Late XC70 Buying (ULEZ Compliant) - Anything to look for?

[CosmicBike]

Having had a fair share of Volvo's over the years, and currently still running one of them, I'm looking to replace my current dog carrier Galaxy with an XC70. Being based just outside of the ULEZ, and having to drive into it for work, it must be compliant, so limits my choices to a late 2015/16 D4 or D5, unless I fancy the T6 (yes, but no to the fuel consumption, the R is bad enough). I know the 5 cylinder diesel is a solid, proven lump. What I'm not familiar with is the AWD system, is the Haldex Gen 6 OK? Likewise the auto 'box, from personal experience the AW55 was rubbish, but what of the TF80? Anything else I need to be on the lookout for?
Ta

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by CosmicBike

Having had a fair share of Volvo's over the years, and currently still running one of them, I'm looking to replace my current dog carrier Galaxy with an XC70. Being based just outside of the ULEZ, and having to drive into it for work, it must be compliant, so limits my choices to a late 2015/16 D4 or D5, unless I fancy the T6 (yes, but no to the fuel consumption, the R is bad enough). I know the 5 cylinder diesel is a solid, proven lump. What I'm not familiar with is the AWD system, is the Haldex Gen 6 OK? Likewise the auto 'box, from personal experience the AW55 was rubbish, but what of the TF80? Anything else I need to be on the lookout for?
Ta

TF80 is a good transmission. The transmission fluid does need to be changed though to prolong longevity. If the car you buy has no evidence of a fluid change, then get one done at your earliest convenience.

The only thing I would say about the TF80 transmission is it can be a little sluggish to react, like it doesn't know what gear it should be in. This takes a lot of getting used to, but reliability wise, its decent.

Its also common for the transmission to be slow changing gears first thing on startup (it takes a while to get warm). When it does warm up, the gear changes should be smooth. You shouldn't feel any bumps or jolts. This is the reason why I'd suggest going on a decent test drive, especially in this colder weather to see how the transmission behaves.

Depending on the mileage, a cam belt replacement may also be due (not by year necessarily, but by miles). Cam belt intervals on the D5 is 10 years or 108,000 miles (whichever comes first) and its less on the D4 (90,000 I think???) As I say, the one you buy may not have that mileage on it yet, but Volvo's are known to have big miles on them being motorway cruisers. Just keep in mind that a cam belt may be due, or may be due soon , depending on what you buy. It would be a bonus if it was already done though, with an Invoice/stamp to prove it.

[Dazza95]

I believe the Haldex Gen 5 is fairly reliable on that age of XC70. It benefits from a from a fluid change every 50k miles or so. Check if it’s been done and if not, budget to get it done for peace of mind. It’s a fairly simple procedure:

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=304136

I was in a similar boat to you last year and found it very difficult to find a Euro 6 XC70 with the 5 cylinder diesel in the spec of my choice. It was well worth the wait though and I really like mine. Good luck with your search.

[yostumpy]

Regarding the comment above about the auto box being sluggish, and not sure what gear it should be in, well I've have my 2016 Euro 6 D5 for nearly 2 1/2 years, and I've come to understand it more. When cold especially, the gearbox seems to go to 2 >2 1/2 >3 >3 1/2 >4, but this is the torque converter, splitting the gears, and sometimes it feels like a slipping clutch. So now, when its cold for a few miles, I put it in sport mode, and this allows the engine / box to warm up quicker, as it locks out in each gear , and I change manually if need be. By far the best option.

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by yostumpy

Regarding the comment above about the auto box being sluggish, and not sure what gear it should be in, well I've have my 2016 Euro 6 D5 for nearly 2 1/2 years, and I've come to understand it more. When cold especially, the gearbox seems to go to 2 >2 1/2 >3 >3 1/2 >4, but this is the torque converter, splitting the gears, and sometimes it feels like a slipping clutch. So now, when its cold for a few miles, I put it in sport mode, and this allows the engine / box to warm up quicker, as it locks out in each gear , and I change manually if need be. By far the best option.

