Which XC90 to go for? older or newer?

[Mike Stead]

Some advice appreciated here:

We are looking at options for getting an SE D5 auto, either

an older MY (02-05) 163bhp, 125k miles for around the £6-7k mark

Or going for a newer one - say 2006, 185bhp, around 80-90k miles for more like £11k.

My question is - if affordability isn't an issue, which represents better 'value'?

i.e. over the long run, would we be better paying more for a younger, lower-mileage car, newer design, more powerful engine etc? Would expensive maintenance items in the older car (another cambelt? brake discs etc) negate the lower purchase price over 3-4 years?

Any advice much appreciated.

Thanks

Mike

[keithC70]

The risk with buying any car, even from a dealer, is that you don't know for certain what's been done. Especially the cam belt. At least with a dealer you've got some warranty, but I usually buy at auction! For that reason it's usually the first job I do on buying a "new" car simply because the parts are relatively cheap compared with the cost of a new engine.

I just bought a '53 XC90 with 104k, one owner with full history! I contacted the owner to ask if the cam belt had been done. He assured me it had.

I was suprised because there was no sticker on the engine cover, so I then rang the Volvo dealer where he'd had his services done and they assured me that it hadn't been done, despite them reminding him, and despite the fact that he was prepared to spend £1200 just 2 months ago to sort out brakes and suspension bushes for the mot.

I bought all the bits from Rufe (cambelt, tensioner, serpentine belt, idler, and tensioner came to about £185) and when I took it apart - phew, close shave or what. It could have been an expensive error to rely on the advice of the owner!

[JimG]

The facelift models seem to have ironed out a few quality issues with some components, and as such tend not to suffer with AWD and wheel bearing failures.

[bigtree]

Given what i know and how much i have had to spend on our 53 plate it would be the facelift model for me everytime, worth the exta for the peace of mind knowing that many of the glitches have been sorted.

Pay for part of it on credit so you have someone with sufficient prospects for recovery just in case you need to resort the courts!

[Mike Stead]

Thanks guys

Q: when did the big change happen? Was it when they became 185BHP engines? Or was it a model year? i.e. can you find a 163 engine that is in a revised drivetrain?

[JimG]

I believe that the engine change came first. So you could get a 185bhp model with the old design/running gear.

I think it was the latter part of 2006 that everything else changed.

Easiest ways to tell the difference - The facelift models have:

1. Colour coded mirrors
2. Square reverse lights (see attachments. 1st picture is the facelift)

[RoyMacDonald]

Originally Posted by Mike Stead

Some advice appreciated here:

We are looking at options for getting an SE D5 auto, either

an older MY (02-05) 163bhp, 125k miles for around the £6-7k mark

Or going for a newer one - say 2006, 185bhp, around 80-90k miles for more like £11k.

My question is - if affordability isn't an issue, which represents better 'value'?

i.e. over the long run, would we be better paying more for a younger, lower-mileage car, newer design, more powerful engine etc? Would expensive maintenance items in the older car (another cambelt? brake discs etc) negate the lower purchase price over 3-4 years?

Any advice much appreciated.

Thanks

Mike

I haven't found the maintaince costs on my 03 excessive by any means. The 163bhp also gives better fuel consumption. However the 185 is a better more technically advanced engine and it always has the better more bullet proof 6 speed auto box.

The drive train only got the new uprated sleeve for 2006, it didn't get the modified chassis and larger angle drive until 2008.

My 02 163 bhp V70 auto has over 150,000 miles on it now and still as sweet as a nut, never needs more than a routine service but that's nothing for the 163 bhp engine so a diffcult choice. On balance I'd probably go for the 185 bhp, until I had to vist the petrol station that is. ;-)

[REDSHEEPRIDD]

[QUOTE=RoyMacDonald;1078784]The drive train only got the new uprated sleeve for 2006, it didn't get the modified chassis and larger angle drive until 2008.

Roy - I thought the new lighter chassis and damper revisions were on the MY 2010 models (big badge) - what improvements were made in 2008 and did this tie in with the lower emission/tax band (58 plate)?

[RoyMacDonald]

[QUOTE=REDSHEEPRIDD;1078834]

Originally Posted by RoyMacDonald

The drive train only got the new uprated sleeve for 2006, it didn't get the modified chassis and larger angle drive until 2008.

Roy - I thought the new lighter chassis and damper revisions were on the MY 2010 models (big badge) - what improvements were made in 2008 and did this tie in with the lower emission/tax band (58 plate)?

I'm pretty sure the new larger angle drive was fitted from the introduction of the V8. The chassis was modified to enable it to fit. I didn't know about the lighter chassis in 2010. I hadn't noticed a weight change so I must check and see how much weight it's saved. I can't tell you about the emission bands.