Thinking of an XC90 - advice please ?

[Clevers]

We currently own a Land Rover Freelander 2.5 litre petrol sport, but with a growing family we are looking to move to something with more room. The seven seater XC90 would fit the bill, but to be honest we know nothing about them.

I would be greatful to hear on :

a) are they any good
b) which one to have
c) current values, good places to buy from
d) any must have optional extras ?
e) what to look out for on second hand ones.

All responses gratefully received. Thanks.

[Cpt Stirling]

I'm in the same boat as yourself, thinking of moving from a Range Rover P38 DSE. Can't answer all your questions as have no first hand experience, but met a chap in the week with a '56' plate D5. Apparently this is the pick of the bunch being a 5 pot diesel, returning ave 30+ mpg. He really rated it, no reliability issues, relatively cheap to run/service, said it was good on a run (reg trips to Scotland from Glos), comfortable, nice interior (7 seats). Not the best off road but cabable over the odd field I believe. I'm looking at the D5 AWD - this is an upgrade from the D5 from 163 to 185 bhp which makes a significant difference so I'm told. What attracts me - understated looks, relatively good performance from 185 bhp diesel, not massive tyres, nice interior, split rear tailgate, reasonable offroad - I don't do extreme, relatively good value (main dealers have good choice and pricing doesn't seem to be outrageous compared to inde dealers or private). The D5 AWD are about £20K but I suspect you could get a good D5 from £12K+.

[JimexPL]

The 185 engine is a big improvement over the 163. COnfusingly Volvo badged the 163 as a D5, D5AWD and 2.4D depending on model year. The easiest way to tell is the pale grey engine cover (=185). The 185 also has a 6 speed auto. You can remap a 163 to about 190hp though, but it still wont be as nice a package as the 185 (your budget might dictate this though).

The facelift models (07 model year), feel slightly more premium inside and have nicer steering, but I'd buy on price and condition rather than getting too bothered about this.

No major issues to look out for on the D5.
Bad wheel alignment wears the inside of the tyres very quickly even though they can look very good on the outside.

If the load cover is missing this is about £250 to replace. The earlier cars can have their 7 seat mechanism damaged from agressive use, but it's only an easy to get to £2 plastic part to replace so don't be too worried if you cannot fold them away.

There is quite a big gap between main dealer and private/traders, but there is a reason for this.
XC90s are used as family cars / workhorses and even if the owner considers it to be 'clean', it probably needs £500-1500 spending on it to get to a dealer standard. The Volvo warranty is bulletproof and worth the money also.

[Nice But Dim]

BCA Auction may be worth a look - list of XC90 coming up at auction provided below


Reg. Location Sale Date Make Model CC Derivative Body Type Yr/Ltr Mileage
DG58SRZ Newport 26-11-2008 VOLVO XC90 2.4 D5 185 S G/TRONIC Estate 2008 58 733
MM06ZZF Brighouse 17-11-2008 VOLVO XC90 2.4 D5 185 S G/TRONIC Estate 2006 06 15,518
FE55OAX Nottingham 19-11-2008 VOLVO XC90 2.4 D 163 SE G/TRONIC Estate 2005 55 16,425
VO56FJD Nottingham 19-11-2008 VOLVO XC90 2.4 D5 185 SE G/TRONIC Estate 2006 56 17,679
FY56MXH Bedford-New Site 20-11-2008 VOLVO XC90 2.4 D5 185 SE G/TRONIC Estate 2007 56 19,632
YH55LNF Nottingham 17-11-2008 VOLVO XC90 2.4 D 163 SE G/TRONIC Estate 2005 55 24,094
AX05OUS Blackbushe 17-11-2008 VOLVO XC90 2.4 D5 SE GEARTRONIC Estate 2005 05 27,864
AY06XJK Walsall 25-11-2008 VOLVO XC90 2.4 D5 185 SE Estate 2006 06 28,411
ND54EYV Edinburgh 02-12-2008 VOLVO XC90 2.4 D5 S GEARTRONIC Estate 2004 54 39,823
FY55GHG Bedford-New Site 24-11-2008 VOLVO XC90 2.4 D 163 SE G/TRONIC Estate 2005 55 47,762
KL55ZWT Nottingham 19-11-2008 VOLVO XC90 2.4 D 163 SE G/TRONIC Estate 2005 55 50,275
FV05LCF Birmingham 20-11-2008 VOLVO XC90 2.4 D5 SE GEARTRONIC Estate 2005 05 51,774
KE54FHN Birmingham 20-11-2008 VOLVO XC90 2.4 D5 SE GEARTRONIC Estate 2004 54 52,191
AX54DJE Bedford-New Site 20-11-2008 VOLVO XC90 2.4 D5 S Estate 2004 54 61,355
YE55OBP Walsall 18-11-2008 VOLVO XC90 2.4 D5 SE GEARTRONIC Estate 2005 55 61,640
AV54VFZ Nottingham 14-11-2008 VOLVO XC90 2.4 D5 SE Estate 2004 54 66,296
GK05BWC Paddock Wood 19-11-2008 VOLVO XC90 2.4 D5 SE Estate 2005 05 68,880
DY53NJF Nottingham 14-11-2008 VOLVO XC90 2.4 D5 SE GEARTRONIC Estate 2003 53 73,477
BL03XBA Birmingham 20-11-2008 VOLVO XC90 2.4 D5 SE GEARTRONIC Estate 2003 03 78,198
AO55XXF Blackbushe 17-11-2008 VOLVO XC90 2.4 D5 185 EXECUTIVE G/TRONIC Estate 2005 55 84,022
YX55XET Walsall 18-11-2008 VOLVO XC90 2.4 D 163 SE G/TRONIC Estate 2005 55 90,068
PK55SXN Nottingham 19-11-2008 VOLVO XC90 2.4 D5 185 SE Estate 2005 55 999,999

