Wallander
Hi all, fairly new here but long time Volvo nutter.
We have spent three years restoring our beloved 93 240 estate, but due to my work it is increasingly getting more of a thrashing than I would like. Thinking about keeping it for light towing duties/road trips and picking up a low mileage 06-07 xc70 for hauling my equipment around on our rubbish rural roads. The early p3 xc70 models seem problematic. I get off highway quite a bit for my work and do long runs regularly but don't need a true 4wd. I had an 06 v70 for a while and it was great, sold on at star trek mileage, but not sure about the awd models. Just wondered what other peoples experiences have been with the last two years of this model, particularly if the gearbox issues were indeed resolved for Australian market? Thanks in advance.
Philia_Bear
Anything p2 with an auto will end in misery and pain
Anything p2 in manual form will go for near ever
The gearbox issues were never resolved, just simply reduced slightly
egads (she/her)
p3 d5's are solid as a rock, p3 3.2 petrols are the ones leading to bad reviews
Ex850R
@JeremyK has successfully converted his 04? XC70 to manual, it is an involved process but surely a worthwhile one considering what the rest of these cars offer.
I say this knowing it's not inexpensive if you had someone do the work but if you can do engine and gearbox removals and possess a modicum of mechanical nose then you could do the majority of work and have a peep do the tech parts, Jeremy can advise I'm sure.
I am dead keen on an XC70 myself, always have been. Considering the auto could go south I have even thought of attempting the solid upgrade paths available although, yes, they ultimately are going to fail. I wouldn't put a big strain on the driveline other than city traffic..
I could even be persuaded to go manual at some stage... Knee replacement may be needed then!
Wallander
Thanks guys, I suspected as much, plan b might be a base v50 with a bash plate, less to go wrong, can always carry a hand winch in the boot for off grid work. Does anybody know if the v50 t5 awd drivetrain is ok? Could be a good compromise? I really don't have time now to mess about with conversions as much I like your suggestions, flat out keeping up with various paying projects right now.
I wouldn't be towing anything with any of these awd things, that's what the 240 does happily when needed, although rather slowly. I read about timing gear problems also with the 3.2 engine and had been tempted by a p3 d5 but wary of DPF issues and all the other crap that goes with modern diesels, would be the perfect package in theory, p3 has a good pay load too?
If only Volvo still made the 240 wagon, good ground clearance and rugged mechanicals.
egads (she/her)
The v50 auto is the same as the p2, so manual is good, auto not so much
Chris
You don't hear as many failures in the V50, but it is important to flush and refill the trans for longevity. Ground clearance isn't amazing though.
Philia_Bear
The v50 auto had better software from factory and just seam to last longer
Manual still better option
The awd v50 sit up dam high so they are pretty good on dirt roads
Philia_Bear
Otherwise... scubarat Forrester with the 2.0 or outback with the 3.0
Chris
Depending how off highway you mean, Subaru is probably a better choice
SA940
I had the 1st model 2010 3.0 Outback. Great car and engine. The gearboxes and clutch was its achilles heal. Too much torque. My clutch went at 40,000. I think the latter models were better.
Wallander
Thanks for the input, yes, my research is also telling me an awd v50 is probably the best gamble, but manuals seem like unicorns. Apparently the awd models sit 40mm higher to package rear diff, is this true? V50/c30/s40 platform seems to be ok by about 2007, although it seems worth doing regular auto gearbox and haldex oil/filter changes, cheap insurance really.
A bash plate and careful wheel placement is usually sufficient for my off highway travels, I'm not rally driving or rock crawling. Out of interest has anybody looked at the general lack of any useful ground clearance on most SUV's these days? a 240 has more, provided the rear suspension is in good order! As for Subaru's, I tried them when I first moved out of the city 20 years ago, quite disappointing, after clutch, gearbox problems and engine oil seals at relatively low km's on both a work supplied 2.0 forester and my 2.5 outback, both manuals, I ditched Subaru, finding them no less problematic to run than our Volvo's at the time and quite thirsty in my experience. Others I know have complained about weak auto transmissions and problems with the diesel boxer engine, a pity. I must admit they ride and handle very well and are still the only real alternative to the Volvo's. I thought about an RX350, but I'm sure my clients would think I'm ripping them off. Time to sit back and wait for a good awd v50 to turn up I guess.
240
Honestly if you're driving on dirt roads, a Subaru is a better option. We had a 2.5 manual Outback in the family, 280,000km and never missed a beat; all it ever needed was the clutch at 260k. Add to that the fact that it was super efficient for its size (under 9 litres per 100), had plenty of power, handled very well, was very safe and went offroad with no issues. (That being said the 3.0 is a better choice to avoid potential head gasket issues, although they only come in auto, which equals higher fuel consumption).
A V50 is more comfortable but an AWD one will be very hard to find, and it will almost certainly be auto.
Don't get me wrong, I'd prefer to drive a V50 any day of the week, but an Outback or Forester is actually a better car in this case.
If it muse be a Volvo, I'd be looking at a (rare) manual P2 XC70, or as you're doing highway driving, a P3 XC70 D5.
All that being said I can't see any problem with selecting a V50.
pauljloz
Perhaps a 2.5T or D5 XC90?
bigal
@Wallander come and join the growing 2.5T XC90 community. Great all rounder machine.
gavinh
bigal;128809 wrote@Wallander come and join the growing 2.5T XC90 community. Great all rounder machine.
The new 240 wagon with ground clearance
Wallander
Thank for the suggestions, but we are sold on Volvo's cars and always seem to gravitate back to them, besides there's not too many seats as comfortable for long hauls. The t5 awd v50 is looking like the best value option at the moment and it's small enough that my wife would be happy to drive it too, (she currently has a c30 t5) it should do everything I need, plus the understated image appeals. The extra bulk of the xc90 seems too much as mostly it's just one or two of us in the car plus a load of gear.
egads (she/her)
Set up saved searches on gumtree, carsales and ebay to get instant emails on t5 awd v50 and have cash ready and you should run across one. I got super lucky and had cash ready to get mine.
pauljloz
Youll enjoy a v50 too.
