General: - Is the XC90 reliable?

gregg · Feb 4th, 2008, 20:57

Hi all, hopefully you can help, i'll keep it short! After years of unreliable 4x4's, do you think a used example would be reliable, I have about £17k to spend. I have done a forum search and havn't come up with any regular issues so looking good so far. Is there any year to avoid for problems etc?

All advice greatly received, many many thanks, Gregg (newbie!)

Bigstoo · Feb 4th, 2008, 22:20

put it this way, have you ever seen an xc90 on the hard shoulder? I certainly haven't. nuff said.

gregg · Feb 4th, 2008, 22:40

very good point! Anyone else???

RoyMacDonald · Feb 4th, 2008, 23:05

It is given 4 out of five stars for reliabily in the What Car guide compared to 2 stars for the Disco. There are the odd issues like rear wheel bearings failing early due to a design fault but I would expect with the price you are planning to pay that the cars you look at will have had ones that were going to fail replaced with the new design type by now. It's not a big job either.

The posts that come up here are mostly about poor tyre wear (often down to needing lazer wheel alignment), what tyres to use, (everyone seems to compain about the Conti's) what mpg, what oil.

There is some thought that maybe the T6 puts a lot of strain on the transmission but given the no. of cars around there arn't really a lot of complaints about problems with the T6 transmission.

My experience has been that my 2003 XC90 has been a lot more reliable than my Defender. Beautiful looking piece of kit as well.

Roy

ptt · Feb 5th, 2008, 00:21

Just paid 16500 for ours after looking for 3 months and being VERY picky:

2003 45K SE D5 Privacy glass side steps 2 year warranty met silver in excellent condition (drivers seat leather creased although this seems to be standard with little use)

Mister T · Feb 5th, 2008, 02:39

Greg,
I think it best that you avoid the XC90 T6 with the GM transmission .
Mister T.

gregg · Feb 5th, 2008, 22:47

Yes thanks, I would go for the D5 for the economy and I actually find diesels more relaxing to drive aswell!

PTT - you say yours has a 2 year warranty, i guess thats an insurance warranty is it - does it look any good on paper and did you buy it with the car or separately etc? Just interested as I would want to go that route aswell. Thanks

RoyMacDonald · Feb 5th, 2008, 23:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregg

Yes thanks, I would go for the D5 for the economy and I actually find diesels more relaxing to drive aswell!

PTT - you say yours has a 2 year warranty, i guess thats an insurance warranty is it - does it look any good on paper and did you buy it with the car or separately etc? Just interested as I would want to go that route aswell. Thanks

Take a look a Warranty Direct. They do give very good cover.

Roy

ptt · Feb 6th, 2008, 01:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregg

Yes thanks, I would go for the D5 for the economy and I actually find diesels more relaxing to drive aswell!

PTT - you say yours has a 2 year warranty, i guess thats an insurance warranty is it - does it look any good on paper and did you buy it with the car or separately etc? Just interested as I would want to go that route aswell. Thanks

1 year Volvo followed by 1 year insurance backed Stratstone policy. Whare are you based?

gregg · Feb 6th, 2008, 21:45

I'm down in Surrey near Kingston. I have seen Stratstone adverts alot on auto trader, they seem to be very competitive??

Feb 4th, 2008, 20:57	#1
gregg Junior Member Last Online: Dec 21st, 2023 13:02 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Surrey	Is the XC90 reliable? Hi all, hopefully you can help, i'll keep it short! After years of unreliable 4x4's, do you think a used example would be reliable, I have about £17k to spend. I have done a forum search and havn't come up with any regular issues so looking good so far. Is there any year to avoid for problems etc? All advice greatly received, many many thanks, Gregg (newbie!)

Feb 4th, 2008, 22:20	#2
Bigstoo New Member Last Online: Nov 19th, 2013 23:17 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Pontefract	put it this way, have you ever seen an xc90 on the hard shoulder? I certainly haven't. nuff said. __________________ Have: V70 T6 AWD To get: 19" LeMans Wheels in Black

Feb 4th, 2008, 23:05	#4
RoyMacDonald VOC Member Last Online: Feb 1st, 2023 11:27 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Rye, East Sussex View Photos By: RoyMacDonald	It is given 4 out of five stars for reliabily in the What Car guide compared to 2 stars for the Disco. There are the odd issues like rear wheel bearings failing early due to a design fault but I would expect with the price you are planning to pay that the cars you look at will have had ones that were going to fail replaced with the new design type by now. It's not a big job either. The posts that come up here are mostly about poor tyre wear (often down to needing lazer wheel alignment), what tyres to use, (everyone seems to compain about the Conti's) what mpg, what oil. There is some thought that maybe the T6 puts a lot of strain on the transmission but given the no. of cars around there arn't really a lot of complaints about problems with the T6 transmission. My experience has been that my 2003 XC90 has been a lot more reliable than my Defender. Beautiful looking piece of kit as well. Roy __________________ 1984 245 SE 1986 345 SE Auto 1991 940 TD Auto 2003 XC90 D5 SE AWD Geartronic2002 V70 D5 SE Auto 2014 V40 D2 SE Tiptronic Cross Country 2017 V40 D2 Cross Country Geartronic Pro 2015 XC60 D5 Polestar SE Lux Nav AWD Geartronic

Feb 4th, 2008, 22:40	#3
gregg Junior Member Last Online: Dec 21st, 2023 13:02 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Surrey	very good point! Anyone else???

Feb 5th, 2008, 00:21	#5
ptt New Member Last Online: Jul 19th, 2009 01:59 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Warrington	Just paid 16500 for ours after looking for 3 months and being VERY picky: 2003 45K SE D5 Privacy glass side steps 2 year warranty met silver in excellent condition (drivers seat leather creased although this seems to be standard with little use)

Feb 5th, 2008, 02:39	#6
Mister T Senior Member Last Online: Sep 12th, 2019 23:23 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Diego	Greg, I think it best that you avoid the XC90 T6 with the GM transmission . Mister T.

Feb 5th, 2008, 22:47	#7
gregg Junior Member Last Online: Dec 21st, 2023 13:02 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Surrey	Yes thanks, I would go for the D5 for the economy and I actually find diesels more relaxing to drive aswell! PTT - you say yours has a 2 year warranty, i guess thats an insurance warranty is it - does it look any good on paper and did you buy it with the car or separately etc? Just interested as I would want to go that route aswell. Thanks

Feb 6th, 2008, 21:45	#10
gregg Junior Member Last Online: Dec 21st, 2023 13:02 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Surrey	I'm down in Surrey near Kingston. I have seen Stratstone adverts alot on auto trader, they seem to be very competitive??

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