G/box: 4T65AWD: Advice: XC90 T6 Gearbox gone at 64,500 miles

[shockuk]

Hi all,

I hope I picked the right gearbox model in the post title.

Well after putting about 18,000 miles on the car myself over last 14 months I got the dreaded 'Transmission service urgent' and lost all drive while on the way to work.

Volvo assist dragged its ass back to my dealer who proceeded to tell me the good news and even after haggling the quote was still £4,100 for a gearbox from Volvo.

Long story short its with a local recommended gearbox specialist who will strip/repair/replace and get her back on the road for £2,520 inc. They include a 12 month / 12,000 mile warranty on the repair.

So my question is simple, I love the car, I've spent a fortune on it (LPG conversion, new tyres, better brakes, Dension for me iPod) but what would you all do? Risk a failure outside the new warranty? Trade it?

Very keen to know from others that have had the gearbox done if they had any problems after? If they kept it how it drove? Any new gremlins from the work?

Many thanks and appreciate any advice.

Cheers
Dan / suffering open wallet surgery!

[A lex]

I would expect to get about another 50k miles out of a refurbed box, although some poor buggers have had less.

[giw12]

I had my gearbox rebuilt about a month ago and so far so good....feels much tighter and sharper than it did before.

My car has done 150k and I love it to bits. As a 55 plate it's pretty much reached rock bottom in terms of value. I had 3 options when the box went:

1. Get a new car - not an option!
2. Another second hand xc90 - would probably spend 15-20k and find who knows what problems. At least with mine I've had it maintained properly so I know it essentially works.
3. Fork out for a gearbox rebuild, if nothing else it would be less than first year depreciation on another second hand one.

It's almost like I feel loyal to the machine, weirdo that I am!

[adieu]

Mine had its gearbox rebuild at 76k, now on 98k... But my rebuild came with a 2yr warranty.

Push them for 2 years...

[shockuk]

Thanks for the feedback, appreciate it.

Shame I didn't ask the question before selecting the gearbox chap...I could have haggled that in. Although that said the firm is one who's been in the local area and same unit for donkey's years so hopefully that means good things and they came recommended. I will have words when I collect and see what I can get (either extend it) or at the very least see what he will charge to properly look after the gearbox

Very valid points on depreciation and not knowing what your getting...I too love the XC90 its a lovely cruiser with room for the tip/family and generally anything I throw at it.

I see some threads about AWD Transmission fluids, is that not the same as the gearbox fluid? Just curious what others renew/replace as opposed to what 'Volvo' recommend?

Cheers
Dan

[dickdudley]

Its funny that we all have spent / are spending large sums of money on our T6s and yet we all still love them! Perhaps we should start a support group...

[Tannaton]

I would think carefully about that one - given the difference between a refurb and a new box fitted by Volvo is £1,500, and probably £500 of that is the difference in their Labour rates.

I would be tempted to get on the phone to some Indies and Volvo dealers to see what discount you would get on buying a new gearbox outright - just a thought.

What would the warranty be from Volvo? If it were a new car it would be 3 years or 60k.

[A lex]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

I would think carefully about that one - given the difference between a refurb and a new box fitted by Volvo is £1,500, and probably £500 of that is the difference in their Labour rates.

I would be tempted to get on the phone to some Indies and Volvo dealers to see what discount you would get on buying a new gearbox outright - just a thought.

What would the warranty be from Volvo? If it were a new car it would be 3 years or 60k.

Here in NL its one year and (unlimited miles) I think on any part bought from Volvo and fitted by the dealer.

[shockuk]

The Volvo dealer warrant 12 months even though it's supposed to be brand new. The other issue is of course the fact even IF I found a Volvo specialist chances are they would be somewhere else in the country and hard to sort. It's in and hopefully nearly done now. The guy said he has done 5 xc90s and had no reported issues after so fingers crossed.

I've decided that so long as she drives well again that I will stand by it, like the other chap said I would loose out in depreciation on anything newer