XC90 buyers guide

[skiffy]

Hi all, first post on here. After years of loyal Audi ownership 3rd child dictates a big car, so for now I have to hang up German car hat, the S4 is sold :-( and I'm in the market for an XC90.

Budget is around 6k, was initially hoping to get a manual but this might be too big an ask. Definitely diesel.

From what I can tell basic choices are:
pre 06 - no DPF (and risk of failure) better economy.
auto - boxes are fairly solid but I've always been wary of autos and potential bills, and more of a manual guy, but this isn't exactly a drivers car.
manual - risk of DMF failure

Is there a check list of common faults to check for?
Were there any recalls/campaigns to check for?

I've been advised to check for rear driveshaft play.

Any advice gratefully received.

Cheers all.

[binty]

Hi Skiffy,
Welcome.
There are a few guides on the forum, just open the search box on the right and type in buyers guide.
Here is one thread,
http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showth...t=buyers+guide

I have a 2006 model year D5 SE Auto and my brother has a 2010 D5 Active manual.
A major update was the 2007 model year, (square reversing lamps), but some cars have been retrofitted with these lights so best to check.

Both manual and auto are great, personally i like the auto, seems to suits the car really well.
You will not be short of power with any D5.
History is vital, and if it has been used for towing check auto transmission fluid has been changed at 70 000 miles, (Cost up to about £300)

Any car registered before 23 March 2006 will be no more than the lower tax band K £290 regardless of its emissions.
If registered on or after this date the emissions must be 225 g/km or below to get the band K, if higher they will be bands L (£490) or M (£505). Check the V5 for the date of registration and emissions for your vehicle as they do vary.

Black leather seems to wear better than cream. Tyres cost me £120 each for Michellins (18 inch wheels), cheaper are available.
A quick check is to press the READ button on the left hand stalk, it will bring up any messages even if someone has disabled a warning light. It should say 'no messages' in the instrument cluster.(I get sellers to text me a photo of this before I will even travel to look at a car)

Buy the best car you can, I walked away from 10 before finding the right one.
I expected evidence of kids, but some had been inhabited by a herd of goats
Good luck

[skiffy]

Thanks, that's really useful info. I'd also plan to scan for codes.

Is there a table of service intervals for cambelt, brake fluid, etc etc? How long to the DPFs last? is there any maintenance on them?

I'll take a look at your link.

Cheers.

[binty]

Hi Skiffy,
On mine cam belt is 108 000 miles or 6th service. thereafter I think it is 90 or 96 000 miles.
Brake fluid is same as any other car, 2 or 3 years generally. Coolant is long life (10 yrs).
No idea abut DPF as mine does not have one.
Happy hunting

[Acer]

Originally Posted by skiffy

Thanks, that's really useful info. I'd also plan to scan for codes.

Is there a table of service intervals for cambelt, brake fluid, etc etc? How long to the DPFs last? is there any maintenance on them?

I'll take a look at your link.

Cheers.

Scan for codes using a proper tool if possible. Not all codes will trigger warnings. There is another method where you can check if any DTCs are set. I think it is by holding the read button and pressing the fog light button twice.