General: XC90 3.2 buying advice

[crazypierre]

Hello,
I was a long term XC90 D5 Mk1 owner which I just sold due to the ULEZ expansion.
Looking to buy a Mk1 3.2 V6 so researching this model for problems to look out for.
Would anyone have any tips, advice, problem areas or things to look out for with these V6 engines and auto gearboxes?
It's likely to be an older one with over 100k miles on it,
Thanks in advance.
Peter

[ommony]

It's an inline 6, not V6 (just FYI). :P
At any rate, I only have experience with my 2006/7 3.2 which is now on over 260,000 miles with the original engine/transmission. I'm not going to say it's been problem free, but transmission has been faultless and the engine too, really. Obviously at that sort of mileage there have been lots of bits and pieces replaced over the years, but the engine/transmission have never been out or apart, it's only been ancillary stuff (vacuum pump, water pump, power steering pump -- ie, stuff bolted to the engine, not the engine itself). I will say that I look after my motors; can't speak to how the enginge/transmission would hold up to years of neglect and abuse.
I think my advice would be to just check for the normal XC90 issues, and not worry too much about specifics for the 3.2 as neither it nor its 6 speed autobox are known problem areas (unlike the T6 which has a different transmission know to fail regularly).
With higher mileage XC90s you would be better off checking all the braking/suspension components as these will be worn if not already sorted and that can all add up to a lot of money and work. Also checking condition/history of the drivetrain after the transmission (ie, transfer box/bevel gear, prop shaft, haldex unit, rear diff, etc).

[crazypierre]

Thanks very much, appreciate your tips.

[Moose Test]

I'm biased but perhaps don't rule out the V8, if you can find a good one? Both are scarce so keeping your options open might give you a larger pool to choose from.

I test drove both the 3.2 and the 4.4 before making my last XC90 purchase and the driving experience is chalk and cheese but with very similar real world MPG.

It's also ULEZ compliant but VED *might* be more of an issue. It's daylight robbery (imho) for the V8. I don't know how the straight six compares in that regard.

[crazypierre]

Hi, I would like the V8 but not many in the UK I don't think.

[Moose Test]

According to the latest published DVLA dataset, the number of remaining (licensed or SORN ) vehicles is:

3.2 ~335
V8 ~186

D5 2.5L engine models ~38k

i.e. "Hen's teeth" in both cases, sadly.

[Simon PMB]

Hi

I have had a 2007 3.2 for about 2 1/2 years and love it. It gets used a lot, for all kinds of different things and its been amazing.

The gearbox's are probably the best ones fitted to the XC90 and as I had to have a ULEZ compliant car as well, the V8 and 3.2 are definitely the best options (not least because there is no cambelt or turbo(s) to worry about).

I was also looking at V8's but in the end decided on the 3.2 as it is so much simpler, with lots more room to work on it and whilst the MPG is similar, from what I could find out the 3.2 is about 10% better, which does add up if you are doing a few miles.

Only downsides are the high tax (£600pa), the high maintanance costs and of course the petrol costs.

As with buying any XC90 the key is to find a well maintained one, with a proper service history with receipts etc, not just a stamped book. It is also vital that it has been looked after by a Volvo specialist, or at a push a Volvo main dealer and not just had basic servicing at some local garage.

Hope this helps and good luck searching

[ian ferguson]

Hi, I had a V8 and it was the best XC90 i have ever owned i also had a D5, i now have a 3.2, and now i've that got over the loss of the V8, i like it a lot. The 3.2 I bought with a 135,000 miles on the clock a year ago. the brake discs and pads. were done before i picked it up. Since then i've done the track control arms and changed the transmission fluid. i'm just about to do the serpentine belt, water pump, tensioner, air/con clutch, idler pulley and the alienator pulley. The V8 had LPG and was very cheap to run compared to the 3.2. Overall i'm very happy with the 3.2

[ommony]

Originally Posted by ian ferguson

Hi, I had a V8 and it was the best XC90 i have ever owned i also had a D5, i now have a 3.2, and now i've that got over the loss of the V8, i like it a lot. The 3.2 I bought with a 135,000 miles on the clock a year ago. the brake discs and pads. were done before i picked it up. Since then i've done the track control arms and changed the transmission fluid. i'm just about to do the serpentine belt, water pump, tensioner, air/con clutch, idler pulley and the alienator pulley. The V8 had LPG and was very cheap to run compared to the 3.2. Overall i'm very happy with the 3.2

My 3.2 has been on LPG for the past 160k and the engine seems to love it. I still get around 20mpg and can usually find LPG at 80p/l so it works out roughly a money equivalent of getting 35-40mpg running on petrol.
The serpentine belt and associated bits and pieces is a pig of a job compared to most engines, but it's not THAT bad if you're reasonably handy with a spanner. The one thing I would say is that my original from factory belt/water pump/power steering pump/etc, etc, were all perfectly fine until around 250,000 miles. I'm not suggesting that you wait that long, but if you bought yours a year ago with 135k, I'm guessing you're not more than 150-160k now, so unless you have some symptom indicating imminent belt failure, I don't think you need to panic and rush to changes all those bits (although I'm fully supportive of preventative maintenance). Depending on your annual mileage you could still have 10 years of good life out of those parts. hah

[ian ferguson]

Originally Posted by ommony

My 3.2 has been on LPG for the past 160k and the engine seems to love it. I still get around 20mpg and can usually find LPG at 80p/l so it works out roughly a money equivalent of getting 35-40mpg running on petrol.
The serpentine belt and associated bits and pieces is a pig of a job compared to most engines, but it's not THAT bad if you're reasonably handy with a spanner. The one thing I would say is that my original from factory belt/water pump/power steering pump/etc, etc, were all perfectly fine until around 250,000 miles. I'm not suggesting that you wait that long, but if you bought yours a year ago with 135k, I'm guessing you're not more than 150-160k now, so unless you have some symptom indicating imminent belt failure, I don't think you need to panic and rush to changes all those bits (although I'm fully supportive of preventative maintenance). Depending on your annual mileage you could still have 10 years of good life out of those parts. hah

Hi, One pulleys or the A/c clutch is making a noise, so while I'm in there I'm going to do the lot, including new seals on air pump. I am intending to convert to LPG, but when researching i read somewhere that the Ford valves and valve seats are not the same quality as the Yamaha, and you need fit some extra injection system to lubricate the valves. Do you have this on yours. I had a quote of £1850.00 to fit the LPG. Thanks Ian