Xc90 2009 Petrol

COYS15

Hey there everyone,
I've been doing extensive research on the XC90, more so petrol. Upon doing so, I have found that the earlier models, and also the 2011 model have had many many reports on their problems. I've only found 4 specific problems for this model. They are the following;
Climate Control (needed a software upgrade)
Oil leak from AWD.
Intermittent A/C.
A recall on the Garmin GPS (portable after market compatibility/hazard.
So my question is this, does anyone out there reading thisthis so own an Executive 3.2 i6 2009/10 compliance petrol with anything to report? Anything that needed to be fixed, changed? Expensive? Etc.
Thank you in advance!!

Philia_Bear

3.2 is a slow pile of shit
Either buy the V8 or the d5

The 3.2 is stupidly thirsty, often more so than the V8 while making no torque

Many of them have oil consumption issues and servicing them is a pita as they did some horrid things when they swaped over to the timing chain

Doing simple things like an alt replacement have stupidly high labour rates due to the engines unneeded complexity as compared to the previous 2.9 motor

So
Find a V8 or d5 or find a different car

COYS15

Hi 'philia bear'. Im new to this forum, and my understanding is that you own a parts business for volvos? Which city are you in?
Thanks for you input, sounds like you're no fan of this type of engine ☺, though I have read a lot of problems with the above mentioned as well. You're right, the 3.2 from what I have read is thirsty, I'm asking whether anyone has actually owned the 2009 model and has first hand experience with it needing repair work. Like I mentioned in my first post, I've had my head in computer screens for over a week now finding and reading as much as possible and have found a LOT of complaints about other year models but the 2009 has very minimal complaints.
I obviously should value your opinion considering your knowledge, so I'll ask you maybe if you know specifically on this year model. 2009 petrol executive.
Cheers philia bear.

Philia_Bear

COYS15;65846 wroteHi 'philia bear'. Im new to this forum, and my understanding is that you own a parts business for volvos? Which city are you in?
Thanks for you input, sounds like you're no fan of this type of engine ☺, though I have read a lot of problems with the above mentioned as well. You're right, the 3.2 from what I have read is thirsty, I'm asking whether anyone has actually owned the 2009 model and has first hand experience with it needing repair work. Like I mentioned in my first post, I've had my head in computer screens for over a week now finding and reading as much as possible and have found a LOT of complaints about other year models but the 2009 has very minimal complaints.
I obviously should value your opinion considering your knowledge, so I'll ask you maybe if you know specifically on this year model. 2009 petrol executive.
Cheers philia bear.

I'm a former master mechanic
2009 had minimal complaints cause volvo hardly sold any that year due to the gfc
They were selling 08 inventory through most of 09

There is no physical difference between 08-2010 that's worthy of mention in regards to reliability

The 3.2 is shit
Common issues relate to the timing system eating itself
Oil consumption
The stupid shaft driven accessories
Alt failures
Pcv issues
Maf and fuel pressure sensor issues

The d5 by comparison has no common engine issues
The V8 had issues if you wash the engine daily with a pressure washer and put it away wet

Philia_Bear

To note as well

Executive vs r design etc
No difference mechanically other than spring rates and shocks for the suspension
Some differences on included interior features such as power passengers seat etc none of this is a reliability issue though

If you are in the market for one
Many of the d5 r design did get the polstar software from the dealer as well it makes a huge difference in response from the motor

Keeping the things is just down to good maintenance
Means doing things like trans fluid flush and Haldex flush and oil changes every 7500km

COYS15

Thanks for your help mate. Thing is, I've put a deposit on the above mentioned. 77k kms. It's actually a beautiful car. Very well kept, interior is immaculate and test drive was put to work. The log books are all up to date, but from what I've read the problems may be just around the corner.
My thoughts are that I have my mechanic go through it thoroughly, check the oil, see if there are any leaks, or if it's leaking into the coolant, check the AWD system and see if there are any leaks with the fluids, maybe have the chain and water pump replaced (if needed), check to see whether there are any blockages in the hoses for A/C (reported water on passenger floor due to blockages) , check the transmission and alternator.
The way I see it, it can't be all doom and gloom. I've done so much reading that it could affect people in a very negative way and steer clear of all volvos all together. But surely not. Like you said, "keeping the things is down to good maintenance". I have an excellent mechanic, in fact I have 3 very close friends who are excellent mechanics and will no doubt be able to keep things clear and transparent for me. Pricing will be cheaper than taking it to Volvo no doubt, unless of course there is a software upgrade etc. I'm assuming that that can only be done by a Volvo workshop. In saying all that, I don't have very deep pockets and won't want to be spending multiple thousands of dollars on it.

Philia_Bear

Keeping the d5 and V8 are down to maintenance

The i6 is and has been a pile of poo since its inception maintenance will not fix the design defects in it

If your stuck losing your deposit that sux but if it eats the accessories drive chain in 25k your looking at an easy 10k bill or more

Those cars are a serious risk when out of warranty

Also
Pretty much every 15k service needs to be done at volvo or an independent with Vida (there are some) for software stuff
The intermediate services you can do yourself or at an independent

Ben

COYS15;65875 wroteThing is, I've put a deposit on the above mentioned.

The XC90 has been discussed many times by prospective owners and there's a lot of discussion in the Bruce threads about which models are good and which are bad. There's probably another 3-4 guys on here that will tell you exactly what PB has told you (and more) and each have their own experience.

I got burned with my '03/04 XC70 and lost a lot of money on it – I wish I had had this sort of advice before buying it!

Smitty

Like!

Ex850R

Summary of above comments is you should get your deposit back.
The costs you face with it will far outweigh a deposit.
Go for d5/V8 instead.

We don't dispute or belittle your mechanics knowledge and ability but unless they are Volvo Tech's that know the issues the inline 6 has then you should steer clear of it.

Rob has a d5 xc70 and loves it , same mechanicals etc to the xc90.

Good luck with whatever you decode but rest assured the blokes here can help you no matter
Les

Ex850R

BTW @iceton1975 has driven used examples of all of them and said he got great fuel economy in the V8.

COYS15

Thanks Les!

VolvoDeger

Don't get too disheartened with this as I have customers who love them and have travelled well over the 150k mark and one has now done 215,000 klm in hers without any major issues. Oil leaks from the rear brake pump is very common, though with steering rack some faults occur. Some time with cars it's the luck of the draw........................

Ben

Ex850R;65916 wroteGood luck with whatever you decode but rest assured the blokes here can help you no matter
Les

VolvoDeger;66174 wroteDon't get too disheartened with this ... some time with cars it's the luck of the draw........................

Same, best of luck with it!

COYS15

Thanks guys. Genuinely good lads you guys are!!!
I had my mechanic go through it thoroughly and put his own computer on it to check for any electrical issues. It's was only the lumbar support, and the massage in both passage and driver seats... which I really couldn't care about. I'm not expecting the massage to get all my knots out!! Haha
Transmission is fine, oil is fine, chain, sparks etc are all doing what they're suppose to be doing.
Needs a wheel alignment and nothing major to report.
We're going to flush the oil and put a high quality Penrite 5W30. Then flush it again after about 5000 kms to try and get as much sludge out as we can.

Ex850R

And do the trans flush and software update. Flush it every 50k or less , someone can chime in on this
When do we get pictures of the beast!!??

COYS15

Thank for the advice. Adam, my mechanic suggested we do that as well. The way I see it, prevention is better than cure. But I know, I know... it could just happen when you never expect it.