To buy or not to buy

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by T5R92011

The Euro 4 D5 185 is crap on fuel, especially around town.

Old one blows it out of the water for economy, and that matters a lot with a diesel.

A couple of years ago I ran a 2008 XC70 AWD D5 (185 E4 engine) alongside my 2003 XC90 163, doing the same journey from Beverley to Leeds every day down the M62 the XC90 did 2 MPG better in spite of weighing 400 Kg more and over twice the mileage on it.

[prjames]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

- Did I mention £565 car tax on post Feb 2006 185 BHP models? All 163 BHP E3 XC90's are £330 - they 185's are highest tax (which is down to the government changing policy rather than the engines but it is wrong to say the 163's are the most expensive).

Not sure if different years have anything to do with the tax but my old 59 plate D5 185 BHP was £330 as is my "new" 14 plate D5 200 BHP.
The 14 plate is noticeably faster and smoother with lots less downshifting.
Also averaging 30.8 MPG at moment so better economy on the newer model. And with the current situation I haven't been on any long runs yet.

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by prjames

Not sure if different years have anything to do with the tax but my old 59 plate D5 185 BHP was £330 as is my "new" 14 plate D5 200 BHP.
The 14 plate is noticeably faster and smoother with lots less downshifting.
Also averaging 30.8 MPG at moment so better economy on the newer model. And with the current situation I haven't been on any long runs yet.

The 200 BHP engine is much better than the 185 for efficiency but still likes the refinement of the early 163. The gearbox is the same on both cars.

Volvo did get the emissions down enough eventually on the 185 engine to reduce the tax, manual models just stayed under the heavy bracket.

[Dastardly Diesel]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

A couple of years ago I ran a 2008 XC70 AWD D5 (185 E4 engine) alongside my 2003 XC90 163, doing the same journey from Beverley to Leeds every day down the M62 the XC90 did 2 MPG better in spite of weighing 400 Kg more and over twice the mileage on it.

Twice the mileage is probably why it did 2 mpg better. Less internal friction. My current 185 with 141k is giving about 15% better than our previous 163 with similar mileage, which is a more valid like for like comparison.

Just simple physics at play there folks.

But my advice to the OP stands. Why swap a known good car, for a car that's already proven very troublesome with a classic 163 fault and which has already costs thousands to keep on the road?

I'd sooner still have the 200, even better economy, better torque, generally better reliability, but seeing as I have my Dad's cast offs and don't pay for them myself the 200 won't ever be on my driveway. The series will instead run (X5) 163, 185, T8. In addition, the chances of the OP being able to find a 200 for the value of a 16 year old Audi are non existent, but he might just find an earlier 185 for similar dough.

[Javaman365]

Originally Posted by Thinkingofaxc90

Afternoon all!!

IShould I steer clear or could it be a good one? Current owner has only had for couple months. Can anyone tell me what I really need to look at please? Has no proof of cambelt but offered to give me 200 for that. Any advice please?

Sounds like they want a nice reliable Audi in return for a shed, tbh.
The Volvo sounds very leggy, and that they've only had it a few months rings alarm bells for me. Or they're a trader looking to offload a problem child and turn a quick profit on yours to boot.
Walk away, plenty of decent choice out there.
I'd personally up your budget and look for a 200bhp XC90 if you're dead set on an XC90. Having chosen one over a 185, it's a lot more 'urgent' when on the move.
Do bear in mind though it will be substantially softer and less involving to drive than the Audi.

[Moose Test]

Originally Posted by Javaman365

that they've only had it a few months rings alarm bells for me

^^ That.

[skippyfox]

Agree with Javaman and Moosetest. Why get shut of the car after a few months? Me thinks you could end up with a lemon. There are plenty of decent XC90's out there for sale. I wouldn't jump at the first one to come along. Good hunting.

[reggit]

If someone is offering to do a swap on a for sale advert, definitely smells like a heap of trouble.
If you're not desperate, I reckon there'll be a glut of sale adverts once this lockdown is over as they can't really class changing a car for the sake of it as essential.

[Thinkingofaxc90]

Really appreciate the input from you all. Think I will steer clear of that one and look for another.

[ianu]

High mileage shouldn't be a problem on any XC90 if it's been maintained properly (not necessarily by a main dealer - but someone who knows these vehicles)
I've got a 163 manual, had it from new and has just crossed 307k. Apart from genuine routine maintenance items (brakes,clutch,front suspension arms/bushes,alternator,cam belt, tyres- and finally the crankshaft seals at 305k), the only recurring issue that is a weakness on these earlier ones is the AWD spline shaft/bevel gear. Never had an injector issue and I'm still on the same turbo - maintenance is king. Auto boxes on earlier cars had a tendancy to suffer from a bit of lag on take off? Don't know if this was sorted or not or if it affected all 163 cars...someone might add their view on that
As mentioned, you can easily check the AWD by reaching underneath (OK, crawling) and trying to turn the prop shaft - it should not turn. If it does - plus or minus a hundred or so, budget a grand to get it fixed. Irrespective of what others might suggest, unless you're doing it yourself (think carefully 1st), there are potentially several issues that may subsequently need dealing with:
Spline shaft toast - can be replaced. If the bevel gear shaft is toast as well, then it's a replacement bevel gear too. While your there, if it's a manual - think about doing the clutch. While your there - think about having the core plug done if it hasn't already been done (even if it has - it's pennies).
Mine is worth absolutely nothing really, but it is the best family vehicle I've had by a country mile... and it's not too shabby off road either :-)

As mentioned, there is plenty of choice out there, anyone trying to pass one on quickly I'd run a mile.
Cheers
Ian.