Hello all, I’m new to your forum and also new to Volvo’s. I’m looking at a 2001 S80 T6 and would like any information about the car any of you can tell me. Should I be concerned that it has 149,000 miles on it? How many miles can you usually get out of the V-6 Turbo? I’ve heard the S60 5 cylinder engine will go for close to 300k does the V-6 even come close to that? Thanks in advance for any info.

 

It's not the engine that is an issue with these cars, it's the transmission. Early S80s had GM manufactured and modified transmissions, and the result was less then stellar reliability. Most of these issues diminished in 2003 as there was a change to the transmission.

I'd look into the repair history of the car, specifically transmission service/repair/replacements as well as the timing belt replacement service before committing to purchase the car.

In reference to your comment about the 2.5T, it's really a strong engine and should give 300k easy with only normal maintenance (this includes the timing belt).

 

Mine has 205,000. Looks great, rides great and good on gas. Trade in value is zilch so I intend to keep it. But I do need to replace the timing belt, it has close to 100,000 on it.

 

I spoke with the seller about the timing belt and transmission. Apparently the timing belt was replaced in June of 09 (is this hard to replace?) As for the transmission he says he has had no issues? Car has 149,000 miles should I expect problems if I purchase the car?

 

If he's never had an issue with the transmission, that could mean he's taken good care of it (ie. very regular transmission fluid changes - above and beyond the guidelines in the book) or it could be something waiting to happen.

The timing belt isn't particularly hard, just not something someone with no experience doing should try because you can really mess up your car if you screw it up. Not replacing it on a regular schedule (guide calls for every 105,000 miles) can lead to the belt snapping and basically destroying the engine.

 

I’m told the car has been serviced regularly and he has all the receipts. My concern is he said the check engine light came on but also said it has happened before and it comes up with a gas cap problem? not affecting the way the car runs.
How many miles can you get out of the v-6 and also if needed what would it cost to rebuild the transmission or replace it? I’m capable of doing the work myself and the timing belt wouldn’t be a problem either.

 

I had a 2000 2.5.. My advice is to stay away. I got ride of mine pretty quickly. It was one thing after another.

 

Dont!


BTW This V6 expires exactly at 579871 KM

 

If you're in the US, there was no 2.5T (or 2.5) offered in 2000, this engine was not introduced into the S80 until 2004. There were two engines offered in 2000, a 2.9 NA and a 2.8 Twin Turbo (T6).

 

I have the T6 and never had any problems with the transmission either, other than replacing a selenoid for an upshift Judder.

209,000 km's

 

Its was a 2.9 NA. It was just a typo

 

RUN !! I am a Porsche restorer/mechanic for a living, so I know my way around a car pretty damn well. I own a 98 S70. GREAT CAR. However after my S70 purchase, my mom decided to get a 99 S80 T6. This car has been the biggest P.O.S. since the 85 Chrysler LeBaron she bought brand new. It has been one thing after another, the latest being the timing belt snapped with only 26,000 miles on it. It was done by a VERY reputable shop and I know the owner personally. I ended up replacing 5 valves and sanding the piston tops where almost every one hit. Just today I get a call from my dad that the rack is leaking all over the place. It was replaced by the dealer less than 2 years ago. SO far in the last year I have had to

Rebuild the top end of the engine
Replace all of the suspension ( normal wear )
Replace all of the brake system past the master cylinder ( normal wear )
Replace the fuel pump and lines ( recall I was unaware of at the time ) ( pump housing cracks and leaks fuel all under the rear seat )
And now replace the rack for the 2nd time in 2 years

My friend with the Volvo shop flat out said the 99-01 S80 was the biggest P.O.S. Volvo's name was ever on. Ford bought Volvo, designed the S80 and rushed it into production due to public demand. He also told me the trans would be the next thing to go. Get a non-Ford Volvo

 

I agree the early S80's have a lot of issues, the transmission being a GM model is also an issue (funny, a Volvo, owned by Ford with GM transmission).

The only comment is the timing belt. I don't understand how you can fault Volvo for this. It's an interference engine, like most with a timing belt and if the belt snapped prematurely (very in your case), that is either and install issue (which you've ruled out) or a manufacturing issue in the belt (or related part that was not replaced at the same time - ie. idler pulley or tensioner). Was it a Volvo timing belt or an aftermarket, third party belt?

 

The belt was a O.E. belt, I am certain there was a fault within the belt itself. HOWEVER I blame the engineers because timing belts on interference engines has been a well known and well documented issues for years now. IMO an interference engine should run a chain setup or it shouldn't be interference. I don't understand why in this day and age manufacturers don't use timing CHAINS like they used to.




Oh wait I do understand, they will make more money in the long run with belts due to the replacement intervals, and when they do snap they take out valves, ocassionaly a piston, and in some cases ruin the whole engine. It's all about money. H.P. has absolutely nothing to do with it. Am muscle cars ALL had chains, 911's had chains all the way up to the 1000 h.p. + can am cars.

 

Just bought mine an 04 one owner carfax 60k miles tranny went out at 62k POS GM SUX and so does volvo for putting an engine that make 280 lbs torque with a tranny rated for 280 lbs max torque and to top off throw in a car that weighs 2 tons. Good thing i didnt pay 50 k new for it

 

04=AW tranny, not GM.