V90 - Which engine most reliable?
Discussion
Dracoro said:
Thanks.
As I understand it, many (not all?) have rear air suspension which I gather smooths the ride a lot. But need to make sure it has this of course.
Once at cruising speed, is the engine quiet?
Have a mate with a D4 that's taking me out later this week, should help my decision.....
I think most have the leaf spring as Volvo pitch this as an innovation. I believe the spec item you need to look for is "Four-C" to confirm it has air suspension.As I understand it, many (not all?) have rear air suspension which I gather smooths the ride a lot. But need to make sure it has this of course.
Once at cruising speed, is the engine quiet?
Have a mate with a D4 that's taking me out later this week, should help my decision.....
The non-Cross Country V90 D4 is also FWD rather than AWD if the number of driven wheels is a factor for you.
Cruising on motorways is fine and the Pilot Assist function is good. Noticeable engine noise only occurs under acceleration. Tyre noise is always there but that might just be the all seasons.
The police scrapped all of their BMW 6 cylinder n57 diesel (2008-2019) engined cars. Dangerous failures so they've moved to Volvo.
They were that concerned they scrapped all the engine blocks by drilling
I'd go Mercedes E Class 220 or Volvo. Mercedes has a bigger boot / dash / smooth ride on small wheels. Volvo more comfortable seats, better autonomous tech, better sat nav + standard stereo.
I have had V90 - R design from new, B4 mild Hybrid and its a fantastic car, great economy, on a run i can manage 62mpg if careful, its tows our caravan with ease and has more than enough grunt, although Polestar optimised. No issues at all and currently on 49k and just replaced front tyres. We have air suspension and and the volvo tow bar, looks good, goes ok and great for me and my family. 
bennno said:
The police scrapped all of their BMW 6 cylinder n57 diesel (2008-2019) engined cars. Dangerous failures so they've moved to Volvo.
They were that concerned they scrapped all the engine blocks by drilling
I'd go Mercedes E Class 220 or Volvo. Mercedes has a bigger boot / dash / smooth ride on small wheels. Volvo more comfortable seats, better autonomous tech, better sat nav + standard stereo.
Police use vs average Joe use is quite different. They were that concerned they scrapped all the engine blocks by drilling
I'd go Mercedes E Class 220 or Volvo. Mercedes has a bigger boot / dash / smooth ride on small wheels. Volvo more comfortable seats, better autonomous tech, better sat nav + standard stereo.
I had a 2018 V90 CC T6 and did about 30k in it. Quite rare, only 50ish in the UK.
Apart from a weird software glitch when first bought caused by a low battery, it's was solid as a rock.
Fast enough to surprise people. Was a nice place to sit. Boot was big, and massive with the rear seats down.
It did feel like driving a barge, it kinda floated along effortlessly
It had a turning circle of a oil tanker......
It's still up for sale at the garage I traded it in.
Apart from a weird software glitch when first bought caused by a low battery, it's was solid as a rock.
Fast enough to surprise people. Was a nice place to sit. Boot was big, and massive with the rear seats down.
It did feel like driving a barge, it kinda floated along effortlessly
It had a turning circle of a oil tanker......
It's still up for sale at the garage I traded it in.
I had a D4 Inscription for a couple of years. Big and floaty (my daily was an M3, so most things felt floaty, tbf). Very comfy doing big miles. Good on fuel and enough torque to potter no trouble. Nappa leather in that one which was very nice (better than the same in the BMW). Reliable apart from the dpf needed cleaning at one point, but it only tended to do short journeys so not very surprised.
It was followed by a T4 V60 and that wasn't as good in pretty much every respect.
It was followed by a T4 V60 and that wasn't as good in pretty much every respect.
Dracoro said:
Anyone know if there’s much (if any) differences in performance between equivalent FWD and AWD variants?
D5/T5 and upwards got AWD; anything lower got FWD. T4 is 190bhp, T5 is 250bhp. The AWD models are FWD most of the time except when moving off or in periods of reduced front traction. Works seamlessly and no complaints. Traction and cornering in all weathers has been great.
skyebear said:
Dracoro said:
Anyone know if there’s much (if any) differences in performance between equivalent FWD and AWD variants?
