'03 plate XC90 T6 100k miles. Advice sought.

'03 plate XC90 T6 100k miles. Advice sought.

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Big Rod

Original Poster:

6,232 posts

222 months

Tuesday 12th November 2013
quotequote all
Long story short, we've got two 7 seaters, (one of which is a 4x4), and there's no point in having the two of them so I'm looking at consolidating them into one car for people carrying and towing functions.

The XC90 pretty much ticks every box and I've found a 2.9 petrol that looks good. I have however found a lot of noise on 'out there' regarding issues with the GM gearbox in these cars and the fact that they're just not up to the job.

Can any of you tell me if these are the 'ticking timebombs' that many people say they are or are they generally OK?

steve1

1,251 posts

250 months

Tuesday 12th November 2013
quotequote all
Well I'll be, just about to post up about the very same thing, I've currently got the V50 T5 and want something a bit better for over the winter period, but would also like the build quality that I've got used to having with my current ride.
There is one very close to me on good do evil bay that looks promising, it's got a few things that need sorting, service/anti-skid light on/air bag service light on, and will probably need a couple of tyres soon.
But if it comes at the right price then I don't mind sorting these niggles out, hopefully only a sensor for the anti-skid, ( unless you lot know different ).
I'd be interested in anything you have to add to the post above as well.

y2blade

56,202 posts

221 months

Tuesday 12th November 2013
quotequote all
Ours has been good so far but it is ultra low mileage, just reached 50k at the weekend...and has had the additional cooler for gearbox fluid fitted.
The GM auto-box on these is a timebomb, have a look on the owners forums or google it.
http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=691...
https://www.google.co.uk/#q=volvo+xc90+t6+transmis...
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Volvo+...

If it has had a new box then go for it, it is a mega car with a superb motor.
If it hasn't I'd factor in a sub £2k repair bill.

Big Rod

Original Poster:

6,232 posts

222 months

Tuesday 12th November 2013
quotequote all
Well, the one I'm hopefully going to look at seems to be in perfect order.

The downside is that the vendor, who's had the car for three years, has misplaced the previous service record. The V5 however shows that the previous keeper to him seemed to have had it as a company car at a Volvo dealer.

He's said that he's recently treated it to a full service which could be a double edged sword as he says he's changed the ATF too. Now I'm not sure if he's done that because he jus likes to look after his cars or whether he's hiding burnt fluid. He has sworn that the gearbox is in perfect condition though and he does sound genuine.

I have read alot of forums with people cursing the transmissions but there are also others on the same threads that say they've had no trouble. And let's face it, you're most likely to find complaints on any forum aren't you.

If it wasn't for this doubt I'd be taking his arm off for it right now.

Big Rod

Original Poster:

6,232 posts

222 months

Tuesday 12th November 2013
quotequote all
y2blade said:
...and has had the additional cooler for gearbox fluid fitted.
Is that something I can fit myself or did they come from the factory like that?

Big Rod

Original Poster:

6,232 posts

222 months

Tuesday 12th November 2013
quotequote all
steve1 said:
Well I'll be, just about to post up about the very same thing, I've currently got the V50 T5 and want something a bit better for over the winter period, but would also like the build quality that I've got used to having with my current ride.
There is one very close to me on good do evil bay that looks promising, it's got a few things that need sorting, service/anti-skid light on/air bag service light on, and will probably need a couple of tyres soon.
But if it comes at the right price then I don't mind sorting these niggles out, hopefully only a sensor for the anti-skid, ( unless you lot know different ).
I'd be interested in anything you have to add to the post above as well.
Is it the 2.4 T5 or 2.9 T6 you're looking at?

The T5 has the 'splines' issue which is a fairly cheap preventative maintenance fix but if it's already failed then it can be about £1200. To test it, drive onto some wet grass or mud, de-activate the DSTC, (anti slip), accelerate briskly and make sure all four wheels spin.

Dog Star

16,376 posts

174 months

Tuesday 12th November 2013
quotequote all
Anti skid warning is usually the clock spring. Budget about £500 at an independent.

y2blade

56,202 posts

221 months

Tuesday 12th November 2013
quotequote all
Big Rod said:
y2blade said:
...and has had the additional cooler for gearbox fluid fitted.
Is that something I can fit myself or did they come from the factory like that?
Ours already had it fitted, but plenty have DIY'd them.
Looks straight forward enough if you are that way minded.

Big Rod

Original Poster:

6,232 posts

222 months

Wednesday 13th November 2013
quotequote all
y2blade said:
Ours already had it fitted, but plenty have DIY'd them.
Looks straight forward enough if you are that way minded.
Where might one procure such an item or would it just be a generac iol cooler?

y2blade

56,202 posts

221 months

Wednesday 13th November 2013
quotequote all
Big Rod said:
y2blade said:
Ours already had it fitted, but plenty have DIY'd them.
Looks straight forward enough if you are that way minded.
Where might one procure such an item or would it just be a generac iol cooler?
I've no idea tbh, I can't see it being anything other then a generic plumbed-in transmission fluid cooler.
Might be worth searching on the Volvo owners forum or asking a question on there.

HTH coffee


Big Rod

Original Poster:

6,232 posts

222 months

Wednesday 13th November 2013
quotequote all
y2blade said:
I've no idea tbh, I can't see it being anything other then a generic plumbed-in transmission fluid cooler.
Might be worth searching on the Volvo owners forum or asking a question on there.

