XC90 - any advice please???

busterjones

Hi - I'm looking to pick up a Volvo XC90.

I have 5k (max) and a 2004 S60 2.0T (as a trade in).

Am currently considering the following:

1. http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volvo-xc90-geartronic-auto/5531188

2. http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volvo-xc90-2-5t-se-auto/5500249

3. http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volvo-xc90-2-9-litre-petrol/3946077

Any opinions on these?

Any tips on what to look out for?

Any opinions on T6 V's T5 (and if all the bad reviews on the T6 are justified).

Cheers!

RobAMerc

I've heard from a source inside Volvo that the gearbox can give trouble after 100k miles - you may want to allow for that in your budget.

Otherwise they aren't bad at all if a little truck like for my liking. Great family car I imagine.

vibe666

my dad has a 2012 one from new in the UK and he's had no end of trouble with it breaking down on long journeys (anything over 150 miles).

it's happened 5 times now since he's had it (literally on all 5 of the long journey's he's done) and after each time volvo have taken it away and 'fixed' the problem, but each time he gets it back, it happens again.

there's something obviously not right with it and the volvo dealership where he bought it and volvo themselves are each trying to pass him off to the other and he's having an awful job trying to get it sorted which is a nightmare for him as he's in a wheelchair and each time it happens he's stuck in it at the side of the road until he can get it towed, then without it for a week+ each time they take it to be repaired.

he's trying to get a replacement out of them at this point, but hasn't had any luck so far.

it might just be a one off and it's a great car aside from that one problem, but you did ask for opinions.

jayok

The generation you are looking at came in a 2.5 and 2.9. The gearbox in the 2.9 is a GM one and made of chocolate. Just google XC90 2.9 and gearbox and you'll find your answer. Basically the box can't handle the output of the engine and eventually fails. Circa €4K fix.

On the 2.5 petrol things are better as it's some Japanese made box and takes it well. The 2.5 also comes in a manual, but only the base model, normally it's the Auto (geartronic). The box itself if sluggish and the car is a raging alcoholic (you're looking at 20mpg soft of consumption).

The 2.4 diesel is a better option of the two, but much more expensive.

Now, hands-up, I never bought one, but I was on the verge of it and done loads and loads of research. The potential running costs and reliability problems scared me away. The were a nice (if not average drive) and felt sturdy, but nothing special.

andrew1300r

We have one exactly 1yr now. 2005 D5 Auto with currently 174km on it. It's been totally reliable in the 12 months.. Not even a blown bulb ! Extremely comfortable & refind especially on motorway. 130km cruise control on, climate control on, heated seats on, fantastic stereo pumping , integrated DVD screens in headrests for kids movies. 7 litres per 100km on motorway & 8 litres per 100km everywhere else ...so early 30's mpg. Best jeep I've bought so far. Tax is heavy at €1080 for the yr..robbing bastards !:mad:

Hellrazer

jayok wrote: »

The generation you are looking at came in a 2.5 and 2.9. The gearbox in the 2.9 is a GM one and made of chocolate. Just google XC90 2.9 and gearbox and you'll find your answer. Basically the box can't handle the output of the engine and eventually fails. Circa €4K fix.

On the 2.5 petrol things are better as it's some Japanese made box and takes it well. The 2.5 also comes in a manual, but only the base model, normally it's the Auto (geartronic). The box itself if sluggish and the car is a raging alcoholic (you're looking at 20mpg soft of consumption).

The 2.4 diesel is a better option of the two, but much more expensive.

Now, hands-up, I never bought one, but I was on the verge of it and done loads and loads of research. The potential running costs and reliability problems scared me away. The were a nice (if not average drive) and felt sturdy, but nothing special.

Couldn't have said it better.That 2.9 is a piece of ****.The drive plates wear and you cant buy them separate from Volvo although there are after market options from the states.
The D5 diesel is a good option in an auto.You wont keep tyres on it and expect hefty servicing bills.The auto box will need maintenance every 100k and a bill for that is around 200+

iremex

I had a 2006 xc90 D5(186bhp) with 120kms and the gearbox went in 2011. The jeep was fully serviced with volvo dealer and usually before service was due. about 1,000kms after its last service, gearbox started to act up a little (skipping 3rd gear). a few days in the dealership and they gave it the all clear. short story even shorter, 2 days after and im stuck on the side of the road.

I confronted both dealer and volvo about this to which they replied "we will contribute to a repair". so i get it repaired at a cost of €3,000 with the same gearbox specialist that my dealer uses (volvo dealers are not equipped to repair gearboxes but will stick a new one in for €6,500)
volvo ireland then stopped taking calls and responding to emails when I went looking for some "contribution".

i know cars break down and we have to pay for wear and tear but they knew they had a defective gearbox as there has been court cases regarding it in the US

after 10years and 5 different volvos, i have moved to a new manufacturer and will never again buy volvo.

E.B

My dad had to 2.4 D and he loved it. Had it for 4 years put over 120k miles on it and not one problem. It drove the family all over europe and the balkans. Got dogs abuse at times and kept on going. He had to sell it after the recession hit. He would buy another in a heartbeat! HE loved it so much that due to family changes he has his heart set on a xc60, If the opportunity presents itself. Sorry we did have one problem with it. We were 20km outside Sarajevo in bosnia and the tank emptied even though the computer said there was over 200km left in the tank. Turned off the car walked to a station, filled up the car and the problem never recurred. Only downsides we found were its cost of fuel and tyres. We got about 37mpg on a mixed journey.

PurvesGrundy

iremex wrote: »

I had a 2006 xc90 D5(186bhp) with 120kms and the gearbox went in 2011. The jeep was fully serviced with volvo dealer and usually before service was due. about 1,000kms after its last service, gearbox started to act up a little (skipping 3rd gear). a few days in the dealership and they gave it the all clear. short story even shorter, 2 days after and im stuck on the side of the road.

I confronted both dealer and volvo about this to which they replied "we will contribute to a repair". so i get it repaired at a cost of €3,000 with the same gearbox specialist that my dealer uses (volvo dealers are not equipped to repair gearboxes but will stick a new one in for €6,500)
volvo ireland then stopped taking calls and responding to emails when I went looking for some "contribution".

i know cars break down and we have to pay for wear and tear but they knew they had a defective gearbox as there has been court cases regarding it in the US

after 10years and 5 different volvos, i have moved to a new manufacturer and will never again buy volvo.

Totally different gearbox that is. D5's are not sold in the US and have a Japanese Aisin Warner unit. The gearbox you found out there were US court cases over is the four speed GM box linked to the T6, which as already pointed out is a piece of ****.