Volvo XC70 what to look for?
Discussion
During my research I found there wasn't actually a huge amount to go wrong. Belts are every 110k (I think)
Assume you'll be wanting the AWD version? There are a range of engines out there, and it can get confusing. A D5 for example can have 185bhp, 201bhp and 212bhp depending on year. At that price you'll probably be looking at a 212bhp D5 or D4, both of which are a lovely 5 cylinder 2.4 beauty. It sounds pretty nice. I have the D4, which is same engine, just running 161bhp. The auto is really very good too, super smooth.
1 thing that does seem to fail is door locks. Basically the motor starts to fail, and doesn't lock the door fully. I had 3 of my doors done at about £275 per door! (2 under warranty, and 1 from the dealer) So check these carefully!
MPG is ok. On a long motorway run i'll get 45-46 tops, mixed driving is around 41. This is with winter tyres and a roof rack though.
So far it's been very good off road and in the snow, nothing has managed to stop it.
Assume you'll be wanting the AWD version? There are a range of engines out there, and it can get confusing. A D5 for example can have 185bhp, 201bhp and 212bhp depending on year. At that price you'll probably be looking at a 212bhp D5 or D4, both of which are a lovely 5 cylinder 2.4 beauty. It sounds pretty nice. I have the D4, which is same engine, just running 161bhp. The auto is really very good too, super smooth.
1 thing that does seem to fail is door locks. Basically the motor starts to fail, and doesn't lock the door fully. I had 3 of my doors done at about £275 per door! (2 under warranty, and 1 from the dealer) So check these carefully!
MPG is ok. On a long motorway run i'll get 45-46 tops, mixed driving is around 41. This is with winter tyres and a roof rack though.
So far it's been very good off road and in the snow, nothing has managed to stop it.
Thats great news. I have a new job which will take me from the Peak District to Heathrow about 3 times per month so needs to be comfortable for the commute. I was thinking the XC70 or a Jaguar XJ diesel for similar money.
We are a youngish couple so kids hopefully on the way soon and I think the XC70 will be much more practical.
We are a youngish couple so kids hopefully on the way soon and I think the XC70 will be much more practical.
XC70 is noticably less economical than it's V70 sister. The best engine, (IMO) is the D5, and there's also a Polestar option which takes power to 235hp. That's what we've got 
.
We get nothing like 45mpg. On a long motorway run we might push 38 or 39, but our long term average is only 32. It does a fair bit of town work.
Specs are generally good, as XC70's tend to have been purchased privately rather than as fleet cars. SE Sport or SE Lux are the top, I believe. Nice things for motorway work are BLIS, cruise (active if you can, but at your budget, I don't know), heated & cooled seats and Dynaudio sound.
Reliability is generally good. We're on our fifth Volvo in a row; 3 V70s and 2 XC70s. Dealer servicing is pricey. We've not had a door lock problem per se, but the keyless entry didn't work when we first got it (used, not new). Volvo said the door needed re-wiring (probably as per the post above), but eventually, a need to buy a new key due to a burglary actually fixed the keyless entry problem.
Check the locking wheel bolts actually come off. Volvo use a stupid design which chews up the key quite easily. They have a special tool which theoretically works for any Volvo locking bolt, but my local dealer destroyed all three of theirs on my OSF wheel last autumn. I've swapped all mine for ordinary bolts, so I wont get stranded with a puncture again.
I've just had two new tyres; Pirellis are £130-odd per corner.
In summary, we wouldn't be without a Volvo estate, and whilst we spent some time recently looking at a new XC90, ultimately we couldn't see why we'd spend more money to get rid of a car that's never done anything to upset us.
.We get nothing like 45mpg. On a long motorway run we might push 38 or 39, but our long term average is only 32. It does a fair bit of town work.
Specs are generally good, as XC70's tend to have been purchased privately rather than as fleet cars. SE Sport or SE Lux are the top, I believe. Nice things for motorway work are BLIS, cruise (active if you can, but at your budget, I don't know), heated & cooled seats and Dynaudio sound.
Reliability is generally good. We're on our fifth Volvo in a row; 3 V70s and 2 XC70s. Dealer servicing is pricey. We've not had a door lock problem per se, but the keyless entry didn't work when we first got it (used, not new). Volvo said the door needed re-wiring (probably as per the post above), but eventually, a need to buy a new key due to a burglary actually fixed the keyless entry problem.
Check the locking wheel bolts actually come off. Volvo use a stupid design which chews up the key quite easily. They have a special tool which theoretically works for any Volvo locking bolt, but my local dealer destroyed all three of theirs on my OSF wheel last autumn. I've swapped all mine for ordinary bolts, so I wont get stranded with a puncture again.
I've just had two new tyres; Pirellis are £130-odd per corner.
In summary, we wouldn't be without a Volvo estate, and whilst we spent some time recently looking at a new XC90, ultimately we couldn't see why we'd spend more money to get rid of a car that's never done anything to upset us.
I`ve just bought one.
Long trips are 46mpg. Add a caravan and it`s 30mpg.
One of the comfiest cars I`ve ever had. I have a D5 auto which is superb.
Also has laser guided cruise control, which you don`t know you need till you have it.
Honestly, I think it`s a great car.
And yes, great in the snow.
Long trips are 46mpg. Add a caravan and it`s 30mpg.
One of the comfiest cars I`ve ever had. I have a D5 auto which is superb.
Also has laser guided cruise control, which you don`t know you need till you have it
.Honestly, I think it`s a great car.
And yes, great in the snow.