HTH coffee
Aye, I'll do that if I buy the thing.

(Although the vendor has gone a bit quiet since I asked him to get the service record from the dealer.)

Big Rod

Original Poster:

6,232 posts

222 months

Wednesday 13th November 2013
quotequote all
Decided not to buy that one.

I think the guy was being as honest as a vendor can be but the lack ofhistory of a cam-belt replacement and the fact he told me the power steering pump had started to whine this morning has put me off.

I mean, while it's an old car, if I'm gonna spend a fair bit of money on buying it, (in my books at least), I don't want to be sending it straight to a garage for some remedial work.

Maybe I'm being fussy but I just didn't have a good 'feeling' about it. And that's not the vendor's fault. It is what it is and he wasn't selling it as anything other than that.

It's a shame as the XC90 ticks every box except what I've learned over the past week or so.

Don't get me wrong, there's always the possibility of a car breaking down somewhere and I wouldn't have an issue if it were to be my own car but this is for my Wife to ferry the mugwumps around and I don't like the thought of the cogbox giving up at the least opportune of times.

Maybe I'll look again next year and try to find one with S/H and a record of a recent gearbox swap out.

I'll stick with the dirty old Pajero until the snowmageddon subsides!! smile

y2blade

56,202 posts

221 months

Wednesday 13th November 2013
quotequote all
Good call.

Tbh as someone else said already i'd be looking for an 05 or newer 185bhp D5 and get it remapped.
Out of interest how much is the T6 in question going for?


All the best
Chris.

Big Rod

Original Poster:

6,232 posts

222 months

Wednesday 13th November 2013
quotequote all
y2blade said:
Good call.

Tbh as someone else said already i'd be looking for an 05 or newer 185bhp D5 and get it remapped.
Out of interest how much is the T6 in question going for?


All the best
Chris.
Ad' here...

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/xc90...

Keen price and a nice looking car. (If you want more info' PM me.)...

...Just something telling me 'no'.

The thing is, we have a very large caravan and the 180 bhp, (mapped T5), just doesn't fill me with confidence. I know diseasels are all about the torque and whatnot but I like having a bit of 'oomph' behind the loud pedal which is why the T6 fills me with 'want'.

I have a mate who has a T5 of a similar vintage. He's had it 'chipped' and can only report it as being 'adequate' when towing his similarly sized 'van.

I can't imagine going from the 200+ HP, (when it left the factory!), Pajero to something considerably less.

Edited by Big Rod on Wednesday 13th November 22:59

y2blade

56,202 posts

221 months

Thursday 14th November 2013
quotequote all
Big Rod said:
y2blade said:
Good call.

Tbh as someone else said already i'd be looking for an 05 or newer 185bhp D5 and get it remapped.
Out of interest how much is the T6 in question going for?


All the best
Chris.
Ad' here...

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/xc90...

Keen price and a nice looking car. (If you want more info' PM me.)...

...Just something telling me 'no'.

The thing is, we have a very large caravan and the 180 bhp, (mapped T5), just doesn't fill me with confidence. I know diseasels are all about the torque and whatnot but I like having a bit of 'oomph' behind the loud pedal which is why the T6 fills me with 'want'.

I have a mate who has a T5 of a similar vintage. He's had it 'chipped' and can only report it as being 'adequate' when towing his similarly sized 'van.

I can't imagine going from the 200+ HP, (when it left the factory!), Pajero to something considerably less.

Edited by Big Rod on Wednesday 13th November 22:59
Thanks for the link I'm not a fan of Gumtree tbh.

I hear you, ours is used to tow the Horse trailer...it doesn't bat an eyelid.
My thread about it here
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=1&a...

All the best with your hunt for one.
coffee

Big Rod

Original Poster:

6,232 posts

222 months

Thursday 14th November 2013
quotequote all
y2blade said:
Thanks for the link I'm not a fan of Gumtree tbh.

I hear you, ours is used to tow the Horse trailer...it doesn't bat an eyelid.
My thread about it here
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=1&a...

All the best with your hunt for one.
coffee
Haha! Yeah, I'd read your thread already. As you say, if it was as good as being a gift horse you'd be daft not to. Nice looking example BTW.

Thanks.

Big Rod

Original Poster:

6,232 posts

222 months

Thursday 14th November 2013
quotequote all
I'm not sure we got the V8 in the UK.

Big Rod

Original Poster:

6,232 posts

222 months

Thursday 14th November 2013
quotequote all
kapiteinlangzaam said:
Big Rod said:
I'm not sure we got the V8 in the UK.
You most certainly did!
You're most certainly right! There're a few on EvilBay. I didn't know we had them. Now have something else to browse for!! thumbup

Big Rod

Original Poster:

6,232 posts

222 months

Thursday 14th November 2013
quotequote all
What year did the facelift happen?

Big Rod

Original Poster:

6,232 posts

222 months

Thursday 14th November 2013
quotequote all
kapiteinlangzaam said:
Around 2006 IIRC.

Look for the re-designed headlights, tail lights, bumpers and indicator lenses in the mirrors.
Will do, thank you.

They're a bit more than I was anticipating forking out but it might be in my best interest to look at later models.