Leggy XC90 reliability?

[Murph7355]

Am looking at getting a 4x4 and had my heart set on a Defender. But looks like I don't fit - physically and a little bit mentally too (using a cold motor during winter isn't quite the happy thought it might once have been).

So am now thinking XC90.

I'd go for a D5, hopefully the 185bhp one. Auto. Budget 7k-10k which I think will mean a leggy example (100k-120k miles?).

This isn't really a problem for me depreciation wise, but can they hack the miles?

I've read diffs can be a problem. Presumably ones that have been fixed are stronger? Is there a way to tell if the job's been done other than just asking the vendor? Is it something that's likely to need doing on them all?

Are the engines ok for big miles? Gearboxes?

And what about the interiors? Tough enough or full of niggly bits as they get on in age. One attraction of the Defender was that there's nothing to go wrong!

Final question for now...what are servicing costs and schedules like?

Thanks in advance
Murph

[y2blade]

120k "leggy"? are you used to TVRs or something?

[Murph7355]

So are they a 200k miles car with no hassles?

Or less?

Do they need belt changes every so often or other maintenance items outside of fluids?

[y2blade]

not exactly.
The main issue is the early model AWD system is a weakness, but don't let that put you off as it is not that expensive to fix and the new parts are uprated.

If you are looking at newer than 2007 the parts are uprated anyway so not an issue.

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure that is the crux of it.

we have use of an early XC90 T6 (petrol) for towing the horse trailer with...that has already had the angle gear replaced..it is a fantastic car

edit: I'll do a more in-depth reply tonight from home

Edited by y2blade on Tuesday 13th September 13:51

[Murph7355]

Thanks for this.

Presumably it tows the horse box OK?

And is the angle gear the only part that goes? Think I've read it's a 1500 quid replacement?

[JimexPL]

AWD gear is a problem, but the car still operates fine in front wheel drive when it fails - many owners aren't aware that it has gone!
The T6 can eat gearboxes, mainly when used as a town car - I've seen them go at 20,000 miles. Others last without an issue.
Steering racks are a weak point on Volvos, again seen more on city cars spending all day going over speed bumps.

The D5 and 2.5T are generally reliable cars.

I'd have no issue in buying a leggy one as long as it has decent service history.

[y2blade]

Murph7355 said:

Thanks for this.

Presumably it tows the horse box OK?

And is the angle gear the only part that goes? Think I've read it's a 1500 quid replacement?

it tows the Horse box superbly (even with two horses in it) and has not got stuck even in the deep mud

the AWD issue (on the 2003-2007 cars) centres around the splines sheering....Volvo have always had weak AWD systems (otherwise I'd have bought a V70R instead of my T5 back then) dating back to the AWD 850 Cross Country (from the 1990s) and across the range including the newer V70R XC70 S60R XC90

As I understand it they sorted the system out (across the range) on the 2008 cars (if you are buying any pre-2008 AWD Volvo make sure the system has been sorted with the uprated parts)

JimexPL said:

AWD gear is a problem, but the car still operates fine in front wheel drive when it fails - many owners aren't aware that it has gone!
The T6 can eat gearboxes, mainly when used as a town car - I've seen them go at 20,000 miles. Others last without an issue.
Steering racks are a weak point on Volvos, again seen more on city cars spending all day going over speed bumps.

The D5 and 2.5T are generally reliable cars.

I'd have no issue in buying a leggy one as long as it has decent service history.

that is correct
the T6 has a GM box (only available as Auto)
the D5, V8 and T5 have different/better units

IF I were buying one, I'd be looking at a D5 (the T6 we use is ridiculous on fuel, as expected for a big heavy petrol AWD)

the owners of the XC90 we use also have Q7 and ML...the Volvo is always the one to get used first. It has the most comfortable ride and has the best interior (comfiest seats)...the Q7 has the best stereo and most room inside...the ML is used least.



edit: spelling

Edited by y2blade on Wednesday 14th September 09:47

[Murph7355]

Thanks again for that.

Test drive time this weekend I think.

[Busa mav]

I can only vouch for the engines here.

Had a T5 V70 with over 160k otc , engine still running fine. Now got a latest shape V70 185bhp D5 which is an excellent drive.

The horse trailer is pulled with an S60 D5 , the 163 bhp model has 140k otc but pulls like a train , struggles on the motorway to pull 6th with 2 550kg horses , but it is rare that 2 are taken to events.