For my Mk3 V70 2.4 D5 auto 185bhp I get maybe 38MPG average. That's with a fair amount of motorway cruise control at sensible speed. Spend all day in 50 limit roadworks and you might see very low 40s, but if in town can be low 30s. So I would image that with 4WD it would be lower than these figures. Still, that should not put you off what is a great car for family and communting duties. Drove to Nice and back not long after we bought it and it covers miles effortlessly.
I was just saying to the other half this weekend, how there's nothing out there that is tempting me to change car. Not one that I could justify the significant extra cost, for no extra ultility. Unless an iPod connection is on your must have list.
I recommend finding a good independent Volvo specialist to help with any jobs that you don't want to or can't manage. E.g. I take mine there for belts or if the specialist diagnostic kit is required.
I was just saying to the other half this weekend, how there's nothing out there that is tempting me to change car. Not one that I could justify the significant extra cost, for no extra ultility. Unless an iPod connection is on your must have list.
I recommend finding a good independent Volvo specialist to help with any jobs that you don't want to or can't manage. E.g. I take mine there for belts or if the specialist diagnostic kit is required.
We got our first V70 (P3) a year ago and wish we had done it years ago. Keep cars long term and whilst this car is good for the course, may well look to get a late model replacement in three or four years as the V90 lacks the same dimensions where it counts !
Only thing lacking in our fairly basic car is memory seats - but it was the cheapest good car we found - non franchise dealer beat quality in local specialists !! We have leather, auto, and essential rear sensors - plus phone. Plus proper spare wheel.
Originally looked at XC70's but put off by the lower economy - and when you compare height there isn't that much in it really. So unless you need AWD I would stick with a V70.
As stated - belts at 10 years or 110k - have that due in a year. Need a service soon.
Door locks - yes - our drivers door is starting to play up maybe - if you drive somewhere and drop off the passenger then carry on elsewhere and try to open the drivers door it will only open if you press the full unlock button in the door handle. Happens once a week in our use.
Bulbs - easy to do - replaced a pair of ''position'' marker bulbs up front and had to take out the fog lights that had filled with flood water.
Tailgate gets dirty in winter - and door rubbers easily freeze to body which seems bizarre given the origins on the car. Plus we had to replace the washer bottle pump - crap location ? crap screen wash by previous owner ? Cheapish job though.
We have the D3 which replaced the old 2.4D and has since become the D4 - 163bhp. Cant help but think that the D5 gets better mpg due to its larger more relaxed capacity - lots of short runs get 32 in winter but on an economy run I have had an indicated 900 miles on a tank !
Fast enough - only car I have been nabbed in !
Nearest runner up (check my username) was a similar age E220 - more space - better quality (subjective) - but more money and crap clearance, as our drive has a nasty lip.
Only thing lacking in our fairly basic car is memory seats - but it was the cheapest good car we found - non franchise dealer beat quality in local specialists !! We have leather, auto, and essential rear sensors - plus phone. Plus proper spare wheel.
Originally looked at XC70's but put off by the lower economy - and when you compare height there isn't that much in it really. So unless you need AWD I would stick with a V70.
As stated - belts at 10 years or 110k - have that due in a year. Need a service soon.
Door locks - yes - our drivers door is starting to play up maybe - if you drive somewhere and drop off the passenger then carry on elsewhere and try to open the drivers door it will only open if you press the full unlock button in the door handle. Happens once a week in our use.
Bulbs - easy to do - replaced a pair of ''position'' marker bulbs up front and had to take out the fog lights that had filled with flood water.
Tailgate gets dirty in winter - and door rubbers easily freeze to body which seems bizarre given the origins on the car. Plus we had to replace the washer bottle pump - crap location ? crap screen wash by previous owner ? Cheapish job though.
We have the D3 which replaced the old 2.4D and has since become the D4 - 163bhp. Cant help but think that the D5 gets better mpg due to its larger more relaxed capacity - lots of short runs get 32 in winter but on an economy run I have had an indicated 900 miles on a tank !
Fast enough - only car I have been nabbed in !
Nearest runner up (check my username) was a similar age E220 - more space - better quality (subjective) - but more money and crap clearance, as our drive has a nasty lip.
Edited by ClassicMercs on Friday 4th May 21:03
DJT said:
I was just saying to the other half this weekend, how there's nothing out there that is tempting me to change car. Not one that I could justify the significant extra cost, for no extra ultility. Unless an iPod connection is on your must have list.
Im looking for a replacement for the company Qashqui that goes back to the lease company in 7 months .. So far Ive looked at all the 4x4 estates and nothing ticks all the boxes than the XC70 D5. The A6 Allroad with the V6 is a close contender, but I dislike the newer audi styling.Im looking at a 2015 D5 SE LUX(215)
Just bear in mind that if you travel to London regularly then the D5 (215) is not ULEZ compliant being Euro5 despite being a 2015 car.
Bloody annoying as I have the engine in my V60 and I travel into London once or twice a week and will be affected when (if) it comes into force in a few years time. Pity as its a bloody good engine and I'm loath to change it.
Bloody annoying as I have the engine in my V60 and I travel into London once or twice a week and will be affected when (if) it comes into force in a few years time. Pity as its a bloody good engine and I'm loath to change it.
valiant said:
Just bear in mind that if you travel to London regularly then the D5 (215) is not ULEZ compliant being Euro5 despite being a 2015 car.
Bloody annoying as I have the engine in my V60 and I travel into London once or twice a week and will be affected when (if) it comes into force in a few years time. Pity as its a bloody good engine and I'm loath to change it.
Thankfully, The closest to London in a weekday is Bedfont. Only the odd weekend do I venture in further. But thats interesting to know.Bloody annoying as I have the engine in my V60 and I travel into London once or twice a week and will be affected when (if) it comes into force in a few years time. Pity as its a bloody good engine and I'm loath to change it.
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