Newbie Question
 

Hi There
Newbie here looking to buy my first Volvo,after 30 years plus of motoring always admired them. Thinking about a XC 90, to carry myself and my better half along with our 3 small dogs that would be in crates whilst travelling. Haven't got a massive budget up to £ 3.5 k , Are there any pitfalls to lookout for or are they a sound car.
Many thanks

It would seem that it's best to avoid the T6. Gearbox issues

A D5 is your best bet and seem to be good for big miles. Go for one with a really good service history if you can. 100,00 + with a really good service history is better than lower miles without !

You will more than likely get a 163bhp engine which also doesn't have the dpf ( although I think the dpf issues are over exaggerated ) and are good strong engines

Cheers

D5 engine all day long, assuming you do not live/work/visit a city where congestion zone is planned.

When you find a car, get it up on wet grass and give it some gas. If it sits there with the front wheels spinning walk away.

The venerable D5
 

I once enquired of a volvo tech about the D5 engine reliability, who said "theyre bulletproof", so that was good enough for me, mines done 70kmiles since i got it (now at 140k) and its going at least as good if not a not better with regular servicing.

Major cost jobs to keep an eye out for, clutch is a 8 to 10 hour book time job so that may need doing around the 100k mark, clutch slave is something that can go producing a simlar bill for replacement. Timing belt and aux belt are the only 2 other ones to ensure have been done, you might find a 100k + car where this has recently been done, in which case happy days..

Auto gearboxes seldom have the oil changed as it's not a Volvo service item unless taxi work or heavy towing, it's also a £350 job at volvo so few do it.
As with any mechanical devise this running old oil can give problems.

Other manufactures useing the same auto box recomendation changing the oil at 50 or 60 thousand miles.

There are ways you can do it yourself explained on here and the symptoms that can occur. I don't like autos so drive a manual.

Paul.

My local Volvo specialist - Horton Cars - occasionally have old XC90s for sales in your budget. They also ensure that such cars are good examples.

So, perhaps, since Blackpool is a long way away from Aylesbury, you might consider locating your own local Volvo specialist and keeping an eye on their stock.

There’ll be a premium to pay, but such a vehicle will be backed up by the specialist’s reputation.

I thought the 163bhp engines had DPF's? I have an 2007 S80 2.4D with a grey engine cover under the bonnet. Both the 163bhp (Badged 2.4D) & 185bhp (Badged D5) with grey engine covers are euro 4's with DPF's? Unless, you mean older models prior to 2005 - They don't have DPF's?

The older ones.