As for the servicing , change the timing and auxilliary belts , oil and filters and that is all they get nowadays .Dont forget the fuel filter for the D5 !

One thing that has shown up on the V70 and S60 , rear n/s caliper siezed , endless attempts to clean it ended with me throwing in the towel and buying a new one both times.

oh , and the fuel flap hinge has broken on both , twice on the V70.

Central exhaust hanger on both also needed a weld at about 110k.

[Murph7355]

Well, Mrs got involved, budget went out of the window. XC90 in the garage. Dwarves are more leggy than this one, but it's a lovely car.

Feels a bit like driving a high chair compared to my usual wheels, but very comfortable and plenty quick enough. On limited experience it seems to chew fuel down the lanes, but all part of the fun

Now I need to find a Brian James Minno at a decent price...

[Murph7355]

PS Thanks for the advice guys.

[y2blade]

Murph7355 said:

Well, Mrs got involved, budget went out of the window. XC90 in the garage. Dwarves are more leggy than this one, but it's a lovely car.

Feels a bit like driving a high chair compared to my usual wheels, but very comfortable and plenty quick enough. On limited experience it seems to chew fuel down the lanes, but all part of the fun

Now I need to find a Brian James Minno at a decent price...

I look forward to some pictures of it..I loves these

Murph7355 said:

PS Thanks for the advice guys.

you are very welcome

[Murph7355]

Very poor phone photo...

[Petrolhead_Rich]

Murph7355 said:

Very poor phone photo...

Looks nice for a "leggy" example!!

[Murph7355]

Petrolhead_Rich said:

Looks nice for a "leggy" example!!

Indeed

I need to get the Mrs involved in all car buying decisions!

16k miles on this. On the bright side, it should last a fair while.

Couple of minor glitches have cropped up. And the engine seems quite noisy under load (am assuming this is a "feature" of the D5? It seems fine on the motorway). But I like it. And I couldn't get a wheel barrow (plus a week's shopping, 3 light fittings and a load of other carp) in the back of the other cars

[y2blade]

Murph7355 said:

Very poor phone photo...

looking good

what do you mean by "noisy under load?" is it a gruff throaty 5cyl induction roar?

or something mechanical? if it is the latter then I'd get it looked at! these cars/emgines are very refined for diesel units...nothing like the agricultural VAG units.

[Murph7355]

y2blade said:

...
what do you mean by "noisy under load?" is it a gruff throaty 5cyl induction roar?

or something mechanical? if it is the latter then I'd get it looked at! these cars/emgines are very refined for diesel units...nothing like the agricultural VAG units.

It sounds quite rattly, but I put that down to it being diesel (and tbh, my reference points are pretty much non-existent).

I'll have another drive this afternoon and try and be more descriptive. But you can definitely tell it's a diesel from inside the cabin.

Not sure whether it being an R-Design will make any difference (different exhaust set up)?

[Ranger 6]

Murph7355 said:

...the engine seems quite noisy under load (am assuming this is a "feature" of the D5?...

I've had a few lifts/rides in our neighbours XC90 - my perception is that the engine is very strained to achieve any sort of pace, it needs more grunt to carry the weight along and in comparison with a diesel 'six' it is gruff when under heavy load.

Edit: sorry forgot to mention the reliability aspect - theirs would've been impeccable if they'd kept to filling it with diesel....

Edited by Ranger 6 on Tuesday 4th October 08:36

[y2blade]

Ranger 6 said:

Murph7355 said:

...the engine seems quite noisy under load (am assuming this is a "feature" of the D5?...

I've had a few lifts/rides in our neighbours XC90 - my perception is that the engine is very strained to achieve any sort of pace, it needs more grunt to carry the weight along and in comparison with a diesel 'six' it is gruff when under heavy load.

good point about the extra load/weight the engine has to lug about in the XC90....my D5 point of reference is my S60 and the unit is very refined in that, it never feels strained even with 4 people and a boot full of luggage.

As said before We have use of a XC90 (quiet a often) for towing the horse trailer but that one is the T6 variant.

Edited by y2blade on Tuesday 4th October 08:55

[Ranger 6]

Yes, having been in plenty of Swedish taxis over the years the D5 is very smooth in the saloons, I was suprised at the difference TBH.