Looking for V70 D5 Manual or Auto?

[JNMann]

I am looking to buy a V70 D5 around 2005/6. I really wanted a manual this time but there seems to be so much more choice in auto! I'm of the understanding that the MPG is significantly worse in an auto, is this true?

My mileage isn't huge so I appreciate it won't make too much difference across the year and autos seem cheaper at the moment, I assume because they're are more!

I do like autos but felt the manual would be a better drive.

Appreciate any advice please :-)

[oragex]

The tf-80sc Geartronic had it's lot of issues. Try to test drive the car until the transmission gets warmed up (30 min or so) to feel for any shifting issues

[reggit]

An auto will be around 3-4mpg less economical.

The auto's do have problems with changes if the gearbox fluid hasn't been maintained (volvo say sealed for life in most cases). If looked after they are smooth and can do a huge mileage. Find a good one and keep it maintained and it should serve you well.

There are good manuals around, but these as all modern cars can have issues around the clutch slave cylinder (in the bellhousing) and dual mass flywheel rattling.

[keithC70]

I, my wife, and both daughters all have D5s and all auto. They are all pre 185.

Once you've driven an auto or Geartronic, you wouldn't go back to manual unless perhaps for towing. Auto makes parking, reversing and pulling away so easy, especially when joining fast moving traffic at busy junctions.

They are so economical that the difference between man and auto is too small to worry about.

I've done over 7k in my current V70 and have averaged 54.3 according to the computer. It's obviously a bit optimistic but even so it's fantastic for a car of this weight and size.

I'm always careful to drive smoothly and anticipate to avoid sudden harsh braking or hard acceleration but I certainly don't drive slowly. I always keep tyre pressures up to reduce rolling resistance. Even so I enjoy the occasional high speed blast and my 207k engine pulls as well as any I've ever driven.

In my last car, an '05 S60 man, I got the best fuel consumption ever. i re-set the computer one day and drove from Swansea to Exeter and back at a steady 60mph and on return the computer was reading 82mpg!

Generally when you measure brim to brim and calculate real usage it comes out around 4mpg less than the computer.

Of the 22 Volvos I've owned I think only 4 have been manual but I realise many people prefer it!

[reggit]

Originally Posted by keithC70

Once you've driven an auto or Geartronic, you wouldn't go back to manual unless perhaps for towing. Auto makes parking, reversing and pulling away so easy, especially when joining fast moving traffic at busy junctions.

It's personal choice, my previous S60 was an auto (with a good box) my current V70 is manual. I much prefer driving a manual, even in traffic! I found the auto boring, my left foot was getting twitchy a lot of the time (if it wasn't stamping on the brake pedal). :-)

[JNMann]

Many thanks for the replies. I'd expected the auto to be a lot less economical so it's good to hear it's not that much at all. I guess depending on driving style there's very little between it, i.e. if you don't change gears at the right time in a manual it won't be as economical etc.

I do like autos so don't want to rule this out. I found the perfect car for sale, right down to knowing the garage that serviced it but as it was an auto I was a little unsure.

Currently driving a leased V40 D2-R Design and just haven't taken to it at all. I'm in the process of selling my Saab Aero which is an auto but obviously consumption on that is way less! Had an 850 T5 & 2.5 GLT back in the day and loved everything about them. Hoping the V70 may remind me a little of those days :-)

[4candles]

The D5 auto will be good on fuel because firstly, it diesel, but fundamentally the low down torque removes a large percentage of the deficit normally associated with auto's.

My 2.5T 210bhp petrol auto XC70 on the other hand, well lets just say it's torque is a lot higher up and the growl is worth hearing at 5k revs!

[JNMann]

Keep finding gearmatics but they have no appeal.

Also finding a lot more 185bhp, 163 would be adequate for me though. Is there a big difference between the two engine sizes on mpg?

[reggit]

Originally Posted by JNMann

Keep finding gearmatics but they have no appeal.

Also finding a lot more 185bhp, 163 would be adequate for me though. Is there a big difference between the two engine sizes on mpg?

The geartronic is a bog standard auto with different software and will run as an auto.

The Euro 3 163bhp D5 engines are in the prefacelift cars from around 2001-2005

The Euro 4 185bhp engine are in the facelift card from around 2005 (although there are some of the E3 lumps in the early facelift cars), there is also a 163bhp E4 engine, that will be badged 2.4D rather than D5.

The E4 engine is a bit thirstier than the E3, but has more complexities - eg swirl arm and a DPF, these need a good run once a week or so to keep them healthy.

[JNMann]

Thank you, that's great information. I've been reading up on the different models, engines and so on, all very confusing!

I've decided I want to definitely get a 163bhp E3 engine but would like the face-lift. I've found a few that fit the bill on 54/55 plate and will probably compromise by having an automatic. Hadn't considered Gearmatic due to the number of posts I found about issues with them but I guess there's a risk with anything so maybe best not to rule this option out?

Another compromise will be colour, no choice if I'm limiting myself to this particular engine! Mileage wise they seem to vary between 100k-140k which doesn't concern me. Found a few up to 170k but would prefer a little lower with good history.

Thanks again, much appreciated.