XC90 - Will I be buying a right pain in the ass?

Matt B · Apr 2nd, 2009, 21:38

Hi,
With the arrival of my 2nd child I am in need of a family wagon and was thinking of Touareg originally, but happened to test drive an XC90 on a 54 plate (geartronic) and loved it. I thought the whole car was class.
I did think the gear change on the auto box was a bit, err uncertain but it didn't stop me seriously considering the purchase.
Anyway, it sold before I had a chance to buy and TBH I was probably the architect of my own downfall cos after reading some of the threads on here I dithered on making the decision to buy.

So, please tell me, amongst all the problems listed on here, is it worth it or should I just buy the T'reg *runs and hides*?

Thanks

Matt

NCS XC90 · Apr 2nd, 2009, 22:57

Matt, we are all individuals so will see the same situation differently. I also considered the T,reg but I prefer the look of the Volvo from the outside. I think the T,reg looks a bit fat around the middle (but as I say we will all see it different). I thin the T,reg inertia is nicer but the Volvo looks purposeful. My hart was always with the Volvo. The 7 seats whilst only ever going to be of occasional use to me was also a consideration. I guess the other factor was reliability – my farther had several Volvos without a problem all lasting a very long time without hassle.
I’m not sure I would have bought my car after reading many of the posts on here. Fortunately I bought it before reading the posts and have never looked back. If you are still interested I would take the information in these posts and use them to ensure you buy a good one.

gillberry · Apr 2nd, 2009, 23:04

Hi Matt , I like the look of the xc90 and with volvos renowned reliability am looking forward to buying a new one in a couple of months , however reading the forum is frightening until you realise people tend to go on forums to find out how to fix faults not to say how good there car is . Against that there is an interesting thread re xc90 serial numbers and when you think over 500,000 have been made then out of all those there must be a percentage with faults . how the dealers deal with these faults can quite often make matters worse but as with everything there is good and bad . I'm still getting an xc90 though .

4wheeldriver · Apr 2nd, 2009, 23:43

Hands up the one I bought has been a shed from within the 1st month and I've had to take some extreme steps to try and get it rectified due to VCUK management's apathy toward doing anything constructive to resolving the issues! BUT!!! The loan car I have just now (mine has been at the local dealers for over a week now without any word as yet to when its coming back) is great to drive. A totally different car altogether and I look forward to getting into it whereas I hate getting into mine wondering what todays problem will be. Would I buy another though!! NEVER!!! This whole episode has been an eye opener for me and the constant phrase "theres no fault codes showing so there isnt anything wrong" is wearing a bit thin now especially when you think back to the ETM problem in the not too distant past. A shame after 5 Volvos in the family from an R reg t4 to the xc90 but if I treated my customers the way Ive been then I would expect to lose customers hand over fist. A sad but true fact especially after the rest were all excellent but then I guess its all profits and margins now!!

Matt B · Apr 3rd, 2009, 00:06

Cheers for the replies guys.
I know the score with forums as I am a member of the TTOC and have over 1000 posts on the TTforum (please no hairdresser gags), I bought my TT before discovering the forum and I am pretty sure some of the problems with dashpods, snapping coil springs, coilpacks etc may have put me off at the time too. But that is 9 yrs old with 113k on the clock and I love it to bits.

Like I said, despite all the bad things I read I still really want one

And after driving one I now find myself checking out the ones I see on the road!

Can anyone tell me if all the geartronic boxes are a bit floaty with the gear change? or did it improve with the 185 version?

pdr944 · Apr 3rd, 2009, 08:19

dont forget most of the posts are from people who have some sort of fault and are looking for advice.they represent a very small percentage of xc90 owners.you dont get many posts saying "just thought i,d let you know all is well".the xc90 is a very good vehicle.its as good as any and better than most.if you can find a vehicle that never has any faults then let me know and i will buy one.we are all in the lap of the gods with cars.

mind ow ya go.

peter.

