My XC60 is now 10 years old - comments and observations

[JGEM]

Realised today that my XC60 is now just over 10 years old based on its build date of April 2009

I've owned it for the last 5 years and put on approx 110,000 of its 180,000km in that time, mostly in Australia but now in NZ

Now that it is entering it's second (and most likely last) decade of its existence it's time to share a few observations and experiences.

Overall, I'm very happy with the XC60 and don't regret buying it. It's been a good safe and comfortable vehicle although it lacks the character of the 940GL wagon that we used when the kids were growing up. It's not as cheap to maintain as a Japanese car and I would probably be around $7000 or more better off over the last 5 years if I'd bought a boring Toyota SUV, but I don't smoke and I drink very little so I feel entitled to my Volvo vice !

The D5 engine is very agricultural and unrefined - I've grown used to it, but when I drive my wife's S80 with the 3.2L 6 cylinder petrol motor it makes me realise how rough the D5 is in comparison. This will be my first and last diesel.

2 of my children learnt to drive in the XC60 in Sydney and passed their driving tests in it. I bought some "training wheels" cheap from an XC90 for this period.

I've had a few of the common problems that appear in the forum.
Windowscreen leak (resealed by dealer, Volvo Australia refused to contribute)
Radiator leak (replaced at 5 years)
Swirl flap link and swirl flaps replaced
Rocker cover gasket replacement due to oil leak, done at same time as swirl flaps.
Logo on grill fell off
Upper engine torque rod replaced (rubber disintegrated on old one)
Window washer nozzles replaced
Assorted rattles, front door linings pop off clips
Power tailgate intermittently groans (fix with silicon spray lube)
2 batteries in last 5 years (original Volvo battery lasted for the first 5 years)

Most annoying ongoing issues is the whining air conditioning compressor for last 4 1/2 years. Research indicated that replacing the compressor at much $$ is often only a temporary relief so have learned to tolerate the noise.

Aux belt and tensioner have been changed twice under my ownership (and once prior in a recall), and also the timing belt at 160,000km

Brakes and discs - typically get 2 sets of pads for one set of discs. It will shortly be onto its 3rd set of discs under my ownership so is a heavy car on the brakes. I do my own disc and pad replacements to save on exorbitant dealer costs and have used a clone Vida Dice I got from Ebay to retract / reset the pads.

Tyres - about to fit my second set of new tyres (actually new tyres + wheels as they are dealer discards due to a new car customer upgrading wheels) so getting around 50,000km per set of tyres

It always amuses me about posts where people bang on about brakes pads and disc lifespans. The way i see it, these are not cheap vehicles to buy, so if you can afford one then you just have to suck up the maintenance cost. Learn to do your own brakes and more than halve the cost based on dealer pricing !

Upcoming work
Replace all brake discs and pads
Replace 4 tyres and wheels
Replace engine oil and all filters
Replace all shock absorbers
The above items I'll do myself
Replace auto transmission and Haldex fluids as still both original (will get done by a specialist)


Given that Volvo dealer labour rates approach those of some medical professionals the XC60 will only go to the Volvo dealer from now on for serious stuff that I cant tackle myself.

Also, insurance at the end of 2019 goes to 3rd party only, as it doesn’t make sense spending approx 10% of the car value each year for full comprehensive insurance

Money being no object I would upgrade to a petrol XC60 of the latest series but that wont likely happen for a few years so the plan is to keep this car going for another 5 years until it is 15 years old. The next vehicle after the XC60 will be another Volvo XC60 (or XC40) and it will probably be my last fossil fuel vehicle, before going full electric.

This forum has been really useful and the support / advice of other users appreciated. Reading about the problems / issues others have had prepares me for when it happens to me so it's not such a shock !

[Fat Magpie]

Well, my beast is late 2010 nearly 2011.

I am delighted with the car, the reliability and overall driving experience have been very good. Maintenance from an excellent dealer has been minimal.
I come from driving a Range Rover... a nightmare in terms of reliability. A Toyota Hilux 4x4, Trans Am, BWM 840 etc. and many more. My Volvo is a business purchase, and it earns its keep transporting me any equipment across Europe. Yes, the D5 is not a quiet engine bit when pushed it sounds excellent.

I keep looking an XC90's as a replacement but with the current hysteria concerning diesel engines and the push to the much more polluting electric vehicles I am holding back.

[double99]

My have 10 years too, 196 000km.
I love it. Car rides great.