Tell me about the XC90....
Discussion
Wifey is looking for a big car - kids have left home, but we have a huge dog which touches both sides of her Grande Punto
The only time I’ll get to use it is for the annual trip to LeMans with our two sons, and the occasional trip to B&Q...
I really wanted a Disco 4, but the budget won’t stretch and the stories put me off.
So, I’m looking at XC90s - they seem to tick all the boxes for size, performance, kit etc
I’m looking at 2010-ish, 80k miles or less, budget around £10k - £12k. I’d like the 197bhp version, but I think I’ll struggle. I’m hoping to view a 2010 R-Design next week, with about 80k, up for £11.5k
Is there anything I should look for? Anything to avoid? Any options that are well worth having? Any common mechanical issues?
Never been near a Volvo in my 38 years of motoring, so I’m well out of my comfort zone on this one
Thanks in anticipation
The only time I’ll get to use it is for the annual trip to LeMans with our two sons, and the occasional trip to B&Q...
I really wanted a Disco 4, but the budget won’t stretch and the stories put me off.
So, I’m looking at XC90s - they seem to tick all the boxes for size, performance, kit etc
I’m looking at 2010-ish, 80k miles or less, budget around £10k - £12k. I’d like the 197bhp version, but I think I’ll struggle. I’m hoping to view a 2010 R-Design next week, with about 80k, up for £11.5k
Is there anything I should look for? Anything to avoid? Any options that are well worth having? Any common mechanical issues?
Never been near a Volvo in my 38 years of motoring, so I’m well out of my comfort zone on this one
Thanks in anticipation
Lots to look out for. Swirl flap armature arm needs to be checked it’s attached at both ends, top engine mount, lower torque rod, oil cooler, condenser, foot operated handbrake, tailgate handle not sticking, uneven tyre wear, 4wd working, no warnings or faults on DIM. Never driven a R-Design but heard the suspension is a bit harsher than the other models
Wheel bearings. Check they've been done or listen like a hawk for odd noises/wobbles through the chassis like a wheel is out of balance. Plus the stuff noted above.
Check everything electrical works properly.
R-design chassis is fine. But these cars are feeling their age now if you/your Mrs is used to anything newer...
Turning circle like an oil tanker is normal. As is lethargic auto-trans. As is fairly lumpy fuel economy (low-mid 20s for our D5).
We loved ours (owned for 6yrs). New one (owned for 1yr thus far) is leagues ahead...but should be when you consider the price difference.
Check everything electrical works properly.
R-design chassis is fine. But these cars are feeling their age now if you/your Mrs is used to anything newer...
Turning circle like an oil tanker is normal. As is lethargic auto-trans. As is fairly lumpy fuel economy (low-mid 20s for our D5).
We loved ours (owned for 6yrs). New one (owned for 1yr thus far) is leagues ahead...but should be when you consider the price difference.
I’ve got a 2010 197 (with a slightly breathed on remap). Had it for 6 months. Feels robust, well screwed together. The cabin is a bit dated now so feels a bit old tech, but everything works as it should.
It’s a solid drive, feels planted unless you really press on (not recommended
) and then you get understeer.
I had the fns wheel bearing go, and the fos bushes are starting to creak so that’s the next job. Engine is good if a bit gruff, mine has 55k on the clock and has been faultless.
Mpg is pretty poor. A mix of urban and motorway gives me an average of 27mpg, or about 375 from £70 of diesel, give or take.
I must admit I love it. It’s a ronseal car, does what it says on the tin. It’s cavernous, reliable, classless, comfy, and will munch motorways up all day long with the family and all their crap on board.
It’s a solid drive, feels planted unless you really press on (not recommended
) and then you get understeer. I had the fns wheel bearing go, and the fos bushes are starting to creak so that’s the next job. Engine is good if a bit gruff, mine has 55k on the clock and has been faultless.
Mpg is pretty poor. A mix of urban and motorway gives me an average of 27mpg, or about 375 from £70 of diesel, give or take.
I must admit I love it. It’s a ronseal car, does what it says on the tin. It’s cavernous, reliable, classless, comfy, and will munch motorways up all day long with the family and all their crap on board.
We have a 2008 XC90 as our family hack. Mrs Toon normally drives it as she likes to be high up and loves 4x4's. She gets 34mpg average but she drives like a Granny.
It's fantastic at what it does. I wouldn't say it's the most refined car in it's class but it OK. Turning circle of a tanker. It moves OK and is a bit wallowy in the corners but you expect that on this type of car.
Reliability wise, ours has been fine. We did end up replacing the handbrake last year which was an expensive fix. We managed to get it done for £350 at an indy (family friend) but we were originally quoted £500 which was mainly labour. The only other problem we have is the rear tailgate handle sticks which is a pain but if I set my mind to it, probably a relatively easy and cheap fix.
It's fantastic at what it does. I wouldn't say it's the most refined car in it's class but it OK. Turning circle of a tanker. It moves OK and is a bit wallowy in the corners but you expect that on this type of car.
Reliability wise, ours has been fine. We did end up replacing the handbrake last year which was an expensive fix. We managed to get it done for £350 at an indy (family friend) but we were originally quoted £500 which was mainly labour. The only other problem we have is the rear tailgate handle sticks which is a pain but if I set my mind to it, probably a relatively easy and cheap fix.
wiliferus said:
I’ve got a 2010 197 (with a slightly breathed on remap). Had it for 6 months. Feels robust, well screwed together. The cabin is a bit dated now so feels a bit old tech, but everything works as it should.