Frank · Apr 3rd, 2009, 10:04

Matt
I bought my 2005 XC 90 about 18 months ago because I liked the looks, size, seats etc. I did not check out this or any other forum before buying but did look at press reviews etc. I do lots of long distance motorway driving for work, thousands of miles towing a caravan and use it for carting grand kids on regular basis. Overall it does a great job and I have no major complaints.

Rear wheel bearings went at just over 3 years old but were done under warranty by helpful independent who sorted it with main dealer. It is the 163BHP and I have no complaints about the geartronic box. It works fine for my type of driving.

I cannot help with the comparison with VW but would recommend the XC90 for its flexibility and looks. Sadly some owners have had a bad experience but I expect there are many others like me that are happy with it.

Lzygo · Apr 5th, 2009, 16:18

Best car I have ever owned - head and shoulders above my old bmw. The new geartronic in the 2009 is smooth as anything. Go buy it you wont be let down!!! Also so great deals to be had - I saved nearly a third on my new xc90.

gillberry · Apr 5th, 2009, 16:57

Lzygo how did you get nearly a third off best I've seen so far is £5500 off .

Lzygo · Apr 5th, 2009, 17:15

I started with a quote from orangewheels and then started playing one garage/dealer off against another.

I knew exactly which model / colour / extras I wanted. I was not desperate (well as far as they were concerned anyway) they were to sell a car. The list price including all the extras I had - geartronic / winter pack / active headlights / colour / towbar / large wheels / even got 3 years service thrown in!! came to £37k - I paid £28k

It was a better than trade deal as I understand - the deals are out there if you can play a poker face.

Apr 2nd, 2009, 21:38	#1
Matt B New Member Last Online: Apr 13th, 2012 13:15 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: West Lancashire	XC90 - Will I be buying a right pain in the ass? Hi, With the arrival of my 2nd child I am in need of a family wagon and was thinking of Touareg originally, but happened to test drive an XC90 on a 54 plate (geartronic) and loved it. I thought the whole car was class. I did think the gear change on the auto box was a bit, err uncertain but it didn't stop me seriously considering the purchase. Anyway, it sold before I had a chance to buy and TBH I was probably the architect of my own downfall cos after reading some of the threads on here I dithered on making the decision to buy. So, please tell me, amongst all the problems listed on here, is it worth it or should I just buy the T'reg runs and hides? Thanks Matt

Apr 2nd, 2009, 23:43	#4
4wheeldriver Master Member Last Online: Jan 20th, 2013 20:28 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Aberdeen	Hands up the one I bought has been a shed from within the 1st month and I've had to take some extreme steps to try and get it rectified due to VCUK management's apathy toward doing anything constructive to resolving the issues! BUT!!! The loan car I have just now (mine has been at the local dealers for over a week now without any word as yet to when its coming back) is great to drive. A totally different car altogether and I look forward to getting into it whereas I hate getting into mine wondering what todays problem will be. Would I buy another though!! NEVER!!! This whole episode has been an eye opener for me and the constant phrase "theres no fault codes showing so there isnt anything wrong" is wearing a bit thin now especially when you think back to the ETM problem in the not too distant past. A shame after 5 Volvos in the family from an R reg t4 to the xc90 but if I treated my customers the way Ive been then I would expect to lose customers hand over fist. A sad but true fact especially after the rest were all excellent but then I guess its all profits and margins now!! __________________ BMW X5 3.0sd SE with more extras than the cast of Ben Hur!!!! Mini Cooper Worx

Apr 2nd, 2009, 22:57	#2
NCS XC90 Member Last Online: Oct 15th, 2018 21:19 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Warrington	Matt, we are all individuals so will see the same situation differently. I also considered the T,reg but I prefer the look of the Volvo from the outside. I think the T,reg looks a bit fat around the middle (but as I say we will all see it different). I thin the T,reg inertia is nicer but the Volvo looks purposeful. My hart was always with the Volvo. The 7 seats whilst only ever going to be of occasional use to me was also a consideration. I guess the other factor was reliability – my farther had several Volvos without a problem all lasting a very long time without hassle. I’m not sure I would have bought my car after reading many of the posts on here. Fortunately I bought it before reading the posts and have never looked back. If you are still interested I would take the information in these posts and use them to ensure you buy a good one.

