Hi all and thanks in advance for the help. I am looking to purchase a 2005 xc90 t6 with 222 000 kms. I drove it and instantly fell in love only to go home and read tons of horror stories about transmission issues. It felt fine when I drove it but I am no mechanic. I'm getting a great deal (4000) so my question is should I purchase? If so is there's anything I can do to prevent transmission issues? I'm really just looking for any reason to buy this car because it suits my needs perfectly. Thanks!

 

My advice is avoid it or budget for a transmission later (or sooner) if it hasn't been replaced.

 

What would it cost to replace transmission?

 

When it craps out, Volvo has us replace the trans as well as the cooling system (cooler, radiator and lines). Complete repair runs about $7000.

I would make sure the TCM software is up to date if you do buy it.

Also make sure the timing belt has been replaced.

 

To your question about prevention, I don't think so. It would make sense to think limiting the T6's power to 200 hp or less would have really helped it, but we'll never know. There is a TSB on the cooling system failure causing transmission failure, and you can easily prevent that, but that does not eliminate all the risks, just one.

 

The TCM update can help prevent it.

 

How does one go about updating the tcm? Just take it to the dealership? Is that costly?

 

Yeah that's dealer only.

Runs an hour labor plus the software. It's much less than a trans.

 

Ok so my next question would be what is the next best thing? Is the t6 the only model with transmission issues? I'd be interested in the 2.5t as well or something similar if it was reliable.

 

The 2.5T for sure.

 

Well thanks for the help everyone. Cheers.