Every day XC90 3.2 v D5 v V8

NickSydVolvo

Hey everyone,
Wanting to get some honest advice regarding the 2010-2012 era XC90’s.
I currently have a 08 Lexus RX350 which has been smooth and reliable but miss having a Volvo after having a XC70 2.4, S60 T6 and an old 99 C70 coupe. My brother is buying my Lexus so I’m using this as an opportunity to finally get an XC90.
My question to you all is which motor is going to be the most reliable model to go with? I do the normal day to day, 30 min commute plus a 3 hour drive on the freeway to the ACT once a month. I’m not too fussed about fuel consumption as I’m used to the V6 in my Lexus which guzzles a bit. I always liked the idea/sound of the V8 but read they can be a disaster for maintenance? Also have heard mix reports saying the 3.2 is a gem and others saying that they’re disastrous? Everything I’ve read seems to say that the D5 is pretty decent?
Not overly fussed about performance or the sound, biggest motivation here is reliability and ownership costs seperate to fuel consumption, so any thoughts or advice you all may have I’m all ears and very grateful for. I know that the XC90 is a larger car, European and probably a more complex vehicle than an RX350 but any advice or thoughts you have to ease the slight anxiety I have of leaving the Lexus reliability behind is hugely helpful.

ramrod

V8.

Easiest to service, much more long lasting than the Land Rover 6

D5 is good too, but more complicated so when it needs majors, more expensive

Ex850R

V8 hands down.
The best part of car is the Yamaha V8, it’s surrounded by the usual Volvo quality stuff though….ha!
My 2006 is over 300,000klm, most wear parts now repaired or replaced, it’s epic, T6 is fun but Volvo motor…….

volvrek

V8s are good but they will keep your wallet light I see the 3.2s doing more millage tho than the V8 if you want the burble V8 it if you want reliablty buy the 3.2 skip the D5

nh2868

My V8 is now on 420,000km. Engine has just had basic servicing... oil every 10,000, serpentine belt and idlers, plus spark plugs every 100,000 or so.
The transmission will start to shudder at around 150,000km - it's just the torque converter but getting the transmission out is an expensive exercise to replace the converter. (Same applies to V8, 3.2 and D5) Timing cover and valve covers leak every 10 years or so - another long weekend or most mechanics want to pull the engine to do that job. Like the Lexus it has an angle drive for the AWD system. Unlike the Lexus it will probably need parts replacing - coupling sleeve or angle drive itself - every 100,000 or so.
I'm not going to pretend the V8 is cheap nor easy to work on (it helps when I do all the work on it including 2 other V8s) and it's certainly not going to be as reliable as the Lexus... but hands down the most satisfying car I've ever owned. Trouble is finding a nice one these days.

nh2868

PS V8s were only 2006 to 2010 I recall so that limits the possibilities a bit... The 3.2 can be a good engine but there are a few abnormal engineering "features" like the direct drive alternator and cassette timing chain which put me off buying one so far...

volvrek

I have personal experience of what goes on the V8s as I own 2 and just done the rear diff rebuild last week and replacement sleeve and bevel gear this week I used a XC90 D5 unit little tuffer.
On the 3.2 parts can be cheaper than Volvo as Landrover use the same motor buy from volvo and pay 30% more with volvo

Ex850R

My transmission was rebuilt by a renown transmission specialist who does upgrades should be good for a while! Angle gear sleeve from D5 as well.
Coilovers being installed as we speak.