Petrol XC90 opinions?

[Bigjimknickers]

So after returning my XC90 I’ve decided I don’t really want any more finance, so I’d rather buy another outright for cash. Now this car is a 3rd vehicle so it’s use will be:
Dog walking
Shooting
Dump run
Camping.
Work truck
So I’ll be doing pretty short runs about locally for the most of its time, camping will be done in the summer about 4-5 times around the south so I’d like some reliability!
Now I’m looking at cars around 100K as I want to get an AA warranty with it to cover the first £500 of any breakdowns.
So what are the opinions of the lower cost petrol xc90s?

[Simon Jones]

Avoid automatic T6 at all costs unless you've got shares in a gearbox repair company.

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=163236

[Bigjimknickers]

Originally Posted by Simon Jones

Avoid automatic T6 at all costs unless you've got shares in a gearbox repair company.

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=163236

The one I’m looking at has a recent recon gearbox, plus I’m looking at getting the breakdown & repair cover, just a little added help towards potential mishaps.

[green van man]

Don't think £500 will go far towards repairing an auto box, mates merc cost him £1700 to repair the auto box when it played up.

Paul.

[S60D5-185]

Do NOT touch a T6. Honestly it will very likely end in tears.

A 2.5T would be a much better bet if you are looking at Petrol but ask yourself, why is it that T6's can be bought for so much less than all the others.

Lovely engine , chocolate gearbox .

[Bigjimknickers]

So steer clear even if the seller has proof of a recent new gearbox??

[Simon Jones]

In that other thread I linked, it was suggested that some cars have got thru 2 gearboxes in the space of 60,000 miles, so it depends if you are prepared to take on a vehicle which could potentially leave you stranded just when you need it most.

[4x4]

Originally Posted by Bigjimknickers

So steer clear even if the seller has proof of a recent new gearbox??

I enquired about a T6 a main Volvo dealer was selling with a faulty gearbox. The price was less than half what a good D5 would cost. I called my local auto box repair shop and was told to walk away. They had repaired dozens of them, a few they never saw again, but the majority were back a few months later with more problems. The only solution was not to repair but replace and if you’re lucky you might get another 60k miles out of it.

[wilssp2009]

I bought a broken gearboxed low mileage vgc t6 last year (was on its second gearbox when I purchased it ), had done lots of research online before even attempting it . So glad I did but can count on one hand on places that would even entertain the rebuild I opted for a place in Kent which purchased all components from a performance place in America (believe there is a link in an old thread on here somewhere on it )who specialise in the weak gearbox supplied in the t6 , I do have a list of components upgraded/modified parts and link to the supplier and the best bit came with a 3 year warranty ! Did cost a bit more than a standard rebuild but hoping to keep the car for some years I did a trade for my trusty v70 so it only stood me the price of the gearbox to be fair .

Car has been great and feel totally confident in the machine but did my research before the journey

[Rubinswine]

Sorry to say: my T6 (2005 built) has now done 104k miles, still first gearbox, no issues whatsoever. Smooth like ice in the sun. The engine is a dream. Internet history says that the 2005-2006 models do not have the "BIG" gearbox issues anymore.
Needless to say: for modern standards, that 4-auto gearbox is completely out of date and does not really make sense in a SUV.
But the engine..... fantastic.
Fingers crossed I stay lucky and goog** is right.