Volvo S60

up3mxn8s9l4fr2

Hi

I'm considering a used Volvo S60 2l diesel. My budget is around 15-16k. I'm not opposed to importing as selection seems relatively limited.
My budget seems to return number of cars in 2013-2015 range which is fine.

My question is regarding the difference between the 163hp engine and the 181hp engine in the D4 models.

I have come across a couple of R-Designs one of which is 2013 163hp, mileage appears fine while the same budget returns a couple of 2015 SE 181hp.

I like the R-Design and would be happy to sacrifice a year or two but if there was a significant difference in engine, the better engine would matter more to me.

I'd appreciate some info regarding difference. I am due to view a 163hp R-Design this week.

Thanks

bazz26

Afaik the 163bhp version upto 2013 is the older 5 cylinder engine. I think they were replaced by 4 cylinder engines in different power outputs from about 2014 onwards. They are all decent engines with decent diesel torque but the 5 cylinder would sound a bit nicer and would be my choice. The badging is a bit confusing though as D3/D4 could be either 4 or 5 cylinder depending on the year of manufacture.

Nuw

As Bazz said, the 5-pot is the one to get, it has a definite character, I'd mate it with the auto box if possible, it works really well together.

The newer 4 might be easier on tax and diesel though, and should still be pleasant to drive as both engines have the same torque (400Nm).

up3mxn8s9l4fr2

Thanks very much for that.

I quite like the R-Design in the V40 also and I see that has a 190 hp engine. I assume that is a 4 cylinder too so same advice would apply?

Thanks again

Nuw

V40 is a lot smaller than the S60 though, so make sure it still suits your needs of space. The 190hp diesel was introduced in 2014 for the V40, so yes, it's the 4-cylinder form (Volvo stopped producing their 5-pots around 2012 if I'm not mistaken).

Even though the 5 pots has our preferences because of its smoothness and character, the 4 pots from Volvo are more than capable. I wouldn't limit myself to the 5 if I were you. All else being equal (or similar), then yes, the 5 pots is the way to go, but the 4 are not 'bad' in any way.

R.O.R

Both are cracking engines, but the early D4 4 cylinder versions had a lot of issues with EGR intercoolers, whereas the 5 Cylinder versions were pretty much bulletproof being based on a much older design.

The 5 Cylinder gives you a huge kick of torque, but does pretty much nothing past 3,000 revs - fine once you get used to it, just bang it in the next gear and ride the wave of torque. The 4 cylinder keeps going past 3,000rpm and still kicks in a healthy amount of torque - you'll struggle to get it all down in anything except bone dry conditions.

If looking at the UK, they got different versions in the R-Design. Standard R-Design is based on ES spec with R-Design bits, so gets the lovely seats, wheels and bumpers, but misses out on nice bits the SE may have. UK also got R-Design SE versions, so all the bits that the SE got plus the R-Design bits.

If you don't need the rear legroom (which isn't that great anyway) of the S60, then the V40 is exactly the same from the drivers seat. I'd say a D4 190ps V40 would be a hoot to drive - I've driven a couple of D3 V40's (150ps) and they are pretty nippy little things with great handling.

up3mxn8s9l4fr2

Hey guys,

I appreciate the feedback on the s60. The one I was looking at appears to be sold so I've been looking at a few others.

They're not Volvos as I've tried to tighten my budget a tad as I simply don't need to spend quite as much I don't believe. I've been looking at a few reviews on a lower end brand names to pick up some value


I'll be doing 30,000 miles a year approx if that helps with your assessment.

I can't link but a seller near me has two Vauxhall Astra 2.0 cdti 165ps with <30k miles. Price is decent and dealers appears fine from site and reviews

bazz26

Google "M32 gearbox problems."

Stick with the V40/S60.