Buying XC70 (185hp vs 202hp) - Page 3

40t · Jun 5th, 2020, 07:52

To anyone who's owned or driven both the single and twin turbo versions, are there appreciable differences in refinement at idle/under acceleration?

zapcity1 · Jun 5th, 2020, 09:28

I've both engines in my XC70 & XC60 respectively (both are auto AWD), so just my observations.

The newer engine in the XC60 is more refined, quieter and smoother in every respect especially at idle. The XC70 185 vibrates more noticiably at idle, where I don't pick up much at all from the newer engine.

The 185 is in no way a bad engine (I love driving the XC70 much more than the XC60), but does seem a bit agricultural when you switch between the two, or when you compare to a more modern diesel.

I have a Golf 1.6 diesel DSG (seriously good gearbox!!) at work, and its vitually silent compared to the Volvo engines and revs like a Honda VTEC compared to the D5's.

On the move, I find the 185 very smooth and quiet, but it doesn't quite have the response of the newer engine. Both are very torquey and I find the mid range of both awesome compared to smaller capacity engines. Neither have any issues with overtaking or acceleration (once the auto gearbox wakes up!), and feel so much more powerful than they are when on the move.

Money no object I'd have the newer engine everytime, especially as fuel consumption is noticeably better. I've had 44 from the XC60 (normally mid-30s) where the XC70 has never been north of 40 (normally mid-low 30's) no matter how I drive.

Ideally, I'd have a remapped 215 D5 in an XC70!!

Bonefishblues · Jun 5th, 2020, 10:25

Having gone from a 163E3 to a 202 I was surprised that it wasn't more refined tbh - sure it's smoother and more powerful, but it's still rather rattle-tastic at lower speeds.

apersson850 · Jun 5th, 2020, 11:13

When they changed the injection principle there was quite a difference in engine noise. I noticed when I compared a 2008 to a 2011 XC70, when researching how new a car I should buy, some years ago. After comparing, I found I didn't like the 2008 very much, and that the 2011 I found was pretty close to a new one in cost.
The result was I got a very early 2012 instead, with the D5 230 hp/470 Nm configuration.
Especially with the gear selector in the S position, it's reasonably agile for a diesel.

40t · Jun 5th, 2020, 15:23

Thank you for the helpful responses. Still on the subject of model comparisons, though slightly off topic, does the XC70 give a better ride than the V70 and what are people's views on the differences in road feel between the hydraulic and electric steering (I have the former and like it, other than its weight at parking speeds).

Tatsfield · Jun 5th, 2020, 18:19

Cannot compare the two as asked but I can say that I was expecting the XC70 to be top heavy and spongy when I changed from my previous 3.0 V6 Peugeot 406 Coupe, a lowish long range high speed cruiser based on a very good chassis and sports suspension. I was most pleasantly surprised to find that the Volvo handled itself extraordinarily well and on my standard high speed test bend on the south bound A35 New Forest Road, the XC70 went through as fast and as steady as the exotic looking Italian designed GT. I was so surprised that the next time I came up on that bend I pushed the Volvo harder than ever and it still went through on rails. Not bad for an over height furniture van!

Bonefishblues · Jun 5th, 2020, 20:00

When did electric power steering come in?

Tannaton · Jun 5th, 2020, 21:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonefishblues

Having gone from a 163E3 to a 202 I was surprised that it wasn't more refined tbh - sure it's smoother and more powerful, but it's still rather rattle-tastic at lower speeds.

Yep- if you want silky smooth you need a pre 2006 MY 163 E3 Volvo something...

40t · Jun 6th, 2020, 08:01

I may be mistaken, Bonefishblues (electric power steering) - I'd read that later models had much lighter steering, some testers describing it as overly light, perhaps just a modification due to feedback on the early, heavy steering.

griston64 · Jun 6th, 2020, 08:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by 40t

I may be mistaken, Bonefishblues (electric power steering) - I'd read that later models had much lighter steering, some testers describing it as overly light, perhaps just a modification due to feedback on the early, heavy steering.

