hey all, I am thinking of buy an S80 T6, at the budget I am looking at,aroundthe $9000 markI think it will be1999 to 2001 with around 80 to 90,000 miles on it. AnythingI should be looking out for at this age/milage such ascommon faults and impending big service bills. Also how relyable are these cars? are they the kind of thing that breaks down every 5 minutes or breakdown once in a blue moon but cost the earth when they do?
many thanks
James

 

If you do a little reading on this forum, you would already have your answer. But let's just give you a little insite.

A car that cost over $40K new, then cost only $9K six years and 90Kmiles later. Hmmm think about that.

As for outrageous dealer cost, the answer is yes.. I would have to say an arm and a leg every single time. Once a while, you might have to give in an eye too.

But then again, beauty is everything, you make the call.

 

I'm in the same boat too; but I just dropped $600 or so on my last repairs on the N/A S80[:@].

 

JUST MAKE SURE YOU GET A WARRANTY :/...... especially in that year range ..... But the car is awesome in my experience, although I have had quite a few repairs---all done under warranty.... but the other thing is I drive my s80 t6 Hard......lotta turboing..... and it has a very soft, QUIET ride to it, makes my ride a joy

 

Guys you are rapidly scaring me into another S70 here would that be a better move? it is either that or a Mercedes or a BMW

 

I'm going to pitch in too. I too own a 99 N/A S80 with 134k miles. Great car and enjoy it, but how this car is set up I can't even work on it. The computer is purposely locked out by the dealer, so trying to have it serviced outside the dealer is impossible. Also I'm a college student going full time, and being a college student where you have a limited income to live on, being in college and having a high matenience car like mine don't mix. Oh and in response to your question, you could probably buy the moon several times over when you count up the repair costs and the nice fact that all replacement parts are dealer only.

Before I owned this car, I did all my own repairs on my vehicle. It's the person I am, and turning wrenches is something I like doing. But shortly after owning this car, I gave up on that idea. With all the unforgiving sensors and sensitivity from the engine, it's not worth my time. I had to replace the spark plugs recently. Obviously, I didn't want to pay for volvo plugs, so I bought some autolite ones. Long story short, car rejected the new plugs and started to misfire TERRIBLY. Took it to the dealer and once they put in OEM plugs the car stopped misfiring. And all for 75 bucks. I couldn't believe it.

Owning a s80 is like being ina bad marriage. You buy into it because it looks sexy as hell, but once the novelty wears off, it'll take your wallet and make you cry when it breaks down every other week. And almost every time, I've had to have my parents wire me money to help me outso I'm not taking it out of the money I have to live on.And I;m not kidding when I say every other week, 2 days after I bought my car...my alternator failed. Then 3 weeks later, my ABS module goes bad, which is an 850.00 part. Then, my TC serivce urgent notice comes up. Then my SRS airbag after installing a kenwood deck, which I find out the original radio is part of a computer network and putting in an aftermarket deck REQUIRES a 300 dollar software upgrade from the dealer. Then I decide to make my car sound better and had a custom exhaust system made up at a local muffler shop. I only had it done from the cats back, next thing I know the emission light comes on. Lastly I put on aftermarket wheels, thatthrew on another light having to do with the braking system.Then the engine starts misfiring, badly. Badly enough that I can't even drive the car. Took in, the TAC lines are shot and to repair the system cost me another 300 bucks. Same with the plugs. And now because I haven't repaired the ABS module when I'm driving around town the car randomly revs the engine and is unable to keep a constand idle at certain speeds.


Not saying it's worth your time, when I first bought my car I was in love with it. And I will state that despite the problems, I still do love it. But after breaking down 8 times in the last 3 months and almost 2,500 in repairs, it is growing a little tiresome.

I basically bought this car for it's safety and the fact that it was one of the best values as far as used euro luxury cars went with the 9k I had as a budget. That's really why.

Oh and to add insult to injury, 5 minutes after I picked up my car from the dealer after having yet another 500 dollars worth of repairs done....the shade on the sunroof jammed and won't let the glass open or shut. What gives. I was expecting a european car to have a lot better quality than this. Even for one that's almost 8 years old.

It's a weird situation. This last christmas, I saved up enough money on the side to personalize mine (Helga) pretty heavily.I totally redid the audio system in it, painted the calipers red, and bought 18" Voxx racing wheels with low profile tires and installed them. The car LOOKS AMAZING, far better than when Ibought it.but for the high level of matenience I put into it and making sure everything is changed right when it's supposed to, I sure don't get much back.

 

After reading Helga's response I guess I'll put in my 2 cents as well.

I got my S80 in 2003 during Winter break after my folks decided to give me a new car as a gift. Since my previous car wasVolvo 940 GL which got up to 145,000 miles or so (as well as the safety) the S80 was the next car I fell in love with. Since I am spoiled (but NOT a spoiled brat there's a difference) we settled for a nice pre-owned 2001 S80 with 21,000 miles for $22,000.

