XC70: Engine P2 V70 D5 to P3 XC70-Which Engine?

[Judge]

Hi all, newly registered on the forum but been lurking on and off the past year.

Got a 2006 P2 V70 D5 a year ago and this was my first Volvo. I was apprehensive as I went from a well specced 2013 E Class Coupe. Long story short, I now a massive Volvo fan-absolutely love everything (nearly) about them.

So much, that even after having this great car a short time I'm considering upgrading to a P3 XC70. Would like a bit more refinement, tech and economy. I am fairly outdoorsy and have a big golden retriever so thats my justification for an AWD XC70 (at least that's what I'm telling myself).

Now, engine wise is where I become stumped. I know the D5 is great but I don't do any towing, road tax is a killer and would prefer something more economical-I'm aware of the 4 cylinder VEA engines having oil consumption issues and EGR problems but otherwise positively thought of. I do not want to take the risk with one of them.

I do like the idea of the 5 cylinder 2.0 engines but Im finding to pin down exactly what time period I should be looking at confusing-Can anyone help? Anything you could add about the 5 cyl 2.0 engines would be a great help-are there any issues to look out for or generally problem free?

Have been trying to search for info but two letter words not working. Thanks a lot!

Edit: If it makes any difference its an auto I have and an auto I want.

[GrahamBrown1]

The 5 cylinder engines as you probs know are extremely good. If you go for a euro 5 there are no swirl flaps which you may know was a common issue on euro 4 P2 cars.

On all the 5 cylinders the auxiliary belt, tensioner and alternator clutch pulley are certainly worth checking. They are not as robust as the system on the P2 cars but fine if you are hot on there maintenance.

I have the 2.0 D3 in an S80 it’s more than adequate power wise and great on fuel. We also have the 2.4 D4 in a 2012 XC70 which goes very well. Watch out for some early 2.0 versions of the XC70 especially if they are badged DrivE as these are only 2wd.

I don’t think you can go far wrong really which ever form you choose.

[Judge]

Thanks Graham, great info. Bear that in mind about the aux belt etc.

Yes I definitely do not want one of the early 2.0 FWD versions. They are PSA I believe?

I want as much of my Volvo to be Volvo as it can be.

Do you think there's much chance of the 5 cyl 2.0 feeling underpowered in a vehicle the weight of a XC70?

[GrahamBrown1]

There are no PSA engines in an XC70 just earlier P3 V70s and S80s but these are badged 1.6d and 2.0d. DrivE in an XC70 is still a Volvo engine.

With regards power, I would say not, my S80 flys and the XC70 won’t be much heavier and you mention you won’t be towing.

Me personally tho If I was say putting bikes on the roof and loading up with gear for weekends away all the time I’d probs feel better with the 2.4 .

Depending on your budget as well the later cars with the sensus system are a loverly thing. Approx 2012 and onwards

[agent006]

Had the 2.0 5cyl D3 in our old V60 and it was plenty. There's only a couple of hundred kg more to an XC70, so it's not going to feel awful.
Our 2013 XC70 D5, admittedly with a Polestar chip, feels properly quick.

However, it was really lacking in low rev torque, ours was a manual and I'd say an auto is essential with the 2.0.

[Judge]

Originally Posted by GrahamBrown1

There are no PSA engines in an XC70 just earlier P3 V70s and S80s but these are badged 1.6d and 2.0d. DrivE in an XC70 is still a Volvo engine.

With regards power, I would say not, my S80 flys and the XC70 won’t be much heavier and you mention you won’t be towing.

Me personally tho If I was say putting bikes on the roof and loading up with gear for weekends away all the time I’d probs feel better with the 2.4 .

Depending on your budget as well the later cars with the sensus system are a loverly thing. Approx 2012 and onwards

Ah well I did not know that! I assumed the engine range would follow the the V70 had-that's great news. I have found my engine range research fairly confusing to be honest.

That's a good point, fairly often the V70 is fully loaded-deals with it no problem-maybe the D3 would be fairly strained in that case- then the D5 might be a better option. Probably need to have a drive with both engines to get a feel for them. Options for available XC70s limited in Northern Ireland unfortunately.

I certainly would be keen on a sensus system-depending on funds I think 2012 is the area I want to target.

[Judge]

Originally Posted by agent006

Had the 2.0 5cyl D3 in our old V60 and it was plenty. There's only a couple of hundred kg more to an XC70, so it's not going to feel awful.
Our 2013 XC70 D5, admittedly with a Polestar chip, feels properly quick.

However, it was really lacking in low rev torque, ours was a manual and I'd say an auto is essential with the 2.0.

What sort of MPG realistically are you getting on a run in the D5 and whats the road tax?

Starting to think the D5 might be the way to go now. But they are thirsty enough in the auto V70 anyway. Be interested to hear your real world experience.

[agent006]

I get terrible MPG from every car I've ever owned, and the XC is on 160k miles, so your mileage may literally vary, but the computer says 36mpg and I've not reset that in ages. A whole mix of town, a road and motorway.
If you drive like a grown-up then I expect you could get over 40mpg fairly easily.
The V60 wasn't far off this from what I remember, low 40s mpg, was a bit disappointed with it.

[Dazza95]

Having had a quick look on Autotrader, it would seem that the 5 cylinder D3 models are FWD; so if you are want AWD then your only options are the 2.4 D4 and D5 engines. Happy to be corrected as I’ve not looked into this in any more detail.

[Andmurph]

My D5 manual V70 returns a pretty decent 52mpg on my 70 mile commute. Mainly motorway. Around town and short trips it’s nearer 40mpg. The computer is far from accurate. I check occasionally when I fill up and do the maths.