XC70: Information Confused.com

[dped]

I am new to the club but that is not what as got me confused. It's my current V70 is a 2003 163bhp model which as done 173,000 and I have owned for 4years still runs well although the DMF and clutch needs replacing. I never keep cars that long but I am so pleased with it I want another.
I am looking to replace it for a XC70 for 3 reasons 1) My mum will find it easier to get in & out of 2) Mine is an old Diesel pre DPF which are been targeted by the green brigade 3) I tow a caravan so the XC will be a better option.

Now for the confusion the D5 engine now comes with different bhp from 163 to 215 different mpg and road tax even on cars with the same bhp

What ever happened to picking a car just by the model and engine size.

Anyone have any problems with 2008 185bhp model £280 road tax

[apersson850]

D5 was for several years Volvo's top-of-the-line diesel engine, regardless of power rating. That's why you see them with all sorts of power levels, up to 240 today.

For the 5-cylinder 2,4 liter D5 engine, I'd say that those from 2012 and later usually are the most economical and most reliable.

[Semnoz]

Have a glance at Parkers (if you've not already done so):

http://www.parkers.co.uk/volvo/v70/estate-2007/specs/

You'll notice that the 'P3' variants of the D5 increase in horsepower/torque each time a newer version is released, and usually this also results in better fuel economy/lower road tax. I guess you could just say they're becoming more efficient, and Volvo could have either made the same engine produce even better fuel economy/lower CO2 (which doesn't sell cars) or kept the same fuel economy/CO2 and gone for the sporty option. I think they made a sensible compromise. I'm only guessing though - this is just my perception, but I've noticed other makes such as BMW doing the same with each iteration of a base model, e.g. the 525d, or more precisely, their big 4-pot diesel (I have a friend with a 2016 125d which is brilliant).

As per Apersson's comment, the best engine in a P3 V70 was around 2012 (June 2013 if you believe Parkers) at which point it can produce 30hp more than my 2008 engine and supposedly give out a lot less CO2. It'll obviously cost more for the newer engine though. I didn't have much money when I bought my V70 a year back, so had to settle with a first edition P3/D5. I'm still very impressed with the engine power and fuel efficiency, so feel I made good use of my money, even though I sometimes wish I'd saved more to get a newer model. I've already reached that point now where I've done so many things to repair/improve my car I'd be very reluctant to sell it unless I'd get more than I paid for it, hence feel like I'm stuck with it now - but that's another story.

[skippyfox]

The tax on these motors baffles me at times. Just traded my 14 plate xc90 d5 200bhp £295 a year to tax, for a 16 plate xc70 d5 220 bhp £190 a year to tax. Admittedly the 70 is a smaller/lighter bus, and when you stamp on the loud pedal things speed up very fast. More grunt less tax??

[TrueBlue]

I've had XC70s from the days when they were cheaper used (!) than the equivalent V70.
my previous one was a 2009 D5 with lots of bells and whistles, but there was an awful dead spot when you wanted just a little bit of urge at low revs. So I had it chipped by that very nice Peter at Charlwood Volvo. What a difference. I would have been happy to keep it but was seduced by a 2013 D5. Loads of urge, better than my previous car modified and of course streets ahead of the unmodified 2009 car. Bits and pieces inside are better as well.

It's obvious what I'd go for! You may find a shortage of used models around to the moment.