Well, first thing we find out is one of the tires had a bubble in it. Don't know how it developed (or when) but that dragged on for nearly a month before the dealer agreed to give us another tire (used too; it wasn't brand new either).

Things went ok. Then someone backed into my front grill sometime at school. Guess they were jealous or something. It'll cost me $250 just for that piece, and you gotta factor in labor. Well; it's been 4 years since that incident and I haven't replaced that yet.

Then my right side control link socket wore out. So every time I hit a bump my right side would make a noise because that link was hitting the frame. That cost me roughly $200 or so to replace.

Then that same day they tell my brake pads and brake discs all need replacement (and that I wouldn't have made much further before I would've heard grinding). Well that cost me $800. So I dropped $1000 that repair trip.

Noise was still there. Turns out the rubber stopper that prevents your wheel from hitting your arm was worn out and was causing noise.After 3-4 months of aggravation I replaced that.Another $200 or so out the window. That same day they tell me the cool air intake and electric supercharger that I sprung for (against S70's advice) were not going to work out. Yay another $500 out the window there.

FINALLY it turns out there's ONE LAST part causing noise. The bushing (male and female part) on the right side is worn and causing noise. But you have to buy both sides can't buy just one. That's $385 right there. Oh but wait my front tires need replacement too. Total bill that day: nearly $700.

Oh and did I mention I only have 58,000 miles so it's still too early to consider trading in? Everyone is furious with me for considering a T6 swap. Yet my manager at work is laughing his *** off at me because he hates European cars (and I have to defend it).

But yeah I still love my S80. Even if I can't install a cool air intake or electic supercharger (or even nitrous because I still don't know everything that is involved there).

 

I have you guys all beat

I own a 2001 volvo s80 t6 which i purchashed 1.5 years ago....... here is my problems :/(bought it from a delearship)-

-needed 3 new struts
-turbo's(both) needed to be resealed cause of over heating
-mass flow air sensor needed to be replaced
-no oil pressure- oil was causing sludge or something, resulted in free oil change
-SRS Air bag (1st time) - SRS module needed and seat belt
-Power steering tank leak(1st time)
-SRS air Bag (2nd time)
-Emmissions system problem--throttle body replaced
-Power Steereing tank leak(2nd time)
- SRS air bag 3rd time-had my car for 16 days due to the fact the parts ordered were commin in wrong, after 3 times they finally contacted volvo rep toget the right seat belt....
- new batterey
-Trans pan gasket leak
-Brake booster
-ABS module
-rear view mirror(it snapped at the joint)

-there is probably 5 or 6 other things i cant remmeber......

...the list drags on.... I have some current light issues right now...

-but it about 95% was done under warranty....just a drag when everyone knows you in the service department lmao.... but i like the car so much Id do it all over again...

......just my 5 cents

 

List of Chores since fall of 2004
-A/C developed leak (under warranty 450)
-Strut seats (I replaced them for about 150 w/ parts) dealer quotes about 1000 for both and they are guaranteed to break
-Vent Box (Replaced for about 100 w/gaskets for intake that you have to removeand vent box) took about 8 hours of labor, dealer quotes about 800
-Transmission flush, volvos don't seem to like cold weather (250) At that time the filter and gasket were replaced.
-Battery (even though the old one wasn't more than 3 years old (125)
-When the battery died, the Air Bag light went on, now I need to take it to the dealer to have it cleared. I live about 4 hours from the nearest one, it's been on for a year now.
-ABS/STC module (had it rebuilt for 125) dealer quotes about 800 for the part and another 200 for labor.
-Air Mass Sensor (This went out the day after I bought it, had to have the car towed to Volvo to get it fixed, no one could figure it out. (Cost the dealer about 375 to replace, under warranty)
-Struts are going out, looks like another 300 in parts.
-Hinge on the door for the gas cap is made of crappy plastic (only 12 dollar part) not too bad I replaced in 10 minutes. Dealer quoted 75 bucks.
-This car goes through tires like its' cool, each runs about 225-to 300 a piece depending which brand you like. I've got some cheap coopers now, I tried the nice good year but I went through a set in about a year and a half
-Can't forget the head light and tail light replacement, they go out every other month. I just carry spares w/me.

The ride is great on this car, but I hope you are mechanically inclined because even if you get warranty, it will expire one day. I only had about half the things replaced via warranty, i was on my own for the rest. Oh yeah, bought the car for about 16K back then owe about 10 on it now, car's worth about 6K, think about it. Maybe it's time to think about Japanese

 

Wow, all the senior and super users on here for a reason, looking for quick fixes that doesn't involve dealer rip offs.

Bottom line is this car was made to keep the dealers happy. Maybe this is the manufacturer's way of supporting their dealers. We are just part of the hidden agenda. Or may I say, dumb ***, stupid, irresponsible design and quality control. I was so glad to see a segment on the local news about the ETM trouble of this car. That put quite a hole in Volvo's image. At the same time, with the internet and forums now a day, I don't see how Volvo doesn't extend bumper to bumper warranty on this vehicle beside the ETM.

