Want an XC90, which should I choose, 2010 or 2011?

[SeanM]

So there are 2 options I've found, the first is 2010 D5 with 87k miles. Upon my research though I've read that the piston rings are known to be bad on the 2010 models and therefore lead to excessive oil consumption but I'm not sure if this is just in the US or if it applies here in the UK? This one hasn't had the timing belt done but the dealer said they can arrange to have this done for me before sale. It has half leather seats which look immaculate, no heated seats though which is a bit of a bummer as I do love a heated seat. This car is only about an hour and a half drive away and I can trade in our car we're looking to replace.

Second option is 2011 which I'd have to fly over to get and bring it back on a ferry so it's not as straight forward as the first option but this car is also immaculate and has only 2 previous keepers. It has 100k miles and looks to be a higher spec with the sat nav screen, heated (full) leather seats, memory seat etc. it also has had the timing belt done already.

On my search I've just been avoiding the 2010 year but am I wrong doing this?

[Odysseus]

I'd be amazed if Volvo sold the D5 in North America, therefore anything the American forums tell you about XC90s are probably based on the 3.2 petrol, which would be much more common over there.

Frankly, you'd have to judge each car on its merits as they're both fairly old these days. Given the challenges involved, I'd go for the more local one, but take it to a specialist after you buy it to make sure it's shipshape. Anything you find you can then have a grown up conversation with the seller about cost of resolving, assuming the seller is a trader.

[poisondart]

depends on your budget of course but there are some quite nice local ones

https://www.usedcarsni.com/search_re...=&body_style=0

it'd be easier to deal with any post-purchase issues buying local.

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by SeanM

So there are 2 options I've found, the first is 2010 D5 with 87k miles. Upon my research though I've read that the piston rings are known to be bad on the 2010 models and therefore lead to excessive oil consumption but I'm not sure if this is just in the US or if it applies here in the UK? This one hasn't had the timing belt done but the dealer said they can arrange to have this done for me before sale. It has half leather seats which look immaculate, no heated seats though which is a bit of a bummer as I do love a heated seat. This car is only about an hour and a half drive away and I can trade in our car we're looking to replace.

Second option is 2011 which I'd have to fly over to get and bring it back on a ferry so it's not as straight forward as the first option but this car is also immaculate and has only 2 previous keepers. It has 100k miles and looks to be a higher spec with the sat nav screen, heated (full) leather seats, memory seat etc. it also has had the timing belt done already.

On my search I've just been avoiding the 2010 year but am I wrong doing this?

There no issue with piston rings on any 5 cylinder D5 that you need to worry about.

If buying D5 at that age - for for the 200PS version - has Gen2 gearbox also. The 2010 might be the older (Euro4) 185.