Noob:Differences between 2004 XC90 D and D5

[Dexter22]

Hi all

I am a noob, I am looking to buy an XC90.

What are the differences between a D and a D5. Also are there some that are semi-auto like a smart? Surely they are full automatics right?

Also any other pointers will be much appreciated.

thanks

[SwissXC90]

You can buy XC90s with Manual and Automatic gearboxes. the Automatic boxes also have a Manual mode.

D5 means Diesel, 5 cylinder.

[john langrick]

Hi, I think all of the older (pre 14 at least) are d5, i.e., five cylenders,

The semi automatic is a feature where you can move the gear knob to the left and the gears only change by moving the lever up and down. The gear you are in is indicated in a box under the tacho on the dash. Moving the knob to right re selects auto. Such use might be to keep the gearbox in one gear for towing up a hill, but it is now no longer automatic and in this mode has the potential to stall if revs to low, or overev if too high. You need to listen to the engine or carefully monitor the tacho. This gearbox is also called 'geartronic'.

As said there is a manual gearbox option.

Mine is geartronic and after a life of manual cars, I have to say makes you very lazy and laid back!

Welcome and good luck.

[Moose Test]

Originally Posted by Dexter22

Hi all
Also are there some that are semi-auto like a smart?
thanks

No. The smart uses a manual gearbox and clutch in conjunction with automated selector/clutch actuators. Mechanically, it's a manual. The XC90 auto is an automatic gearbox in the true sense, based on the torque converter principle.

Originally Posted by Dexter22

Hi all
Also any other pointers will be much appreciated.
thanks

With respect, you need to know a lot more than you currently do if you're not going to risk buying something which will be very costly for you to repair a few days down the road. Everything you need to know has been discussed hundreds of times on this forum (it is, in my opinion, the most useful marque forum I know of), so be kind to yourself and spend a weekend here reading up before going to see something.

Here's a starting point: https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=319549

[ian ferguson]

Hi I have to agree with that, I have looked on other marque forums for friends and just give up.

[Dexter22]

Hello all

Grateful for your help.

I still don't get what the difference between D5 and D is, I can see both D and D5s available online with 163bhp and from the same year. Are they different models?

thanks

[TruckbusUK]

Originally Posted by Dexter22

Hello all

Grateful for your help.

I still don't get what the difference between D5 and D is, I can see both D and D5s available online with 163bhp and from the same year. Are they different models?

thanks

Sellers/vendors describing something incorrectly ... you will also find 160bhp, 165bhp,180bhp, 187bhp .... all wrong, dont worry about it, all mark1 diesel XC90's in the UK are D5's ... 5cylinder diesels ... any other descriptions are poorly advised descriptions.

hope it helps.

[Rocinante]

Originally Posted by TruckbusUK

Sellers/vendors describing something incorrectly ... you will also find 160bhp, 165bhp,180bhp, 187bhp .... all wrong, dont worry about it, all mark1 diesel XC90's in the UK are D5's ... 5cylinder diesels ... any other descriptions are poorly advised descriptions.

hope it helps.

Parkers seem to indicate that there are various versions/specifications available, including both D's and D5's, and that they came with Power outputs at 163bhp, 182bhp, 185bhp & 197bhp.

https://www.parkers.co.uk/volvo/xc90/estate-2002/specs/ (executive trim shows the 4 engine labels/power outputs on the one spec, with the 2.4D showing 163bhp and if you select the 2.4D5 it shows it as 163bhp & (06)182bhp )

Granted I believe they are all pretty much the same 5 cylinder engine, in different states of tune but they are all not identical if that is what you are suggesting. (but I think you may just be suggesting that they are deviations in the ads from the quoted output)

Easiest way is you can put the reg in Parkers of a vehicle you are interested in and it will give the spec.

https://www.parkers.co.uk/car-specs/

I also have issue with the suggestion that D5 means 5 cylinder diesel.(Yes all that generation of D5's are 5 cylinder diesels) but does that mean Volvo's D2's are 2 cylinder and D3's are 3 cylinder. Also the current D5 has 4 cylinders.

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by Dexter22

Hello all

Grateful for your help.

I still don't get what the difference between D5 and D is, I can see both D and D5s available online with 163bhp and from the same year. Are they different models?

thanks

Ignoring petrol versions, which are not very common, all Mk 1 XC90's in the UK from inception in 2003 until end in 2014 where badged as D5's with the one exception of a short cutover period from June to September in 2005 with 2006MY cars where manual models with the newer 185 BHP Euro 4 engine were badged D5 and Automatic (Geartronic) versions still had the older 163 BHP Euro 3 engine and were badged 2.4D. When the updated engine came to the cars with automatic gearboxes - they were badged D5 again.

Unlike some other Volvo models - only Volvo 5 cylinder diesel engine were fitted, there is no 2.0D version with a Ford lawn mower engine in.

So to answer your question in a different way - the 2.4D is a Euro 3 automatic car which is exactly the same as a D5 that was being sold a few months earlier. A few months later - the automatic cars had a D5 badge again but with the newer 185 BHP Euro 4 version and a 6 speed automatic.

[wynnj]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

Ignoring petrol versions, which are not very common, all Mk 1 XC90's in the UK from inception in 2003 until end in 2014 where badged as D5's with the one exception of a short cutover period from June to September in 2005 with 2006MY cars where manual models with the newer 185 BHP Euro 4 engine were badged D5 and Automatic (Geartronic) versions still had the older 163 BHP Euro 3 engine and were badged 2.4D. When the updated engine came to the cars with automatic gearboxes - they were badged D5 again.

Unlike some other Volvo models - only Volvo 5 cylinder diesel engine were fitted, there is no 2.0D version with a Ford lawn mower engine in.

So to answer your question in a different way - the 2.4D is a Euro 3 automatic car which is exactly the same as a D5 that was being sold a few months earlier. A few months later - the automatic cars had a D5 badge again but with the newer 185 BHP Euro 4 version and a 6 speed automatic.

An excellent summary, and to check which engine is fitted to any potential car you're looking at, the 163 bHp Euro 3 have black engine covers and don't have a Diesel Particle Filter (DPF) fitted, the 185bHp Euro4 engines have a silver grey engine cover and are fitted with DPFs.