As soon as I brought it in thinking it was the ETM issue under warranty, I was hit with a $550 bill for Mass Airflow Meter.

And what's with the Front Side Suspension parts keep going out? Why the front right side? And I only have 46K miles on my car. Well, I'm due to change all front suspension parts this summer.

To Volvo: I hope you understand marketing. You loose one customer, you end up loosing their friends, family, relatives, co-workers, and everyone they ever known from buying your car, including forum users. So one mistake unsolved can cause you a hundred times that in bad business. The Volvo name goes down the tube as your bad judgement to continue denying volvo car owners security of owernership. Who the hell would want to buy your car again, when owners keep on thinking what could be next for the dealer. I mean when your car reached 50K miles, you bring in the carfor service of one thing, and you get a list of recommended services when you pickup your car. It's like feeding the dealer on a monthly basis. I'm not the type to by extended warranty, but anyone thinking of a volvo better by it up front or you will be sorry.

You guys break out old wounds every timethis topic comes up.
Back to licking my wounds again.[sm=forgetit.gif]

 

Well long story short, I'm not buying another volvo.

I'll buy a lexus or infinity if I want a reliable luxury car.

 

Even though with all these problems, I would be still inclined to buy another s80 v8 or a s60r awd , LoL any car i think I get I'll cause a light to go on the dash board lmao

 

You will be even worse if you buy a Lexus!!
Oil passages were designed way to small. The engines sludge up way to fast.

We have done 6 since we started working on the lexus in the last 3 months.

 

*Shrug*

My dad just bought a brand new 2007 Lexus ES350. It's fully loaded with all the options except for chrome rims.

Long story short he's owned it for 3 months now and it has no problems at all. He had to take it to the dealer once to get hit bluetooth phone setup, and even though his car is a lease he has own concierge (think that's how you spell it) that calls him and reminds him of serivicing, calls him up every now and then to see if he has any questions with the techy stuff on the car...etc.

I go to the dealer on mine and I'm lucky if they even remember if I have an appointment.

Not saying that I won't buy another necessarily, just nags me at times. I do love my car though, don't get me wrong.

 

If I were him I would change the oil early.

 

that and I cannot see comparing a 2007 lexus es350 to a 1999 volvo s80.... Im sure a lexus of that year would have just as many problems if not more :/

 

Agreed. If we compare say the 2007 S80 V6 or V8 to a 2007 Lexus EX350 then I'd say it's a fairer fight (and even then I still take the S80).

Which reminds me; I still hear some rubber noises in the morning and when I first pull the car away. The annoying sound when I hit bumps is gone; I'll have to take it back by the shop Sat for them to give it another peak.

Speaking of which I may consider going for Eibach or Koni after market struts/shocks/springs.....

 

I have heard about all these issues on the S80 T6 models older than 2001/2. What about the newer ones, say 2003 onwards? Are all these problems prevalent on these models as well? I am looking at buying a 2003 S80 T6 and was wondering if all these issues are still valid. I'm also looking at a 2003 Saab 9-5 Aero. Both have about the same mileage (57K) and are about the same price. Of course the Saab is a 4 Cyl-250 HP engine while the T6 has the 6 cyl-268 HP. Appreciate any of your inputs.

 

James,

Run away from Volvo. Do not look back. My list of issues is as extensive as anyone here. I had the extended warranty and most of my repairs were also covered under warranty, however, I had to threaten to sue twice and actually involved my attorney a third time. They should write their warranties on toilet paper because its worth crap.

Another point that maybe others could confirm. Twice --I've had a situation where something that needed to be repaired and was covered under warranty, the dealer tries to convince me its the mass flow air sensor. The first time, the transmission was acting up, they replaced the mass flow air sensor (under warranty of course)--6 weeks later my wife was stranded 300 miles from home. It was towed to a dealer in Seattle, who informed me that the transmission needed to be replaced (8 days before the warranty expired). The second was the throttle module -- the car has thrusted out into intersections-- in theory this should be covered by the new extended warranty, instead they replaced the mass flow air sensor at a $500 cost to me.

Just run...let me know if this convinced you to run. I've convinced 37 people to date to not even consider a Volvo--my goal is a 1000 direct "kills", with the belief that those 1000 people will warn their friends and family.

 

I'm exactly the same way. I would warn and persuade with all my ability for anyone not to buy a Volvo. This company needs to go down the tube for causing so much headaches and financial burden on people.

The info below is for the lawyer who made Volvo extended their ETM warranty. A TV news report was showing it on my local TV.

"Sorry it has taken me a little bit to get back to you.
The attorney who brought this suit wants anyone who has had[/align]the upgrade and is dissatisfied to contact him. [/align][/align]His name is Jeffrey Fazio. You can email him at [/align]jeffrey@fazmiclaw.com[/align][/align]Thanks so much for watching.[/align]