Well, I was about at the end of my rope with the S70 (currently 205k miles)... have replaced various front end parts multiple times over the last 100k, and the front end has still been very noisy and kind of rough for the past 40k. Then in the last 20k, the front turn signal lamps kept falling out, grill under bumper fell out, and mechanic told me driver's side strut was coming out - he was right.

I didn't really have time to look for another car though, and so thought I'd take a little chance and just replace the whole front end at once - struts, mounts, spring seats, control arms, ball joints, inner/outer tie rods plus all the myriad little pieces, bought through FCP Groton and tried to select OEM where available, for $900. Even my mechanic was questioning my sanity - labor plus alignment, another $550.

I have to say the front end feels great now, tight and smoooth, and is silent, finally :-). So I am glad I did it.

Of course with the rough roads I drive delivering a beating, I doubt this will last, plus there is a list of other issues, but I think I'll keep the old Swede for one more year.

 

1 year will be 5 haha

 

Sounds like a good deal to me. I zip tied the front turn signal lamp. It hasn't came off since then.

 

1 year will turn into 2, 2 to 3 to 4, and so fourth. What's the mileage?

 

Haha, I had limited materials when mine fell out, so I tied it in with speaker wire. Worked like a charm, and it's still snug.

 

I actually just did almost all of those same repairs - front suspension, tie rods, control arms, etc. Mine just hit 208k. Now I'm having starting issues. I really want to get a newer car, but each individual problem is so small, it always seems like it's possible to fix just one more tiny thing and move on.

Suffice it to say, I feel your pain.

 

I replaced the sruts, shocks and ball joints last year at 140K km. looking for a better ride. Didn't help.
Our city streets are brutal, and the S70 as much as I love it rides like crap.

 

Did the front end at 175,000. Drove (and still does at 190,000) like a new car. If you want a trouble FREE car buy a new japanese car. But it won't be a Volvo. Just think of it as a car payment.

 

eww, what's the fun in driving an odd uncharacteristic Japanese car. I would rather be driving something that has more work involved in upkeep, but driving a finally built tank. BTW - Japanese cars aren't as reliable as you think, once something goes wrong its a chain reaction.