V50 T5 - AWD or not?
 

Hi all,

after some careful consideration on what to have as my next car I am settled on getting a V50 T5.

I am in LHD side of Europe and there seems to be an equal selection between FWD and AWD T5's. I cannot really make up my mind on which to choose.

Reading up on the spline sleeve and haldex issues of the XC90's I am a bit worried now.. Is the AWD V50 affected as well? Does it share the parts with the XC90? I would not mind FWD either, but I do use the car in Austria in the winter as well and also plan on modding it a bit, so AWD could help putting the power down and managing snowy situations (not mandatory by any means though, I was using there various FWD and RWD cars, and they were OK).

Regarding fettling with the car, I decided on the block mod first, everything else can come afterwards (bigger IC, exhaust, clutch and remap first). Spent some time reading through threads, but could not find much if AWD parts and the issues between the bigger models are shared as well.

So thank you for your help in advance!

Kind regards from Hungary
pitesy

I'm my opinion the AWD system is overrated on this model generation. It weighs a lot and the 0-60mph T5 AWD time is pretty dire given the size of engine and power produced. Parts can be harder to source for AWD models too.

If you're going down the more power route, I'd stick a limited slip differential in there when you get the clutch done. T5's have fairly linear power curves, so with good tyres, torque steer isn't much of an issue like the older high pressure 4 or 5 pot Volvo turbos but an LSD will give you a lot more control when pushing more power without the burden of AWD weight etc.

Thanks a lot FunkyMelon!

I also think that sounds right, that would be the better choice. Also my fear from the AWD-spline issues will be gone. :)

Late to the party due to inactivity on the forum (covid shmovid...) but if you havent decided and still weighting options I can provide some opposite opinions to FM's based purely on my own experience (see my sig) and butt-dyno, but lemme know if the question is still valid :tounge_smile: