New to the V70 and the world of Volvo

[bananarama]

Hi everyone

I'm new to the world of Volvo. In fact, I don't have one yet.

My lady and I have fallen head over heels for the V70 gen3 and it's epic boot. We're currently eying up a 2015 D4 SE Lux (4-cylinder ) and we're wondering if the community would be able to give us some tips, essential things to know, stuff like that. For example, what's this 4-cylinder engine like?

One thing we're already thinking about: this particular V70 has 18inch alloys and we could "feel" them on the test-ride, so we'd probably "downgrade" to 17inch for a comfier ride, maybe even 16inch. However, it could be the factory suspension was setup for the 18inch alloys; no idea...

We hope to be Volvo owners soon

Cheers!

[griston64]

Originally Posted by bananarama

Hi everyone

I'm new to the world of Volvo. In fact, I don't have one yet.

My lady and I have fallen head over heels for the V70 gen3 and it's epic boot. We're currently eying up a 2015 D4 SE Lux (4-cylinder ) and we're wondering if the community would be able to give us some tips, essential things to know, stuff like that. For example, what's this 4-cylinder engine like?

One thing we're already thinking about: this particular V70 has 18inch alloys and we could "feel" them on the test-ride, so we'd probably "downgrade" to 17inch for a comfier ride, maybe even 16inch. However, it could be the factory suspension was setup for the 18inch alloys; no idea...

We hope to be Volvo owners soon

Cheers!

I have a D5 with 17inch wheels and it's very comfortable on those. 16inch could look a bit on the small side tbh.

I have no experiance of the 4 cylinder D4. I really like the power ( 215bhp ) from my D5 and on long motorway runs ( all I use it for ) it's pretty good on fuel. Lovely sound when you really floor it which is an added bonus

[Familyman 90]

I think that will year have the new generation 4 cylinder Volvo modular engine that went into the later cars like the current XC90...? You might want to check the car to be sure though. A good motor, a better proposition that the Ford 2 litre in the earlier versions.

That said, you want a D5. The 215 is sublime, but the 185 and 200 still give very good mid range punch. Theyre all much more flexible and sound so much meatier than the 4 pot units.

That aside, great cars. Large boot, comfy seats, beautiful ride quality on 18s (with decent tyres, budget tyres will ride like castors), steers well, reasonable chassis to hustle along. I kind of accidentally acquired mine intending to flip it and earn an easy profit, but its so good its staying on the fleet.

[Tannaton]

I'd beg to differ slightly on the engines - the VEA engines are good and if it's a D4 VEA with Geartronic it will have the 8-speed auto - that's the smoothest driving and riding Volvo of any combination in my view.

But you can't beat a D5 for grunt and pace...

Just make sure it has full service history with any recalls done, there were a few for the early VEA engines but if they have been done it will likely be absolutely fine.

[uknowiama]

I believe there is a known issue with the 4 cyclinder D4 engines

https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/p...x.htm?t=107708

EGR cooler is prone to blocking.
I believe it doesn't happen if you run it on the super diesel - VPower, Ultimate, etc - HJ

Also see here for examples
https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbyca.../v70-2007/good

So D4 engine is good but needs a little looking after to avoid problems?

As said by others, I keep to the D5, little more power, little thirstier, 5 cyclinder engine note, proven design for the most part.

[Sotosound]

I have a 64-reg V70 D4 SE Lux Geartronic with the VEA 4-cylinder engine and it's a great car.

Performance is excellent and definitely better than earlier P3 D5s whilst not being that far behind later D5s.

The D4 VEA engine has balancer shafts that counter the out-of-balance forces created by 4-cylinder engines and make it a real smoothy.

Some VEA engines of this vintage have been known to suffer from high oil consumption, but my V70 doesn't. This might be down to how it's been used over the years.

In terms of EGR coolers etc., mine had a new cooler fitted for free by Volvo Maidenhead just over a year ago and it's running very nicely.

Three positive things for the D4 are that it is probably a bit quieter than the D5, it's ULEZ-compliant, and annual VED is only £30 instead of £210 for the D5.

My car runs on 17" wheels and rides and handles very nicely. Also, since the R-Design version wasn't available for the 2015 model year, I'm surprised that your example sits on 18" wheels. A test drive will tell you, however, whether or not the ride is OK and whether or not the turning circle has been adversely affected.

By the way, out of curiosity, what trim level is it, what transmission, what mileage, what colour, and what price? Also, does it have a good service history?

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by uknowiama

I believe there is a known issue with the 4 cyclinder D4 engines

https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/p...x.htm?t=107708

EGR cooler is prone to blocking.
I believe it doesn't happen if you run it on the super diesel - VPower, Ultimate, etc - HJ

Also see here for examples
https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbyca.../v70-2007/good

So D4 engine is good but needs a little looking after to avoid problems?

As said by others, I keep to the D5, little more power, little thirstier, 5 cyclinder engine note, proven design for the most part.

There was a recall for the EGR on the earlier D4's and that resolves the very issues that were experienced. Very few, if any, post on here that they have had issues following the mod.

I read the honestjohn website and I think it's a comic, often contradictory information and not always accurate, I wouldn't take that too seriously.

The first article is a readers letter, and the dealer ordering the parts probably means they looked the car up and saw the recall wasn't done.

The second review is simply not factual. The rear LED clusters very rarely fail, I've only ever seen one post on here in 8 years were a rear LED lamp on any Volvo model had to be replaced. The second negative is also incorrect - the torque limiting on 1st & 2nd gears applied only to cars with the AW55 gearbox and for the V70 these ended in 2005. The rest of the drivelous article is probably a list of all V70 breakdowns in the UK.

It's just someones rant from their bedroom keyboard...

I've owned 2 D5's and 1 D4 VEA in the XC60 platform and they are both so similar in performance and experience the only question you really need to ask is do I need AWD (all AWD cars & D5 of the 2015MY-> P3 platform are 5 cylinder, 2WD D3 & D4 are 4 cylinder VEA)

[Sotosound]

Originally Posted by bananarama

Hi everyone

I'm new to the world of Volvo. In fact, I don't have one yet.

My lady and I have fallen head over heels for the V70 gen3 and it's epic boot. We're currently eying up a 2015 D4 SE Lux (4-cylinder ) and we're wondering if the community would be able to give us some tips, essential things to know, stuff like that. For example, what's this 4-cylinder engine like?

One thing we're already thinking about: this particular V70 has 18inch alloys and we could "feel" them on the test-ride, so we'd probably "downgrade" to 17inch for a comfier ride, maybe even 16inch. However, it could be the factory suspension was setup for the 18inch alloys; no idea...

We hope to be Volvo owners soon

Cheers!

So.... we've all pushed our opinions on you, but what are you looking for from your own V70?