This is normal - it's because when the engine and gearbox are started from cold, the shift points are raised and torque converter lockup is disabled for a short period, before being enabled but with higher thresholds. Hence when shifting up, the revs will rise more, and then fall when TC lockup occurs - effectively splitting the gears as you say. Normally on Gen2 TF80's on the P3 platform, the TC will be locked up as you shift when driving normally.

This is to give the fastest possible warmup cycle for the engine and gearbox fluids.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by yostumpy

Regarding the comment above about the auto box being sluggish, and not sure what gear it should be in, well I've have my 2016 Euro 6 D5 for nearly 2 1/2 years, and I've come to understand it more. When cold especially, the gearbox seems to go to 2 >2 1/2 >3 >3 1/2 >4, but this is the torque converter, splitting the gears, and sometimes it feels like a slipping clutch. So now, when its cold for a few miles, I put it in sport mode, and this allows the engine / box to warm up quicker, as it locks out in each gear , and I change manually if need be. By far the best option.

Sport mode is an option in the newer models, but not on the older ones. Sadly, the only thing I can do is change manually or just take it easy until the transmission warms up (which I always do).

Even when it warms up, the transmission still doesn't know what gear its in and there's a delay before it reacts. Pulling out from roundabouts is a perfect example, or accelerating from one when there's a suitable gap in the traffic... It can catch you out if you aren't careful.

The TF80 transmission on these cars is showing its age now I think (it takes a bit of getting used to). The 6 speed transmission is a disadvantage to the P3 platform, in my honest opinion.

[Adderross94]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

Sport mode is an option in the newer models, but not on the older ones. Sadly, the only thing I can do is change manually or just take it easy until the transmission warms up (which I always do).

Even when it warms up, the transmission still doesn't know what gear its in and there's a delay before it reacts. Pulling out from roundabouts is a perfect example, or accelerating from one when there's a suitable gap in the traffic... It can catch you out if you aren't careful.

The TF80 transmission on these cars is showing its age now I think (it takes a bit of getting used to). The 6 speed transmission is a disadvantage to the P3 platform, in my honest opinion.

Yep kev get what you mean with the tf80 about the hesitation kickdown on full throttle can be a good few seconds before it decides you want full power, but I still think it’s a good autobox compared to the 5 speed auto I had in my c30 t5 that was my biggest regret with that car and ultimately why I sold it would love another some day with the 6 speed manual, but compared to the 5 speed the tf80 6 speed is a much better drive

[Stu B]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

Even when it warms up, the transmission still doesn't know what gear its in and there's a delay before it reacts. Pulling out from roundabouts is a perfect example, or accelerating from one when there's a suitable gap in the traffic... It can catch you out if you aren't careful.

I agree but have to say mine was much improved by the latest TCM software update at Volvo which I asked them to do whilst applying the Polestar upgrade. It doesn’t drop into neutral at a stop with the brake depressed now, or certainly doesn’t have a delay going back into first gear when you let off the brake like it used to previously. You did used to have to drive around that pulling onto roundabouts from a standstill as you mention.

[yostumpy]

Agree with some of the above, but the OP was talking about late model, ulez compliant Euro 6 models. It’s a big wafty car, and it bowls along nicely in D, and yes it won’t kick down in an instant, BUT those with ‘sport mode’ will appreciate it is exactly that. Completely turns it into a 220 bhp AWD animal, especially at traffic lights , roundabouts, and overtaking. I did wonder if the ‘sport mode’ actually alters the engine ecu in any way, sort of temporary Polestar. My goodness does it shift. First time I tried it at a roundabout, I was almost ‘in’ the roundabout in a jiffy, I forgot to turn the steering wheel quick enough, the power delivery is instant. These 2016 models must be the absolute best of the bunch. Mine has winter pack, yesterday ice on windscreen etc, so I jumped in, started the car, pressed the button twice, once for electric windscreen defrost, and twice for thrice power windscreen blower, jumped out, wiped all the other windows clear of mush, and by the time I had jumped back, the heated seat was toasty, and the windscreen completely clear. I just love it more every day.

[Kev0607]

Newer D5 models are far more powerful than the older ones for sure. They have much higher bhp and twin turbo's, plus a more refined engine from what I've heard.

The older ones had single turbo's and either 163bhp or 185bhp in the D5 variant.