Hi, I'm brand new to this board, but I drive a '98 S90, which has been a great car and rock-solid dependable. It's getting a little long in the tooth (170,000 miles) and I've been thinking of upgrading to an '03-'07 XC90. They seem like a great bargain used, you can get one with 30,000 miles or so for about half of sticker price.

I drive quite a bit for work (mostly highway miles), and I have an auto allowance and company gas card. Thus, fuel economy and acceleration/performance are not as important to me as dependability.

I know that the XC90 came with a number of powertrain options. I've driven a T5 and a T6 and frankly didn't notice much difference in performance. The T5 seemed to have quite a bit less engine noise in the cabin as well. I know that there is a non-turbo straight 6 available as well as a V8, and each motor comes with a different transmission.

Here are my criteria, in order of importance:

1. Dependability
2. Cost of maintenance/repairs
3. Quiet ride
4. Acceleration/Performance
5. Fuel economy

Based on the above, what is the most "bulletproof" drivetrain option. I'd prefer an AWD, but would rethink that if having AWD dramatically impacts reliability.

 

AWD does not impact reliability, if i was gonna buy a Volvo XC90 id get the V8, and i work on volvos at a dealer, however there are no engine issues with ANY engine Except the new 3.2l, the T6 only has some minor trans issues, which alot have been overblown. The perfect XC would be the new V8 or the 5cyl. both are nice..


And btw- wanna sale me your S90?

 

Well, the V8 motor sure seems to be getting good reviews. I haven't driven one of those yet.

I did have a long conversation the other day with the owner of the place that I bought my S90 from. He was very high on the 2.5T FWD combination. Apparently, he said that there is some bearing(?) in the AWD drivetrain that is a weak link and when it goes it can take the tranny and driveshaft with it. He said that the FWD traction control is awesome and you don't really need AWD, even in winter snow and ice.

Volvotechky, I'll let you know when I'm ready to sell my S90. I'm planning to try to sell it or swap it for a 4x4Toyota truck for my son to drive.

Thanks forthe advice and keep it coming.

 

Could you, please describe the problems you see w/ 3.2L - I thought it was "enlarged" I-6 2.9L engine which was good...

thank you

 

Far from it, the new 3.2 is a pos in my opinion, the seals are popping out of them spewing oil all over, the intake design is well, im not sure but i think it works on magic. lol. Its setup for failure, its kinda hard to explain what all i've seen, i wouldnt own one. Also its the same engine used in some of the Rovers. which we all know about them.

 

I'm asking because I got one of those Rovers (LR2), but my understanding was that Rover sourced engine from Volvo-3.2L was first installed on 2006 Model year S80 and XC90, then in 2007 appeared om Land Rover LR2.

Is it possible that engine is overfilled w/ oil -the manual says it takes 8 Liters of oil, but if you put 8 qts,of oilit shows low on dipstick, so you have to put another bottle to see proper level on dipstick.

What is the proper amount of oil to put in the car: volume as per maual, or fill it up to the level on dipstick?

thanks

 

the volvo manual says 8.1qts, That engine was first put into a US model volvo in 2007

 

Hi, and welcome.

Having owned our XC90 for over 2 years, and with all the comments and experiences other members have posted, the consensus seems to go with the V-8 AWD combination. You can see more of my comments on a thread called Looking to Buy a Pre-owned XC90 from a few days ago if you haven't already.

The V-8 hits all the points you mention that you are looking for that are important to you. The quiet ride might be as attributable to the tires as it is the drivetrain, in our case we have the Michelin Pilot HXMXM4 tires, extremely pleased with handling, quietness of the tires (even at 80+ mph highway cruising), and longevity (need replacing soon now but have 62,000 miles on the factory tires).

Good luck with your upcoming purchase!

 

Here are some comments to consider.

1. Dependability: Probably the D5 (diesel) wrt. to the engine. The rest should be the same.
2. Cost of maintenance/repairs: Eitheroption will be expensive to maintain.Consider extended warranty.
3. Quiet ride: This depends mostly on what tires you get and how wore out they are. TheVR18/65/235 Michelins and GoodYear Eagle Response Edge arepretty quiet with our V8.
4. Acceleration/Performance: The 311 hp V8 for sure. Forget the the old T6 - too many transmission problems and turbo are notorious wrt. oil leaks. The D5 is only 185 hp.
5. Fuel economy: The V8 is not very fuel efficient. Don't expect more than 17mpg. The D5 Diesel (available in Europe)wouldbe a better choice in this regard (about 27 mpg for mixed driving).

We have the V8 with the 6 speed and love it, but with increasing fuel prices we will consider a diesel next time.

 

Where exactly do you plan on getting a diesel XC90 in the states?

 

I read that Volvo plans to bring the D5 to the uS in 2009. Otherwise, buy it overseas and bring it back.

 

Based on the popularity of the D5 in Europe as well as the increasing oil prices we should expect to see the D5 in the US within the next year. Otherwise you would have to buy one overseas

 

Well, I have asked volvo this question alot, and there is no plans to bring the diesel to the US, the demand for diesel isnt there. people just dont like driving diesels over here. Regardless of the fuel mileage. The new S40 when it was introduced was suppose to have a diesel option in the US and it doesnt. The demand for it is not in the US. And to go overseas buy 1 and bring it back? being that they dont offer 1 for the US, what are you gonna do about the whole LFD (left hand drive) RHD thing? also the speedo will be in KM only. So you can just go buy one and bring it back.. theres more to it. Plus the costs.

I beleive if it was that easy alot more ppl who feel that way you do would have done this already.

 

Time will tell. In Europe it is only the UK which drives on the left side of the road, All other European countriesdrive on same side as us.

 

The cars are completely different in europe, all the software is different, and im pretty sure, that we can't even get s/w for the diesels here in the states. The diesel s/w is not in Vida

so bringing a diesel over here would be a huge mistake. not able to do much work to it..