2004 Volvo S60 SE 2.4 D5

Summary:

Flawed suspension design and expensive to fix, but a lovable rogue

Faults:

The car was bought for £2400 with 82,000 miles.

In chronological order over two years:

- Intercooler & clutch switch, £750.

- Slave cylinder & clutch switch (oil leaking out of the slave killed it), £275.

- Suspension top mount (driver), £28.

- Drop links x 2, £40.

- Arm bushes front and back, SRS light reset, headlight adjust, £70.

- Cracked alloy, £88.

- Suspension top mount (driver), £28.

- Drop link, £20.

- Track rod end, £20.

- 4 Michelin Pilot tyres, £340.

- Tracking, full set of new correct wheel nuts, £75.

- Full set of discs and pads including handbrake shoes, £220.

- Bottom arms x 2, one tyre, tracking, £399.

TOTAL: £2353 (!)

General Comments:

Great to drive when it's working - never had a problem with it starting on the key, but the front suspension reliability is absolutely dreadful.

The car has basically fallen apart since the week I bought it; I regretted selling my Mondeo it replaced.

The appallingly small boot entrance means you can hardly get anything in the back of it unless you fold the seats forward and insert it through the back doors.

All in all, if it weren't for the constant trouble with it, I'd adore this car as it's comfortable, fast, characterful and handsome in appearance.

I'd love to buy another, but I don't think I could risk ending up with a lemon like this again!

Any small clunk from the suspension or play in the steering - WALK AWAY!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 28th April, 2015

28th Apr 2015, 21:43

To be fair to the car, you spent less than £150 on suspension parts, and judging by the fact you have listed the same parts twice, that suggests that cheap aftermarket parts were used, which always prove expensive in the long run...

Also the tracking, new tyres and cracked alloy are hardly the car's fault!

To be fair, it looks like it has proved to be reliable.

Yes, the D5s are heavy on front suspension parts generally, but otherwise, they're very reliable cars and are SO comfortable!!!! It's not trying to be as practical as a Mondeo, as it has more important things to do, such as look good, sound good, and look after you in an accident.

These S60s are just fantastic value for money second hand.

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2004 Volvo S60 D5 SE

Summary:

Hard to find a solid quality car at this price!

Faults:

The handbrake cable is a bit loose, LOL.

Also, sometimes get the engine service required message, which is likely a dirty EGR - does not affect driving at all.

General Comments:

Brilliantly fuel efficient, you will not believe how good a big car like an S60 D5 till you drive it. Its 70 litre tank can exceed 900 miles if driven sensibly!

Normal town condition MPG is 40+, my other half has a Lexus IS220D, and in that, town mpg is 20+

The seats are the best in the business - period.

The audio system is superb.

The engine sounds brilliant - it's like half a V10.

The car also has a lot of torque, and loves being driven.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th January, 2011

2004 Volvo S60 D5 2.4 163 bhp

Summary:

Comfort, Style and Build - I love it!

Faults:

Stereo crackled when the heated rear screen was switched on - new rear screen fitted under warranty.

Intermittent creak from the rear, unable to trace at the minute, checks show nothings wrong, could be the exhaust..

General Comments:

Fantastic comfort, I drive it for hours on end and the seats are amazing!

The ride can become a little rough on bad surfaces, but it generally glides around in a softish, relaxing way!

Always gets good comments, my friends can't believe how nice modern Volvo's are!

Performance is great, the surge from the turbo is addictive! It just keeps on accelerating! May get it chipped, I've driven the 185 model and it did feel that little bit quicker..

It does sound a bit to 'dieselly' sometimes which can be annoying, but minor compared to the plus point of 35mpg around town with spirited driving!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th December, 2007

21st Oct 2008, 11:04

Update! The car's now done over 43,000 miles and I've had no problems. The creak from the rear went a long time ago, don't know what it was, but it's gone now anyway!

I'm averaging 40mpg now with mostly town driving. It is an auto and I don't hang around, so can't complain!

Main dealer wanted £420 for a basic service! I used my Local Volvo specialist instead and they did a warranty service for £200, which included a £30 pollen filter. Why are main dealers so expensive?!

I've had 3 headlight bulbs replaced so far, very common with Volvo's. The Specialist changes them for £10, including the bulb. I can't get to it to do it myself, my hand was bleeding when I tried!