It’s a solid drive, feels planted unless you really press on (not recommended ) and then you get understeer.
I had the fns wheel bearing go, and the fos bushes are starting to creak so that’s the next job. Engine is good if a bit gruff, mine has 55k on the clock and has been faultless.
Mpg is pretty poor. A mix of urban and motorway gives me an average of 27mpg, or about 375 from £70 of diesel, give or take.
I must admit I love it. It’s a ronseal car, does what it says on the tin. It’s cavernous, reliable, classless, comfy, and will munch motorways up all day long with the family and all their crap on board.
Well that feckin jinxed me.. using words like reliable and faultless... it’s now pissing diesel out of the bottom due to a probable cracked fuel filter housing. Looks like a £250+ fix. Arse. It’s a solid drive, feels planted unless you really press on (not recommended
) and then you get understeer. I had the fns wheel bearing go, and the fos bushes are starting to creak so that’s the next job. Engine is good if a bit gruff, mine has 55k on the clock and has been faultless.
Mpg is pretty poor. A mix of urban and motorway gives me an average of 27mpg, or about 375 from £70 of diesel, give or take.
I must admit I love it. It’s a ronseal car, does what it says on the tin. It’s cavernous, reliable, classless, comfy, and will munch motorways up all day long with the family and all their crap on board.
I've had a 2007 Executive D5 since September. I'm very pleased with it, although I'm disappointed by the fuel economy @ 28mpg.
Boot handle sticks but it's never a problem once you know the trick, and the repair is cheap a couple of hours' DIY if you can be bothered.
The gearbox is very lazy and for a while I thought maybe it had a problem, but I think it's just because I was used to the ZF in the Jag.
Third row seats are surprisingly spacious. I'm 6'2" and I can just about fit in them if I twist sideways. Middle row legroom isn't great - I always feel like the middle row seats should slide back another inch. Having said that I've had 8 adults in it for a short journey!
Otherwise, it's brilliant. Vast boot and comfortable. Performance from my 185bhp D5 is adequate enough, but it doesn't pretend to be anything other than a big, heavy tank and if you approach it with this PoV you shouldn't be disappointed. Good luck!
Boot handle sticks but it's never a problem once you know the trick, and the repair is cheap a couple of hours' DIY if you can be bothered.
The gearbox is very lazy and for a while I thought maybe it had a problem, but I think it's just because I was used to the ZF in the Jag.
Third row seats are surprisingly spacious. I'm 6'2" and I can just about fit in them if I twist sideways. Middle row legroom isn't great - I always feel like the middle row seats should slide back another inch. Having said that I've had 8 adults in it for a short journey!
Otherwise, it's brilliant. Vast boot and comfortable. Performance from my 185bhp D5 is adequate enough, but it doesn't pretend to be anything other than a big, heavy tank and if you approach it with this PoV you shouldn't be disappointed. Good luck!
I bought my '09 XC90 D5 , used, a couple of years ago and now at about 92,000. Very content with it indeed, about 28mpg with MTE's excellent Swedish written software installed giving 225bhp with a stonking 480nm of torque. Quick off the mark and will tumble along the motorway amongst it at a good pace. Handles passably well for a shed, improved with uprated front Bilstein dampers and would benefit further in terms of reducing understeer from a stiffer rear ARB.
Luckily not having Volvo's kleptocrat PINCODE BANDITRY installed I dont suffer the monstrous tolls levied by dealers on all Volvo's later vehicles so fitted.......
Don
PS what is mandarin for kleptocrat?
Luckily not having Volvo's kleptocrat PINCODE BANDITRY installed I dont suffer the monstrous tolls levied by dealers on all Volvo's later vehicles so fitted.......
Don
PS what is mandarin for kleptocrat?
47p2 said:
My XC90 has a manual gearbox, it's lovely and smooth changing through the gears. The plus side is the cost of a clutch replacement is a lot easier and a whole lot cheaper than an auto box rebuild.
How do you get on with the foot-operated parking brake? The Riverdance moves I figured I'd need to learn for hill starts were the only reason I didn't buy a manual.threadlock said:
How do you get on with the foot-operated parking brake? The Riverdance moves I figured I'd need to learn for hill starts were the only reason I didn't buy a manual.
Yeah ours is a manual and although I don't have any issues with the more complicated hill start requirements, Mrs Toon simply can't fathom it. We had a slight falling out in a multi story car park. The barrier came down twice before she eventually floored it, rolled back and finally managed not to stall. Thanks to the understanding car park attendant who kept having to manually lift the barrier 
threadlock said:
How do you get on with the foot-operated parking brake? The Riverdance moves I figured I'd need to learn for hill starts were the only reason I didn't buy a manual.
Just the same as a regularhandbrake lever except you operate it with your right hand . Once you’ve done it a few times it becomes second natureWhat about a 7 Seater X5? It's gonna be a much better drive, much more refined, and a much much nicer interior. Or apply man maths, and get one of these:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
47p2 said:
Just the same as a regularhandbrake lever except you operate it with your right hand . Once you’ve done it a few times it becomes second nature
It was more the application of the brake than the release that I figured would be tricky. Can't keep putting it on in an uphill queue, for example, while it's in gear.Gassing Station | Volvo & Polestar | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff