2004 XC90 2.4 5D Manual. Any good?

[oldaudi]

Hi,
Ive got my eye on a 2004 2.4D AWD Manual that I want to use for towing. Does anyone have a list of things to check or look out for when I go to visit the vehicle. The car will be a 4th car and used infrequently so I'm not worried about MPG and annual servicing, but more worried about a large bill that could double what I might pay for it.
Ive checked the online MOT history and although it had many advisory items at its last MOT most of these appeared to be your usual rubber mounts and suspension bushes that needed replacing due to its age. Its had all of this done and looks good to go now. Its also recently had a timing belt completed.

Ive never had a Volvo before but I know several people that have and run them well into their 250Ks and 300Ks as a daily driver.

Many thanks

Edited by oldaudi on Tuesday 20th March 17:38

[47p2]

As you said, suspension bushes and also engine mounts which fail regularly. Also need to check the rear wheels are driving by grabbing the prop shaft and if it turns there’s a problem. Good news is the 2004 is the 163 engine so no DPF or swirl flaps to worry about. Check clutch is good with no judder or slippage

[Murph7355]

We did pushing 100k miles in our 2010 D5...no engine mount failure.

I'd check wheel bearings to - these seem to go at 60-80k miles so if you're in multiples of that, listen out for a noise that sounds like a wheel out of balance initially, with thrumming and throbbing. The parts aren't cheap as they come as part of the hub assembly.

Only other things ours needed was a clock spring on the steering wheel.

[QBee]

Be aware that the XC90 is a front wheel drive car, not a 4 wheel drive. No way of selecting permanent 4 wheel drive, no low ratio box, no nothing. The car selects 4 wheel drive if the ABS system detects the front wheels are slipping. It uses a haldex unit to pull in the rear diff.

Mine has suffered the rear diff problem mentioned above. Dashboard says “anti skid service required”.
Yes, you can get the little fag packet sized control unit replacement from Volvo. One circuit board, Volvo charges about £1800 for it, and then you need to pair it to the car with a Volvo computer. Canbus network controls everything - far too complicated for its own good.

I keep hearing of people scrapping cars that should be worth £3-4000 because they cost too much to fix. My 2005 2.9 T6 with LPG will be scrapped when I have finished with it. It was bought for the seven seats, not for towing. When I towed a car trailer weighing 1.4 tonnes in total, the moment I hit a hill I thought I was going to be calling the RAC - horrible grinding noises from the front wheel drive.

Honestly? If I were looking for a tow vehicle I would buy a Mercedes ML 270 cdi. Relatively compact, permanent 4 wheel drive, tows 3.5 tonnes no sweat. Or a Discovery.....which also has low range if needed.

[850R]

Stay away

Haldex system made from paper mache, will require a bank job to repair even at an independent.

[oldaudi]

Thank you for all of your suggestions. Today I purchased a 2007 (what appears to be a face lift from the 2003 models I looked at and comes with the grey engine cover) 5D awd SE lux geartronic
£500 tax !!
146k on the clock with a 90% full Volvo Service history and some Volvo independent garages too. I noticed that it had several brand tyres on it which all looked brand new. First thing I’ll do is fine some suitable tyres to replace them with because my ocd says 4 matching tyres

Looks in great condition and at this end of the market I know it’s pot luck in the failures I might get. Managed to get a fair bit off the sticker price so have some £ put away for any faults. It will get a brand new MOT this week before I collect it and I’m really looking forward to oWnership. It’s our 4th car so I won’t be totally dependent on it if it does end up in the garage at some point. Wish me luck . It’s come with a full folder showing every bill MOT and even the original purchase receipt that look like with the quick glance £39k..... were they really this much?

Edited by oldaudi on Thursday 29th March 17:30

Edited by oldaudi on Thursday 29th March 17:31

[QBee]

Here’s hoping you are one of the lucky ones. I wasn’t, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be. Be aware of your legal towing limits. What do you plan on towing?

[oldaudi]

Thanks. A braked horse box and the kids’ pony or the Mrs’ horse. Only one at a time . Well below the 2200kg (from what I’ve read) for this model

[QBee]

oldaudi said:

Thanks. A braked horse box and the kids’ pony or the Mrs’ horse. Only one at a time . Well below the 2200kg (from what I’ve read) for this model

That’s what I was checking. I used to tow my brakes horse trailer with two horses on board. Total 2.5 tonnes. It was fine with my Merc ML, but overweight for the Volvo. Glad you understand the limits.