V70 D3 136bhp manual mpg

[pjuniper]

Hi,
I am considering buying a V70 D3 136 bhp manual model, and wondered if anyone can tell me what fuel consumption I could expect from it.

[tommyweaves]

Depends on what type of driving you do. Town driving can be well down in the 30s.

Medium to long journeys at 50-60 mph high 50s

Motorway cruises at 70mph low 50s

[pjuniper]

Thanks tommyweaves. That sounds pretty good for a 1.7 tonne car. Not as good as my V50 1.6d naturally, but for a large, heavy 2.0 diesel, I'm impressed. Looking at the engine specs, it looks like it is a low revving engine. I have seen on 2 separate web sites that max power is at 3,500rpm or 4,400rpm. not sure which is correct, but max torque seems to be between 1500-2250rpm which is low - good for economy. I'm not sure, but I think maybe this was Volvo's economy engine after the 1.6 diesel. I haven't seen when they stopped producing the 1.6 diesel to confirm that.

[pjuniper]

Also, just checked Honestjohn web site to see what issues the V70 has, and I found 2 entries in the Good/Bad section with major engine problems specifically with the D3 engine, both requiring a new engine at just under 100k miles for around £10k with a 40-50% contribution from Volvo. Are these engines as reliable as the larger 2.4 5 cylinder diesel (my sister has a 52 plate previous generation D5 auto still going strong)?

[tommyweaves]

News to me!

The D3 (163 or 136) is a short stroke version of the 5 cylinder 2.4l D5.

It's one of the most robust blocks you can get. Because it's 2.0l it sometimes gets confused with the 2.0D which is a 4 cyl Ford/PSA engine.

Mine's done 106k (MY2011 D3 163) and is sweet as a nut. Never even had a soot filter full message, just a boost sensor replaced recently.

[tommyweaves]

I wouldn't hesitate buying a 5 cylinder D3, as long as it has a full Volvo dealer service record.

P.S. the 2.0D had 136PS, which the later D3 also had, which adds to consumer confusion. The original D3 had 163PS, but that was later badged the D4! The last D4s then had the new 4 cylinder 2.0l Volvo engine.

[pjuniper]

Thanks tommyweaves.
Yes, I have just got my head around the various model changes with the V70 engines. The one I am looking at is the 5 cylinder D3 136, ie Volvo engine, not the PSA 2.0. I have the PSA 1.6 16v engine in my V50 currently, which is the reason I am wanting to change. Apparently the turbos have a tendency to go if an oil filter to the turbo gets blocked, usually if the wrong grade of oil is used. But I'm not keen to find out if ours is OK, especially as we plan to tow, having recently got a caravan.

The other thing I like about the D3 5 cylinder is that it looks like torque comes in fairly low, which would be great for towing.

I usually use an independent garage in our village, who is accredited for Citroen (so he knows the 1.6 16v well - too well for turbo failures). I would plan to use him to service the V70 as he services many makes. Do you think the V70 needs main dealer servicing?

[tommyweaves]

Originally Posted by pjuniper

Thanks tommyweaves.
Yes, I have just got my head around the various model changes with the V70 engines. The one I am looking at is the 5 cylinder D3 136, ie Volvo engine, not the PSA 2.0. I have the PSA 1.6 16v engine in my V50 currently, which is the reason I am wanting to change. Apparently the turbos have a tendency to go if an oil filter to the turbo gets blocked, usually if the wrong grade of oil is used. But I'm not keen to find out if ours is OK, especially as we plan to tow, having recently got a caravan.

The other thing I like about the D3 5 cylinder is that it looks like torque comes in fairly low, which would be great for towing.

I'd try and find a 163 if you're towing. Torque comes in very low and my D3 produces nearly as much torque as the D5 of the same model year.

[pjuniper]

We have a smaller caravan than most, an Eriba, if that means anthing to you. Weight is around 750kg, compared to most that are over 1 tonne, so the V50 1.6 is able to tow it OK, though not v fast up hill. On a steep motorway incline it will pull at up to 50mph. I'm not too worried about speed. The V70 136 max torque is 258lb ft vs 177 in the V50, so I would hope it would be OK. Also keen to keep costs low, and the 136 is £30 tax.

[Billggski]

I find Honest John unreliable for these reviews in my experience, it criticised the Jaguar x350 XJ for rust problems, but it's aluminium, and the Ducato 2.3 diesel for dmf problems, but it hasn't got one!
Amateurish.