed because of lack of maintance 99% of the time. Do your oil change every 4k miles, and do it with synthetic! Do not skip on this. The T5 engine will last forever as it is used as a diesel in Europe as long as you maintain it properly.

 

Diana, please do yourself a favor and get written confirmation that the timing belt has been replaced. If not, its overdue to snap and ruing the valves, pistons and other vital parts. Its an expensive job, relatively speaking, and not one for a rookie wrench. While you're at it, ask about water pump (cheaper to pay labor one time than two) and pulley/tensioners (they can wear out and leak grease).

Second common trouble spot is the transmission. You want non-dirty pinkish fluid. Volvo, at least as of 2006, has no specific change interval for the trans fluid. Sure, and I'm a Miss America runner up, too. If its black and smells burned, you are looking at near-certain future trouble with the VERY expensive transmission.

Per posts here, Volvo turbos seem to be reliable things.

 

The only issues with the turbo i would check is at the Airbox(connected to the side 2inch x 1 inch box with red,blue,yellow colors on the end of the lines) you will see the TCV with 3 rubber Vac lines just check that they are not crack,stiff or bubbled at the clamps.If that looks ok and the car has been taken care of you should be good to go.

 

01 and 02s are said to have bad trannys. Do some more research before buying that 02. I would rather buy an 03 or newer it may just be a few thousands more but would save u a lot of headache and $$$ in the future.