HIgh Mileage Volvo Diesel

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Wed 10 Nov 2004 16:35
HIgh Mileage Volvo Diesel - Happy Blue!
Seriously thining about buying a Volvo S80 D5 auto. It is 10 months old and has 30,000miles. The history is that it was a chauffeur driven car ferrying hotel guests between Central London and the airports.

I know the S80 model well (I have just sold a 2.9), but what should I look for when buying it and what should I do once I do buy it, assuming that I do?

Thanks

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Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
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Wed 10 Nov 2004 16:43
HIgh Mileage Volvo Diesel - Altea Ego
None volvo specific here, but assuming general car use things.

30k in 10 months? Central London to Airports?
Well the engine should be wearing its miles well sounds like it barely got cold. Assuming tho that well over half the mileage is London start/stop the brakes will need a look see. Pads and disks. Might have been 5 up with lots of luggage a few times.
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Wed 10 Nov 2004 17:07
HIgh Mileage Volvo Diesel - PhilDews
30K in 10 months ain't all that bad - I manage about 3K a month generally, without any really long distance trips.

Its the consumables that will need to be considered, as RF says - brakes, tyres, possibly shocks - if theres been a lot of driving over speed humps with 4 passengers + luggage....

Presumably its covered under warranty? Might be worth having a look at the garages record of servicing, to see whether its had any none-standard repairs done (whether warranty or not)

Hope this helps....
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Wed 10 Nov 2004 17:47
HIgh Mileage Volvo S80 D5 - Honestjohn
Tendency to develop front suspension problems.

HJ
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Wed 10 Nov 2004 19:51
HIgh Mileage Volvo S80 D5 - Happy Blue!
Thanks guys. Anything specific about diesels I should be aware of at this level of mileage for such a young car..

I'd forgotten about consumables e.g brake pads. I suppose I can ask for them to be checked and replaced if 75% worn. The car is auto, so no clutch problems and I will take it for a drive so will check if it feels like my S80 or not. Will have an idea about shocks and front suspension bits. My last S80 had a minor clunk when stopping and starting, but it never got worse and the car handled fine.

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Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
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Wed 10 Nov 2004 19:51
HIgh Mileage Volvo S80 D5 - SjB {P}
> Tendency to develop front suspension problems.

To be specific, replacing track rod ends and suspension bushes is quite common at this mileage from what I've read at www.volvospy.com and forums.swedespeed.com

This design issue affects S60, S80, and unfortunately, V70 models like my 2003 2.4T SE. Much however depends on the life that the car has lead, and my father's very early RHD S80, owned from new, had a Volvo track rod recall when new, and over five years later is still on the otherwise original setup. Not a hint of a problem.

BTW my brother has a 2003 V70 D5 auto.
What a corker.
If ever there is a perfect engine and gearbox marriage, this is it. I dislike the power delivery of most modern diesels, and never want an auto box (I derive pleasure from seamless manual changes and rarely drive in heavy commuter traffic), but have been seriously impressed by his car. He has had absolutely no problems at all with anything (beyond aquaplaning in deep standing water when on cruise control (bad boy - this is a no no) and hitting a French autoroute central reservation quite hard, er hum)

Finally, as I posted in another thread a few days ago: Late last year whilst working in Stockholm, I took a ride in a nine month old Volvo V70 D5 auto taxi with 187,500 km (Just over 116,000 miles) on the clock.

This equates to some 13,000 miles per month! I asked the cabbie "How come?", to which he replied that the car is driven in shifts by a number of drivers, and utilisation exceeds 20 hours per day. No technical work had been needed beyond monthly 'annual'(!) services.
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