Hi Guys,

I am looking for a used XC90 2010 - 2011 (preferably Diesel). I have seen few but since I have never owned a Volvo before just wanted to see if there is something I should watch out for so I do not end up with a lemon.
Is there a noticeable difference in fuel consumption between diesel and patrol models?
Diesel models normally have more KMs clocked as compare to the Patrol, which makes me think to go for a patrol model if I can get with low KMs (50000 - 80000) as compare to (150000 - 200000KMs) on Diesel in similar model/price range?

Thanks
Buy the D5.

D5 > V8 > 2.5T > 3.2 > T6

How's the D5 for car towing duty?
depends on what your towing....;)
jamesinc;71593 wroteHow's the D5 for car towing duty?
Slow but mostly adequate
V8 is so much better it's not even funny
Fuel consumption is the same on all the petrols which is poor compared to the d5

Do not even consider buying unless d5 or V8


looking at D5 models most of them have 150000km+ on the clock. as compare to Patrol model 3.2 i can find them 60000-80000KMs same year same same or similar price.
buy the D5
msms;71653 wrotelooking at D5 models most of them have 150000km+ on the clock. as compare to Patrol model 3.2 i can find them 60000-80000KMs same year same same or similar price.
The 3.2 is a pile of shit
has no power and uses more fuel than the V8 does
Has 10x+ the number of known engine issues as the v8 or D5
Most of the 3.2's do not have any of the critical features like the independent rear AC system which is 100% required when the temp gets 32*C+ (most 3.2's are poverty packs with minimal options)

There are really no differences between 07-2010 D5's so look at anything from 07 onwards in the D5 with lower KM
Last year I paid $17k for my 07 D5 with 80k on the clock and full service history
Safest thing to do with any Volvo of this era is:
- go for low kays (unless you have evidence of service history - and I don't mean dealer service but more frequent oil changes, trans flush and AWD inspection for leaks)
- budget 5 k for surprises (ie you need to be able to afford some deeper maintenance).
- don't pay too much (then even given the maintenance its still a good deal).

At 150-180 K range you have a major service and probably need struts and other work on top of normal things that'll eat 4K (or more at a dealer) if you do everything so.

14 days later
msms, how's the xc90 hunt going?

I bought a 2004 xc90 2.5t recently and love it! The turning circle is a complete joke though! Think Austin Powers when you want to do a U turn :-) Fuel economy better than I thought (I was expecting worse) 72L tank and I can do 600kms ok but do mostly highway driving to work and back in it. It wouldn't be to good in the city though. I got it to 680kms a couple of weeks ago and ran out of fuel stuck on the side of the highway. Other cool things about the 2.5t I like - The engine has been around for a while and seems quite a well proven reliable engine, I like the 'Made in Japan' smooth shifting transmission and the sound of the 5cyl turbo when giving it a boot is awesome.. enough power for me. No idea what it tows like yet.

The only other xc90 variation I thought about was the diesel but decided to give it a miss as I was recently burnt by a diesel (modern hilux - great on fuel, but farout it was crazy expensive when it busted). I personally feel more comfortable doing DIY on a petrol so the 2.5t suited me. I didn't even consider a v8 as I presumed they'd be heavy on juice. The 6cyl with the GM tranny is a shocker! I didn't even look at a 3.2.. must of been out of my budget.

Keep us posted. Cheers, Al.
bigal;72899 wrotemsms, how's the xc90 hunt going?

I bought a 2004 xc90 2.5t recently and love it! The turning circle is a complete joke though! Think Austin Powers when you want to do a U turn :-) Fuel economy better than I thought (I was expecting worse) 72L tank and I can do 600kms ok but do mostly highway driving to work and back in it. It wouldn't be to good in the city though. I got it to 680kms a couple of weeks ago and ran out of fuel stuck on the side of the highway. Other cool things about the 2.5t I like - The engine has been around for a while and seems quite a well proven reliable engine, I like the 'Made in Japan' smooth shifting transmission and the sound of the 5cyl turbo when giving it a boot is awesome.. enough power for me. No idea what it tows like yet.

The only other xc90 variation I thought about was the diesel but decided to give it a miss as I was recently burnt by a diesel (modern hilux - great on fuel, but farout it was crazy expensive when it busted). I personally feel more comfortable doing DIY on a petrol so the 2.5t suited me. I didn't even consider a v8 as I presumed they'd be heavy on juice. The 6cyl with the GM tranny is a shocker! I didn't even look at a 3.2.. must of been out of my budget.

Keep us posted. Cheers, Al.
The trans is smooth because it's the 5 speed slowly working to kill itself
It will die soon enough
The trans is smooth because it's the 5 speed slowly working to kill itself
It will die soon enough
Oh no! You talking about the Aisin 55-51SN?? I really only came across good comments about this transmission in the XC90. I did however read there were quite a few issues of the Aisin used in the pre 2003 XC70's and was due to some feature where it would put the transmission back to neutral when at a stop (example - at traffic lights) and flick it back into gear when you go to take off, eventually this made the transmission fail big time. Volvo disabled this 03 onwards which improved the reliability dramatically and pretty sure the feature was never enabled on the XC90. This is all based on my reading online, correct me if not right as I'd like to know more.

I'm stuck with it now. I'll be doing regular ATF changes.. mine looks to never have been changed (now at 128,000kms). Anything else I should be doing to try and get the most life out of it?
    bigal;72952 wrote I'm stuck with it now. I'll be doing regular ATF changes.. mine looks to never have been changed (now at 128,000kms). Anything else I should be doing to try and get the most life out of it?
    Lol. I changed the trans fluid in my V70 after I bought it. Looked like it had never ever been changed in 150000kms. After I changed it we drove to Cooma where it exploded. I fixed it by turning it into a manual hahahaha.

    Lol. I changed the trans fluid in my V70 after I bought it. Looked like it had never ever been changed in 150000kms. After I changed it we drove to Cooma where it exploded. I fixed it by turning it into a manual hahahaha.
    Now you're freakin me out! lol. Did you use JWS 3309 compliant fluid? That's what mine requires.
    I cant remember off the top of my head but it was what the book said and it was freaking expensive! I suppose the sludge was holding it all together.
    I still tow boats and jetski's with my xc90 2.5 which now has 225,000 klm on it and no issues but I do flush it often. Last trip 6.5 hrs to mildura last week and purred like a kitten.
    5 years later
    bigal The trans is smooth because it's the 5 speed slowly working to kill itself It will die soon enough Oh no! You talking about the Aisin 55-51SN?? I really only came across good comments about this transmission in the XC90. I did however read there were quite a few issues of the Aisin used in the pre 2003 XC70's and was due to some feature where it would put the transmission back to neutral when at a stop (example - at traffic lights) and flick it back into gear when you go to take off, eventually this made the transmission fail big time. Volvo disabled this 03 onwards which improved the reliability dramatically and pretty sure the feature was never enabled on the XC90. This is all based on my reading online, correct me if not right as I'd like to know more. I'm stuck with it now. I'll be doing regular ATF changes.. mine looks to never have been changed (now at 128,000kms). Anything else I should be doing to try and get the most life out of it?

    I thought from 2003 to 2007 were 4-speed GM 4T65E (bad transmission) and from 2007 onwards 5-speed Aisin AW55-50/51SN (better but not the best). Please correct me if I am wrong.

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