I think you are right. Mine is a 215bhp 2012 V70 and i'm pretty certain it has electric power steering

Jun 5th, 2020, 09:28	#22
zapcity1 Senior Member Last Online: Mar 12th, 2024 23:09 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Ipswich	I've both engines in my XC70 & XC60 respectively (both are auto AWD), so just my observations. The newer engine in the XC60 is more refined, quieter and smoother in every respect especially at idle. The XC70 185 vibrates more noticiably at idle, where I don't pick up much at all from the newer engine. The 185 is in no way a bad engine (I love driving the XC70 much more than the XC60), but does seem a bit agricultural when you switch between the two, or when you compare to a more modern diesel. I have a Golf 1.6 diesel DSG (seriously good gearbox!!) at work, and its vitually silent compared to the Volvo engines and revs like a Honda VTEC compared to the D5's. On the move, I find the 185 very smooth and quiet, but it doesn't quite have the response of the newer engine. Both are very torquey and I find the mid range of both awesome compared to smaller capacity engines. Neither have any issues with overtaking or acceleration (once the auto gearbox wakes up!), and feel so much more powerful than they are when on the move. Money no object I'd have the newer engine everytime, especially as fuel consumption is noticeably better. I've had 44 from the XC60 (normally mid-30s) where the XC70 has never been north of 40 (normally mid-low 30's) no matter how I drive. Ideally, I'd have a remapped 215 D5 in an XC70!! __________________ Now: - MY12 XC60 SE Lux Premium D3 Geartonic AWD, MY09 XC70 D5 SE Lux Geartronic AWD, MY08 C70 SE Lux D5 Geartronic & 1994 480GT Previously: - MY08 V50 2.0D SE Lux, MY08 S40 1.8 SE, MY10 C70 SE Lux 2.0D Powershift, & ’99 V40 2.0T SE Lux

Jun 5th, 2020, 18:19	#26
Tatsfield Premier Member Last Online: Today 10:10 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Poole	Cannot compare the two as asked but I can say that I was expecting the XC70 to be top heavy and spongy when I changed from my previous 3.0 V6 Peugeot 406 Coupe, a lowish long range high speed cruiser based on a very good chassis and sports suspension. I was most pleasantly surprised to find that the Volvo handled itself extraordinarily well and on my standard high speed test bend on the south bound A35 New Forest Road, the XC70 went through as fast and as steady as the exotic looking Italian designed GT. I was so surprised that the next time I came up on that bend I pushed the Volvo harder than ever and it still went through on rails. Not bad for an over height furniture van! __________________ 2012 XC70 SE Lux Polestar 230 bhp D5 Auto Oyster Grey

Jun 5th, 2020, 07:52	#21
40t Member Last Online: Today 19:30 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Glos	To anyone who's owned or driven both the single and twin turbo versions, are there appreciable differences in refinement at idle/under acceleration?

Jun 5th, 2020, 10:25	#23
Bonefishblues Premier Member Last Online: Today 20:21 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Near Bicester, Oxon	Having gone from a 163E3 to a 202 I was surprised that it wasn't more refined tbh - sure it's smoother and more powerful, but it's still rather rattle-tastic at lower speeds.

Jun 5th, 2020, 11:13	#24
apersson850 Premier Member Last Online: Apr 17th, 2024 21:40 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Traryd View Photos By: apersson850	When they changed the injection principle there was quite a difference in engine noise. I noticed when I compared a 2008 to a 2011 XC70, when researching how new a car I should buy, some years ago. After comparing, I found I didn't like the 2008 very much, and that the 2011 I found was pretty close to a new one in cost. The result was I got a very early 2012 instead, with the D5 230 hp/470 Nm configuration. Especially with the gear selector in the S position, it's reasonably agile for a diesel.

Jun 5th, 2020, 15:23	#25
40t Member Last Online: Today 19:30 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Glos	Thank you for the helpful responses. Still on the subject of model comparisons, though slightly off topic, does the XC70 give a better ride than the V70 and what are people's views on the differences in road feel between the hydraulic and electric steering (I have the former and like it, other than its weight at parking speeds).

Jun 5th, 2020, 20:00	#27
Bonefishblues Premier Member Last Online: Today 20:21 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Near Bicester, Oxon	When did electric power steering come in?

Jun 6th, 2020, 08:01	#29
40t Member Last Online: Today 19:30 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Glos	I may be mistaken, Bonefishblues (electric power steering) - I'd read that later models had much lighter steering, some testers describing it as overly light, perhaps just a modification due to feedback on the early, heavy steering.

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