I was looking at couple S80's 2001 and 2002 6 cycl. 2.9 liter

I was wondering what the difference is in the arrangement of the Engine, Is one better quality for longevity?
2002 s80 2.9 [ http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...80/2002s80.jpg]
2001 S80 2.9 [ http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...5/s80/2001.jpg ]

Thanks in advance

 

Normally they agree the tranny on the 02 is much better...
do you have more info on the cars than just a pic of the engine.. mileage etc?

 

the vin?: YV1TS92D621273110

they say that: This vehicle's transmission shifts out nice and smooth from gear to gear. The engine is mechanically sound and can be driven anywhere with confidence. The elctrical and optional equipment on this vehicle has been checked to insure that it is all in working condition.

They say everything thing is been well maintained, but you can never be 100% sure.

 

Also, when looking for an S80 for quality longevity, what years and engines are the best? Which ones see the shops the least for repairs outside of regular maintainance?

 

02 was more reliable from the 01, I'd go for the 02, I have the 01t6(turbo)and have super many problems ( i dont think my previous owner took care of it- luckily i bought the warranty, so nothing out of my pocket). I also agree too the Tranny is better on the 02. My Transmission was rebuilt just 2 months ago, and my transmission when I got the car with 40k on it was shifting smoothly too. It wasnt till ~45k miles later that my transmission needed the rebuiding! Warranty took care of this too .

Lol those pictures loook way to clean!...for those years, Id be suspicious lol...

 

Honestly, if I had it to do over, I wouldn't buy an S80. I've owned the car for 3 years and so far I've had to do the following repairs: Oil separator replaced, turbo oil return line seals replaced, fuel door hinge replaced, brake rotors and pads replaced, driver's side axle replaced, auto-dimming mirror fixed, console cover replaced.In addition I'mgetting the "alarm system service required" message, my driver's side window won't roll down, and the sunroof reinforcement bars fell off then it quit working completely. This is the most unreliable car I've ever owned. It's a rolling money pit.

 

That sounds like some bad luck. I hope my parents about year ago got 2000 S80 t6 and the transmission was replaced before we got it by the Volvo dealer it only had one previous owner who ordered it online with all specifications. So far it is nice, but hope no problems arise like that. I'm trying to find a nice, reliable, long lasting car.

I have a 1990 740 with 291k miles, something that can do that again.

What car is the best quality and year currently for Volvo from around 2000 or so, something I can find with around 50k miles

 

You would be better served with a 2004 or newer. I had a 2000 that was plagued with one failure after another. I learned that was par for course with 1999-2000 models, and was told to buy a newer one as they did not suffer the same issues. The shop manager got Volvo to pick up some of my repairs under a "good will" kinda policybeyond thewarranty. ***I bought it in Dallas TX off Ebay. I suspected (after getting it home) thatit was in a tornado or some such incident as it appeared to have been sandblasted then painted over, not a bad job but a trained eye would see it.Car Fax showed no previous accident or damage history but it had been in Colorado.

The local dealer was/is a prince to work with. I bought the 2000 used in Nov 2003. I traded it in Nov 2004. Volvo wanted to keep me as a customer and made me a deal to trade up. I was NOT taking home the car I drove in and was about to head to BMW. The 2004 S80 T6 has done well, only mechanical failurehas beenheater fan and controller. It will average 21-23 mpg in town, 28-31 mpg hi-way depending on how I drive. It is very comfortable, and runs fine on regular gas. I use Mobile Synthetic 15w50 oil, at 7,500 mile intervals. Car uses nooil, starts the first time,and can be trusted to get my wife anywhere.It (the 2004) was bought atDarrell Waltrip Volvo in Franklin, TN.I was well treated by both shop andsales personnel.

My mechanical experience is 20+ years doing everything for sweeping shop floors to successfully managing a 100 truck fleet. Maintenance is a major part of my auto servicelife. Even the tires are aired up and rotated every oil change. I know how to get long lifeout of vehicles, and do.

I do believe you would bebetter served with a newer S80. The ownershipcost will be far less than repairs on older ones with factory issues. Older ones loose transmissions (I am told) about 70,000 miles, throttle bodies at 58,000 (like mine) electrical system failures somewhere in the mix and more. Again the 2004 I bought in 2004 is a great car. Oh, Darrell Waltrip himself drove it on a couple trips, so they gave me a discount on it and called it"the ol' man's" demo.

 

yeah.. its hit or miss with problem cars.. i guess i have a good one. besides normal maintenance that should have been done,(my timing belt tensioner ate through the timing cover..lol.. along with the belt) ive had no issues or troubles that everyone else on this site complains of. now ive done some upgrades from exhaust and ecu tunes that have caused some issues with the car, but as far as just normal poor design and flaw, ive yet to experience that with this car... and my wife still loves pulling up to a stop light and blowing a mustang gt out of the water..lol..

 

No offence bigern, I hope when I get married I will have a feisty wife like that haha

 

What about 2003 S80 with 6 cyl. engine? Are they any good? What was so different between 2003 and 2004 that would make the 03 model much worse than 04?