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[inishfalle]

Dont dismiss the v6 and v8 if you do low mileage v8 is a bargain (plan to hold on to car for a few years). We bought v6 56 plate with all the toys last year for 24 k with 5k miles and only volvo as the previous owners. Been to france ireland wales (in snow)does 22 mpg compared to 30 mpg of diesel but peformance is worth it. Super practical (we have 3 kids and dog) never have to use roof box as boot is huge and middle seats slide. Tires not too expensive just replaced front 130 per corner at 12 miles (blime that on wifes heavy right foot). Friend just bought v8 for 23 k (3 kids as well)he only does 4k per year! but had to give up his RS6 for practical reasons. Also has 5 star ncap rating. Given VED increases believe you will get some good bargains from volvo dealers.

Edited by inishfalle on Monday 17th November 15:10

[rallycross]

is the 7 seater only available as XC90, or are some of the XC70's also 7 seaters?

[mondayo]

inishfalle said:

Dont dismiss the v6 and v8 if you do low mileage v8 is a bargain (plan to hold on to car for a few years). We bought v6 56 plate with all the toys last year for 24 k with 5k miles and only volvo as the previous owners. Been to france ireland wales (in snow)does 22 mpg compared to 30 mpg of diesel but peformance is worth it. Super practical (we have 3 kids and dog) never have to use roof box as boot is huge and middle seats slide. Tires not too expensive just replaced front 130 per corner at 12 miles (blime that on wifes heavy right foot). Friend just bought v8 for 23 k (3 kids as well)he only does 4k per year! but had to give up his RS6 for practical reasons. Also has 5 star ncap rating. Given VED increases believe you will get some good bargains from volvo dealers.

Edited by inishfalle on Monday 17th November 15:10

Has anyone converted these (V6 & V8) to LPG? I've heard and seen quite a few Range Rovers that have been done and figure these would be even more economical?

[cheeky_chops]

iirc, the underfloor is very small and can only accomodate a 120mile tank...

Has anyone seen any of the above go thru auction and what prices are they fetching??

[Nice But Dim]

From Honestjohn.co.uk dated October 27th BCA auction @ Blackbushe

Volvo XC70 2.4D5 SE Geartronic, 2008/57, 4k miles £16,500s
Volvo XC90 2.4D5 SE Geartronic, 2004/54, 72k miles £9,550s

[cheeky_chops]

cheers, that was 4 weeks ago so should of dropped another k!

[JamesK]

I'm still looking at these. Only potential downsides I can see relate to timing belt tensioners and possible injector failure on the diesels - both seem to occur (if at all) around 60k.

Are belt tensioners/belts a routine service item does anyone know - i.e. is there a "big" service around 60k I should look for or anything?

Really tempted to get a good 163bhp 2.4D and RICA chip it - if anyone has one for around 10k let me know

[mondayo]

I was in the dealership this week, and he was saying that upto about a month ago, XC90 prices were in freefall. He thinks that things have steadied a bit now though, due to fuel costs coming down. I got the impression that they're still losing anything upto 100 quid a week though!

[redgriff500]

JimexPL said:

The earlier cars can have their 7 seat mechanism damaged from agressive use, but it's only an easy to get to £2 plastic part to replace so don't be too worried if you cannot fold them away.

Can you give more details as I bought one yesterday and one of the seats doesn't fold down. The seller put his hand down the side to manipulate the mechanism but my wife doesn't fancy doing that !

Thanks

[JimexPL]

redgriff500 said:

JimexPL said:

The earlier cars can have their 7 seat mechanism damaged from agressive use, but it's only an easy to get to £2 plastic part to replace so don't be too worried if you cannot fold them away.

Can you give more details as I bought one yesterday and one of the seats doesn't fold down. The seller put his hand down the side to manipulate the mechanism but my wife doesn't fancy doing that !

Thanks

After you have lifted the handle at the side of the seat base and slid the seat back under the boot floor it pushes against a sprung metal lever which releases the seat back so that you can fold it forward.
There is a small plastic clip at the rear of the seat base which pushes against this and it isn't very strong. Have a look and you'll probably see the remains of the clip (lift up the boot floor to do this).
From memory the clips slide on - just remove the broken clip and replace it with a new one from your local parts department.

[redgriff500]

Thanks

[Sideways Tim]

I've had a D5 for three years now and loved it, but I have a hankering for a V8. Fuel consuption I couldn't give a toss about, but has anyone any experience of the V8 long term? Anything likely to throw a spanner in the works in the future?

Apart from Gordy and Alistair of course...

[smartie]

i've got an s80 v8....

[Sideways Tim]

How is it? Had it long, spunked loads of cash to keep it running, or just letting it get on with doing it's job without knowing it's there?

I know the XC90 is perfect for us, I just fancy another V8 and to have no diesel cars again

[smartie]

Had it since August, only had 7K miles on it then , now on just over 12K.No problems with it whatsoever, uses no oil and is a lovely smooth engine - even sounds pretty good over 4K revs too. Makes the S80 quite a quick car!

Mpg wise, getting 18 ish round town and no more than 23 on a run; expect the xc90 would be quite a bit worse (though S80 is 4wd too).

Service intervals are 18K so haven't needed to visit dealer yet.............

[Sideways Tim]

That'll do for me. Is yours auto? If not, does it have plenty of grunt low down?