Looking to buy used xc90... ???

[BestGear]

Hi

I have been looking now since around November for a used xc90 manual D5.

Not many manuals- but I want one... and 50% of them on autotrader are miss-advertised and are infact autos.

Anyway...

The pirce I have been looking at is £12-£15k, and not precious over year of 163/185.... just has to be a clean car.

So far, every one I have seen, with miles from 50-130k all have lousy leather - with the drivers seat looking like a taxi even at 60k... or less. Comments? The only clean seats I have seen are on the S model...that that feels somewhat plastic.

Second - when does the DPF start to get fitted - was that with the 185 or did 163 get it too?

The infamous 2 wheel drive problem - if I get a vehicle up on a tewo post ramp and turn one wheel - should all three others turn too? What is the best way to test?

Thanks for the advice Guys.

David

[madnurse]

Hardly scientific but from what I have read:

parking front wheels on horrible wet grassy mud and pull away with rear on hard standing - have someone watch from outside.

[Rockhopper]

163 doesn't have the DPF

Easiest way to check AWD is with all 4 wheels on ground, grab driveshaft and try to turn by hand. If the splined sleeve is stripped, it will be easy to rotate all the way round. If there's no rotation (there is some slack anyway) then all should be ok, unless the Haldex press sensor in rear diff has given up the ghost - some do.

[owenfackrell]

I think the leather seats look a bit tatty quickly but i have used Autoglyn leather cleaner and care on mine and it transformed the look of them and made them look younger. As far as i am aware the s had cloth/vinal seats not leather.

[xcmarty]

im in a funny situation really, we bought a manual last year, not thro fear of auto or anything, just simply because the car was close to home and was in a very very clean original condition. i decided id take the manual instead of holding out for an auto as i didnt want to scour the length and bredth of the country for an auto and not find as clean a example.

im actually considering swapping for an auto really...sell it and then buy an auto. not sure what to do though as ive just changed all discs and pads and handbrake shoes and its running sweet as a nut! maybe id be buying a car with potentially more bother...and as for teh AWD ours was perfect in teh prolonged snowy spell at christmas time. i tested it in many areas/situations and it coped very well.

buy auto or stick with manual??? not sure
my brand new leon FR i specced with DSG as i love auto and my wife liked the tiptronic in the last audi a6 we had...

[BestGear]

Thanks for all the replies guys.

Glad to hear no DPF on the 163.... phew...

XCmarty - really want a manual - I assume it drives ok? Do you tow with it... how is the gearing? Shame you are not nearer - we could have had a deal!

Rockhopper - if on the ground and splines stripped, when I try to rotate the prop shaft, will the rear diff with the wheels on ground not prevent the shaft turning? I assume there is no rear LSD... ?

Leather - I have used leather dye before (like in Wheeler Dealers) and assuming you get the seat clean first (use meths) then ts abreeze to re-dye with a sponge. Shame they are so poor in the first place.

Thanks again Guys.

[Beavis]

Originally Posted by BestGear

Shame they are so poor in the first place.

my last 3 volvo cars over the past few years, a '98 V40 CD, '01 S60 SE, '06 XC90 Exec have never suffered from poor wear on the leather. My S60 and XC90 both have dark grey/black leather and both look as new and i only hoover them monthly when cleaning out the car. The V40 even when 11 years old looked reasonable. and i have 2 kids too. in normal use they show very little wear.

best to carry on looking for better condition cars, as if the interior has been neglected, chances are the mechanical side has too.

[xcmarty]

Originally Posted by BestGear

XCmarty - really want a manual - I assume it drives ok? Do you tow with it... how is the gearing? Shame you are not nearer - we could have had a deal!

to be fair its a decent enough setup. i considered the swap for a 185 geartronic again last nite and thought what the point? i barely drive it, its my wifes for the kid bus. and even if i do drive it do i want/need the 185 bhp? with kids in teh back the 163 is pokey enough.

the manual is fine too. the worst thing about the manual is the foot operated parking brake. requires you to re-program your brain for hill starts but its not a show-stopper. my wife has sussed it out no worries. yes its more difficult than an auto but as i say it not a nitemare.

all in a love it and at present i'll be looking to swap to a higher spec '09/'10 auto model in say 3-4 years time

yeah maybe we could have sorted a deal if closer...no worries couple of pics to wet your appetite. i l ike the lighter colour it seems rarer than the blacks/blues etc you see around

[BestGear]

Originally Posted by xcmarty

yeah maybe we could have sorted a deal if closer...no worries couple of pics to wet your appetite. i l ike the lighter colour it seems rarer than the blacks/blues etc you see around

Yes, looks great and in the colours that I would have as first choice.

I guess I will keep looking....

Fist choice would be silver and would be nice with towbar, front and read under bumper finishers...oh, and some side steps. Throw in a DVD player and the world would be rosey!

David

[Rockhopper]

Originally Posted by BestGear

Rockhopper - if on the ground and splines stripped, when I try to rotate the prop shaft, will the rear diff with the wheels on ground not prevent the shaft turning? I assume there is no rear LSD... ?

Rear Haldex is clutch driven so will freely rotate if splined sleeves stripped (ignition off of course..)