Powershift vs Geartronic - how are they aging?

[btjtaylor]

Hi all

I've found a few threads on this topic but they're a little out of date, mostly to do with new or nearly new purchases

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience on how these transmissions are holding up now that the cars are aging? There are a lot of V50s for sale in great condition but with high mileage, which doesn't bother me in principal, but these expensive transmissions can be a worry,

I'm looking at buying a used V50, i'm only interested in Auto cars but i've noticed that theres many cars for sale with either a Powershift or Geartronic transmission.

From what I understand, Geartronic is more a traditional auto whereas Powershift is a DSG equivalent? My general thoughts are that a traditional auto should last longer and be less expensive to fix (at least from my experience looking at VAG cars), but I don't know if this carries over to Volvo?

I had a DSG Skoda a few years back and liked the way it drove, but i've also had traditional Auto cars in the past and don't mind a more slushy gearchange, so really i'm looking to choose based on reliability not driving performance,

Any advice greatly appreciated

Thanks in advance
Ben

[Bendolfc]

Not sure about how reliable they are when installed in Volvos but Ford have had significant problems getting Powershift to be reliable so I'd be wary of them personally.

[ripstandem]

Having owned three v50s over the years, one manual, one powershift and finally a geartronic I have these views;
Each proved reliable needing no repairs or service in my ownership.
Bear in mind any gearbox repair will be costly more so for the powershift than the geartronic and then the manual box.
I was not impressed with the manual box, gearing set for economy rather than general driving however you have not asked about that.
The geartronic and powershift performed largely alike, I would not describe the geartronic as slushy but you can tell there is a torque converter. I believe the engine the gearbox is attached to makes the difference, the powershift attached to a two litre four cylinder diesel the geartronic to a five cylinder diesel or petrol engine.
I much preferred the five cylinder engine attached to the geartronic transmission.
Full service history is a must for the powershift ,I believe this is specialist work.

[btjtaylor]

Thanks for the feedback, doing some reading about the Ford powershift transmissions in the years that Volvo put them in the V50 (2007-2011 ish) and it doesnt look good lots of complaints online - maybe due to poor servicing from the owner (like you say FSH is important) but im still not sure i'd take the risk

I think i'd prefer a 5 cylinder anyway so I think the D4 or D5 with geartronic is my preferred combination! Im doing 20k or so a year so I think a petrol would be a bit expensive for me to run although I wouldnt be completely scared of a T5 if a nice example came up for sale

[Tannaton]

If you get a geartronic that's pre-2011 MY then bear in mind it is the earlier more "slushy" AW55 5-speed unit (which is good if you like smoothness...)

On these boxes Volvo do not include oil changes in their standard service schedule (arduous use vehicles excepted) but other car manufacturers who fitted this gearbox invariably did.

Hence get the transmission oil changed around every 50k-70k (less if towing).

[Simmy]

Originally Posted by btjtaylor

Hi all

I've found a few threads on this topic but they're a little out of date, mostly to do with new or nearly new purchases

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience on how these transmissions are holding up now that the cars are aging? There are a lot of V50s for sale in great condition but with high mileage, which doesn't bother me in principal, but these expensive transmissions can be a worry,

I'm looking at buying a used V50, i'm only interested in Auto cars but i've noticed that theres many cars for sale with either a Powershift or Geartronic transmission.

From what I understand, Geartronic is more a traditional auto whereas Powershift is a DSG equivalent? My general thoughts are that a traditional auto should last longer and be less expensive to fix (at least from my experience looking at VAG cars), but I don't know if this carries over to Volvo?

I had a DSG Skoda a few years back and liked the way it drove, but i've also had traditional Auto cars in the past and don't mind a more slushy gearchange, so really i'm looking to choose based on reliability not driving performance,

Any advice greatly appreciated

Thanks in advance
Ben

any auto box is only as good as the way it has been treated dureing its lifetime and how its been maintained .some good some bad . along test drive is needed for faults to show themselves . good luck .

[Bungo]

You are right, for some unknown reason the PS box seems to be more of a problem on Fords than the Volvo.
If you go geartronic on the 2.4 the mpg will be higher.
As said, any gearbox will depend on how it's been treated and maintained.

[joeyboy130]

I have a 2009 s40 powershift 2.0d. just had the clutch plates replaced 3 weeks after buying the car which was £1800 but drives like a dream now. amazing gear changes and really good on fuel. its a lovely car and really liking it

[domhart10]

Originally Posted by btjtaylor

I wouldnt be completely scared of a T5 if a nice example came up for sale

I can defenitly recommend the T5, I put tonnes of mileage on mine and if you take it easy it can be good on mpg.

Take mine on long distance drives to the other side of czech republik and is defenitly not as bad as you would think.

I actually changed from a 2.0D S40 to a T5 S40 and you just have to sacrifice a bit of speed and road tax is a bit more ... but you get the extra power when you need it. Cant say much for autoboxes as I would only choose a manual.

[btjtaylor]

Originally Posted by joeyboy130

I have a 2009 s40 powershift 2.0d. just had the clutch plates replaced 3 weeks after buying the car which was £1800 but drives like a dream now. amazing gear changes and really good on fuel. its a lovely car and really liking it

Glad that you got your card sorted, if you dont mind me asking, what were the symptoms of these issue? Did you know about them on your test drive?