Chipping an XC90 D5

[XM5ER]

I am currently weighing up whether to get one of these or a E32CDi Merc estate and I must say the Volvo looks favourable however, 163 BHP and 2 tonnes fills me and the wife with dread.

I've googled so I kno you can hapilly get 200BHP from that engine, the question is, has anyone done it and did it feel quick enough after you'd done it?

[paulc]

We currently have a 163 bhp XC90 - whilst it's no E320CDI in performance stakes it's got enough torque to make good if not rapid progress.

The newer 185 bhp engine is alot better but only available in from 2006 models onwards I think.

Had a friend chip his XC90 - took it back after a week and had it reset to factory settings, experience was not good - I think the engine managment system went abit haywire...

[XM5ER]

Cheers for the comment.

So long as there is enough poke for overtaking numpties on A and B roads we'll be happy.

[The Londoner]

We have a 2006 XC90 with the 185bhp engine. I was thinking of chipping it when it comes out of warranty but to be honest the money could be better spent elsewhere. It has no problem keeping up on the motorway, in fact it often needs reining back, and on A or B roads most of the numpties you want to overtake are only doing 40 or 50 anyway. It's no sports car, but as long as you remember that through the bends, it is fine as far as I am concerned.

[XM5ER]

I dont expect a sports car so long as the performace is on a par with something like a Q7 diesel. Priorities for the family car this time are space, ride quality and general quietness.

[Deva Link]

Do you need the 7 seats?

My BIL and a colleague at work both seriously looked at XC90 recently but then both bought VW Touaregs.

[nielsen]

I had a XC90 - 163hp there was chipped to 205hp for 2 years, and I newer had a problem.
It make the car much better when you pull out from junktions, and it is nicer to drive as you
don't need to use kick-down all the time.
I have just bought a new XC90 with 185hp, and that will soon be chipped to.

Bo

[Daftlad]

nielsen said:

I had a XC90 - 163hp there was chipped to 205hp for 2 years, and I newer had a problem.
It make the car much better when you pull out from junktions, and it is nicer to drive as you
don't need to use kick-down all the time.
I have just bought a new XC90 with 185hp, and that will soon be chipped to.

Bo

Bo,
Just bought a 185 BHP Sport. Is it worth while remapping and does it need it?

I bought my car as a tow car primarily, but would still like to think that the performance was still adequate without having to spend more money (even though its relatively small beer)

[nielsen]

Hi,
I will get a remap from Rica, and the main reason is that: 1)The car becomes more responsive (better
to pull out from junktions) 2) more relaxed drive, because there are less need for kick-down when overtaking on the motorway. 3) I will be using the car for towing a car-trailer.

I think that the XC90 is a great car, but it is underpowered, and a remap gives it the power it
should have from the factory. Getting the volvo back after a remap, is like getting a new car.

Bo

[XM5ER]

Interesting replies, thanks. I thought this thread would be dead as a dodo by now.

One other question, what sort of MPG are you getting. A friend of mine is getting rid of theirs and one major gripe is that they rarely see above 20mpg which puts me right off to be frank.

[paulc]

MPG doing the school run and general shopping duties is currently showing 29.

Trips down to Cornwall/France at 80-90 gives around 32-33.

However anybody can get < 20 mpg is beyond me or is it a petrol?

[Captain Volvo]

RICA is a popular and well thought of remapping company. I believe you can even have it done at dealers on the continent.

The 163HP XC90 is a little underpowered IMO - I have had 2 163HP D5s, one in a V70 and my current XC70 has one too. I have wanted to remap for ages but it's about £500 I just can't get past the wife at the moment.

Get yourself across to any of the Volvo owners forums, there's a wealth of knowledge.

[nielsen]

Lots of small runs, 22-26mpg and on long runs 29-34mpg.

last year i towed trailer with trackcar to Spa, 24mpg.

Bo