XC70

Author
Discussion

beerok

Original Poster:

88 posts

194 months

Monday 11th December 2017
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Hi all,

Due to an upcoming move into a more rural area I am toying with getting something with AWD.

I live in North East Wales and this weekend has seen a massive blast of snow, which we do get from time to time albeit not often and not for a long time.

However with change in where we will live, muddy lanes etc whats an XC70 like to live with as it looks at great vehicle to me?

Probably spend 8-10k? What should I look out for and what should I avoid?

Thanks in advance.

Beerok


xcseventy

408 posts

83 months

Friday 22nd December 2017
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Just picked up a 2012 D4 SE Auto.

D4 is 161bhp, enough power for me, seems to pull very well and makes quite a nice noise for a diesel, slightly better fuel economy than D5, manged 43mpg on a 100 mile run (M and A roads)

I bought it for similar reasons to you, plus the fact that living in Scotland and travelling upto the Highlands I need something that will get me there. Coped well with the recent snow and ice, but tbh, didn't "really" test it as I had old Wranglers on the back, and two new budgets on the front. All now replaced for Cooper Weathermasters, which so far (about 20 miles...) seem much better.

Mines on 82,000. Dealer did a cambelt kit change when I bought it (on my request) and a gearbox oil change (again, on my request) as well as full service & MOT.

Did a fair bit of research before buying, and it seems as long as you service regular (mines on 18,000 mile intervals, but i'll probably do every 10,000) there are no huge issues with the engine, and these regularly see 200,000 +. Plan on keeping mine for a good few years/miles, so will look after it.

They do seem to hold their value, for £8k you'll likely be looking at high mileage second gen (2008 onwards) the older 2nd gen models I think had the slightly older D5 engine (185bhp V 212bhp) with the 185 model being high on tax and low on fuel economy. For me, the D4 SE is the model to go for, I didn't want 18" wheels, and wasn't bothered about more power.

Will also be testing off off road ability soon, which is meant to be very good, certainly one of the best (if not the best) in it's class.

standards

1,179 posts

225 months

Friday 22nd December 2017
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Similar to you-rural area-if it's going to flood/snow/whatever it will be around here.
Plus small warm hatchback would not accommodate grandchildren and /or dogs and heretically I quite like the look of the thing.
I call it the Dogbus.

For the £ you have available definitely the 2008 on one. Many are automatic if that is an issue. Quite wafty but as an old man I like that, especially on the motorway or similar.

Doofus

28,470 posts

180 months

Friday 22nd December 2017
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We've had a few. I was going to swap ours for an XC90, but I'm now dithering over a V90XC instead. Our current one is a 2009 SE Sport, with a D5 Polestar engine. Apparently around 230hp.

Main dealer servicing is pricey, but the dealer is convenient for us, so that's what we do. We're on 102,000 miles, and still going strong. The XC's were usually private purchases, so tend to be well specced. Ours has the lot.

Electric heated and vented seats, cruise, BLIS, sat nav, electric boot, keyless entry and start and a paint job which was £1,100 new (!).

It's good on road, although a bit wallowy as it's got some pretty high sidewalls, and it's great in snow and mud and on fields and tracks. It's no Landcruiser, but it looks a lot nicer smile

The only thing we'd consider swapping this one for (other than another Volvo) is a Skoda Superb 4x4 estate.

Spudmaster

343 posts

212 months

Saturday 23rd December 2017
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Doofus- V90 CC well worth looking at. Slightly quicker, more efficient and less wobbly on the bends than the XC90.

Had my Ex-demo D5 Power-pulse for 1 month and 2k miles now after BMW 5 Series Touring.

Goes really well on-road; was fantastic in the snow, even on summer tyres (we had 9" of the stuff). Absolutely lovely interior with the best seats I have ever had the pleasure of sitting in.

Admittedly first ever Volvo and still in honeymoon period- but I have really surprised myself by not missing the 5 at all.