D5/T5 and upwards got AWD; anything lower got FWD. T4 is 190bhp, T5 is 250bhp. The AWD models are FWD most of the time except when moving off or in periods of reduced front traction. Works seamlessly and no complaints. Traction and cornering in all weathers has been great.
I was looking at a V90, but many of the xc's had been lowered which for me defeats the idea of having awd.
So I went for an older 2016 XC70 with the wonderful D5 2.4 engine which pulls like a train. MPG is 37-45 mpg at times and about 23-25 mpg towing, but does it all with no effort. I would keep an eye out for the XC70, but do like the V90's I just wish more people would say nice things about them.
Volvo need to get their finger out and make sure they are A1 when they start making estates again
So I went for an older 2016 XC70 with the wonderful D5 2.4 engine which pulls like a train. MPG is 37-45 mpg at times and about 23-25 mpg towing, but does it all with no effort. I would keep an eye out for the XC70, but do like the V90's I just wish more people would say nice things about them.
Volvo need to get their finger out and make sure they are A1 when they start making estates again
Master Bean said:
Police use vs average Joe use is quite different.
Issues with Police BMWs were to do with overheating due to usage case- Drive the car to the max chasing bad guy
- Stop suddenly
- Start car without car cooling down
- Drive car to the max
- Repeat over and over
- Car sets on fire
From my simplistic understanding....
NomadicTurbo said:
Master Bean said:
Police use vs average Joe use is quite different.
Issues with Police BMWs were to do with overheating due to usage case- Drive the car to the max chasing bad guy
- Stop suddenly
- Start car without car cooling down
- Drive car to the max
- Repeat over and over
- Car sets on fire
From my simplistic understanding....
All I can say that I loved our T5 CC, relaxed, effortless and utterly comfortable. Did South Coast to Cumbria in one hit and got out feeling nearly as fresh as when I got in.
I can't say I recognise what the 1st reply said about the engine, yes it's no 6 cylinder, but it picked up speed easily, as you learnt to work the gearbox. Just wished it did more than 26mpg, but as I was only doing 7000 miles a year, it didn't really matter.
I can't say I recognise what the 1st reply said about the engine, yes it's no 6 cylinder, but it picked up speed easily, as you learnt to work the gearbox. Just wished it did more than 26mpg, but as I was only doing 7000 miles a year, it didn't really matter.
Dracoro said:
RE: D4/AWD - I ask as I am looking at Cross Country models (all of which are AWD) and many have the D4 engine… In fact, can hardly find any D5 engined ones. A few (not many) T5 CCs about.
I think the D4 would be a miserable thing to live with. What's your budget? There's a few T6 available which represent great value. The Ocean Race spec is horrific but that's just my opinion.Forester1965 said:
I had a D4 and it was fine. It's just under 200bhp with the usual diesel slug of torque. They're not cars designed for attacking apexes.
I have the D4 VEA in my V40. First issue last month. Hole in boost hose so went into limp mode. Garage couldn’t diagnose, Volvo breakdown did. With the Polestar software is ok. Does a solid 50MPG and it great on the motorway. Plenty in there for a 65mph overtake. skyebear said:
What's your budget? There's a few T6 available which represent great value. The Ocean Race spec is horrific but that's just my opinion.
Other than more power, I would think the T5 would be more reliable than the T6 with its elec supercharger as well as turbo? Then may as well look at T8!That said, I’m not aware that the CC comes with the T8 either….
Budget £20-£25k.
What is ocean race spec?
Dracoro said:
Other than more power, I would think the T5 would be more reliable than the T6 with its elec supercharger as well as turbo? Then may as well look at T8!
That said, I’m not aware that the CC comes with the T8 either….
Budget £20-£25k.
What is ocean race spec?
V90 T8 seem to be vanishingly rare.That said, I’m not aware that the CC comes with the T8 either….
Budget £20-£25k.
What is ocean race spec?
I think the T6 supercharger is just a normal belt driven one.
Ocean Race was a limited spec that I think only came in T6. Something to mark a Volvo sponsorship of a boat race. America's Cup maybe? You'll either love or hate the colour scheme which is white with grey and orange accents.
ts and giggles, try and find one with the B&W hifi upgrade (think it was about a £3.5k option). Gassing Station | Volvo & Polestar | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff