XC40 D3 Reliability & Future repair issues?
 

Hi All,

I've just come across this forum and it looks very helpful! Especially for someone who's new to Volvo!

I'm currently considering a XC40 D3 which is around 3 years old and has c.40k mileage. I'm thinking of going for the diesel engine given I'll be doing regular motorway miles each week (roughly 100miles each way).

However, I have a few questions which I'm hoping someone can help me with please.

1. Given Volvo have stopped making diesel engines does this mean after a few years the D3 would be much more difficult to repair and and more costly?

2. Generally how reliable are the D3 engines? Especially after 5-7 years say? Have there been many reliability issues with the D3?

3. Would the T3 be better option in terms of reliability and cost of repair?

Appreciate any help on this!

Thanks

I’m reality the T3 is a petrol engine in a large body and fuel economy will be as expected, terrible compared to the diesel.

The diesel will be a torquey lump that pushes it along nicely and reliably.

I would have no qualms buying one.

Volvo has not stopped making diesel engines.

In terms of consumption - a mild hybrid will be more or less equivalent to an equally powered diesel - now a T3 will certainly be thirstier. Torque of the diesel is unmatched - so if this is something you want (towing?) - def a diesel then..

Reliability wise - DPF/EGR are something you won't have to worry about on a petrol- but other than that both petrol and diesel Volvo engines are equally complex. not necessarily unreliable tough.

Having switched from a diesel to petrol (mild hybrid..) myself (only reason was that diesel was no longer offered on an XC40 in France..) so far I've been happy with it. Consumption is great, love the fact that I don't need to mind where I buy fuel and what kind, and I must admit that the B4 engine feels like a V12 compared to a bit agricultural feel of the 4-cyl Volvo diesels.

What in practice is 'terrible compared to a diesel' in actual figures?

60% of the diesel

Or 50% of a diesel hybrid if they did one.

I can’t speak for the D3, but our T3 is averaging just over 41 mpg on day to day driving, and manages over 50 mpg on a long run.
We are more than happy with that

For starters I would question if that is reality or if that is off the trip computer. I do test every tank of fuel in my 2 vehicles and 1 constantly tells me I get 77MPG and in reality it is 70MPG and one constantly says 36-37 when it’s actually 32.

If those figures are taken of the computer I would be very cautious.

Figures can vary so I am careful what I say, however for me personally I would expect to get around 15-20 MPG more from a diesel than a petrol.

There is also the driving experience, Diesels drive beautifully with torque the second you start the engine rather than having to constantly Rev it.

You don’t hear of EGR and DPF issues with Volvos unless they are misused, they last hundreds of thousands of miles.

I myself would go Euro 6 diesel everytime.

My 25 year old redblock can get 41mpg on the motorway, so over 50mpg sounds possible.

Averaging 41mpg day to day is 70% better than me, but maybe lives right near free flowing A roads.

End of the day diesels kill people and the environment, whereas petrols are loved by the planet and wildlife (and god).

Birds and squirrels and hedgehogs nod their heads in knowledgeable appreciation, performing a medley of Fantasia on their tiny instruments as I drive past.
https://i.postimg.cc/1XysLKD4/smile.gif

The 2.3 940 has a 1,500kg kerb weight. The XC40 can be upto 2,100 kerb weight and also is genuinely high performance (even the D3 is near 1,700kg).

Add into that the aerodynamics
Of a brick and I should imagine 50mpg will be a rare thing indeed.

Don’t forget with my XC90 I can get 50 plus mpg on a flat stretch with downhills and no one on the road.

My tank best however is about 36 and normal about 32.