Apr 2nd, 2009, 23:04	#3
gillberry VOC Member Last Online: Jun 1st, 2024 15:42 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: norwich View Photos By: gillberry	Hi Matt , I like the look of the xc90 and with volvos renowned reliability am looking forward to buying a new one in a couple of months , however reading the forum is frightening until you realise people tend to go on forums to find out how to fix faults not to say how good there car is . Against that there is an interesting thread re xc90 serial numbers and when you think over 500,000 have been made then out of all those there must be a percentage with faults . how the dealers deal with these faults can quite often make matters worse but as with everything there is good and bad . I'm still getting an xc90 though .

Apr 3rd, 2009, 00:06	#5
Matt B New Member Last Online: Apr 13th, 2012 13:15 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: West Lancashire	Cheers for the replies guys. I know the score with forums as I am a member of the TTOC and have over 1000 posts on the TTforum (please no hairdresser gags), I bought my TT before discovering the forum and I am pretty sure some of the problems with dashpods, snapping coil springs, coilpacks etc may have put me off at the time too. But that is 9 yrs old with 113k on the clock and I love it to bits. Like I said, despite all the bad things I read I still really want one And after driving one I now find myself checking out the ones I see on the road! Can anyone tell me if all the geartronic boxes are a bit floaty with the gear change? or did it improve with the 185 version?

Apr 3rd, 2009, 08:19	#6
pdr944 Senior Member Last Online: Jul 7th, 2009 17:18 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: middlewich	dont forget most of the posts are from people who have some sort of fault and are looking for advice.they represent a very small percentage of xc90 owners.you dont get many posts saying "just thought i,d let you know all is well".the xc90 is a very good vehicle.its as good as any and better than most.if you can find a vehicle that never has any faults then let me know and i will buy one.we are all in the lap of the gods with cars. mind ow ya go. peter.

Apr 3rd, 2009, 10:04	#7
Frank Junior Member Last Online: Aug 16th, 2010 20:45 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Lancashire	Matt I bought my 2005 XC 90 about 18 months ago because I liked the looks, size, seats etc. I did not check out this or any other forum before buying but did look at press reviews etc. I do lots of long distance motorway driving for work, thousands of miles towing a caravan and use it for carting grand kids on regular basis. Overall it does a great job and I have no major complaints. Rear wheel bearings went at just over 3 years old but were done under warranty by helpful independent who sorted it with main dealer. It is the 163BHP and I have no complaints about the geartronic box. It works fine for my type of driving. I cannot help with the comparison with VW but would recommend the XC90 for its flexibility and looks. Sadly some owners have had a bad experience but I expect there are many others like me that are happy with it.

Apr 5th, 2009, 16:18	#8
Lzygo xc90 Last Online: Mar 24th, 2010 18:27 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lincolnshire	Best car I have ever owned - head and shoulders above my old bmw. The new geartronic in the 2009 is smooth as anything. Go buy it you wont be let down!!! Also so great deals to be had - I saved nearly a third on my new xc90.

Apr 5th, 2009, 16:57	#9
gillberry VOC Member Last Online: Jun 1st, 2024 15:42 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: norwich View Photos By: gillberry	Lzygo how did you get nearly a third off best I've seen so far is £5500 off .

Apr 5th, 2009, 17:15	#10
Lzygo xc90 Last Online: Mar 24th, 2010 18:27 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lincolnshire	I started with a quote from orangewheels and then started playing one garage/dealer off against another. I knew exactly which model / colour / extras I wanted. I was not desperate (well as far as they were concerned anyway) they were to sell a car. The list price including all the extras I had - geartronic / winter pack / active headlights / colour / towbar / large wheels / even got 3 years service thrown in!! came to £37k - I paid £28k It was a better than trade deal as I understand - the deals are out there if you can play a poker face.

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