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XC90 '02–'15 General Forum for the P2-platform XC90 model |
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Potential pitfalls in budget Volvo XC90 ownership.Views : 2562 Replies : 30Users Viewing This Thread : |
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Jun 4th, 2020, 10:16 | #1 |
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Potential pitfalls in budget Volvo XC90 ownership.
Hi all,
I’m looking to buy an XC90 at the bottom end of the market. I have seen a number advertised between £700-£1500 all in various states of usability. What are the potential pitfalls at this end of the market other than the usual issues surrounding buying cheap cars! Are injector issues a big fix? Auto gearboxes? I need a 4x4 because of where I live and the space for dog, wood, tip trips. While the ability to carry 6 passengers may also be useful? Thanks in advance. |
Jun 4th, 2020, 10:36 | #2 |
XJS Driver
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These are complicated cars which can be expensive to fix; if you are able to use a diagnostics scanner (must be Vida) and are good with the spanners then you can reduce the cost of ownership considerably but even then the cost of maintenance is likely to run into many £100s if not £1000+ per year.
You are correct to ask about the autobox - these can fail at low miles if fluid not changed regularly (and even then no guarantee) so look for this in the service record, also the 4 wheel drive system on the older models prone to failure (lots advice on this forum), plus the usual diesel maladies including the DPF - chances are you will be looking at the older models which do not have one so this is a bonus! Good luck in your search. Last edited by XJSDriver; Jun 4th, 2020 at 10:52. |
Jun 4th, 2020, 11:08 | #3 | |
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Jun 4th, 2020, 11:55 | #4 |
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I bought at the lower end and am now trying to fix up one (see my recent post), I factored in a stage 0 tune to start with and then I’ll probably send the car for a full check (thinking AA or perhaps my local garage) to make sure I haven’t missed anything...
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Jun 4th, 2020, 11:56 | #5 | |
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Big difference AWD is electronically controlled drive to any of the four wheels, predominantly front wheels. Under normal situations, the XC90 is front wheel drive. The AWD system has no locking diffs, no low-ratio gearbox, and no driver-control over where the power goes. A real 4x4 has selectable 2WD or 4WD, with locking diffs, and a low-ratio gearbox. The driver can control what happens. So you cannot compare a XC90 with a "real" offroad 4x4 vehicle. But as an AWD, it is very capable. As for costs: Volvo is an expensive car when new, and aimed at the higher end of the luxury vehicle market. It never was a "budget" car, and thus parts and service are priced accordingly. If you do everything yourself and use 2nd hand parts, then it can become a "budget" vehicle.
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XC90 R-Design MY2009, Black Sapphire Metallic. HP-Sound, RSE, Nav, Tel, ParkingCam, BLIS, ParkingHeater, RestHeat, Removable Towbar, Summer: CRATUS 20x8 on Pirelli Scorpion Zeros 255/45, Winter: NEPTUNE 17x7 on Continental WinterContact 4x4 235/65. |
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Jun 4th, 2020, 12:28 | #6 | |
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Jun 4th, 2020, 15:42 | #7 |
XJS Driver
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You could be better off going for an actual 4x4 such as an older Range Rover; Wheeler Dealers worked on a mid 90s model and I was surprised at how plentiful second hand parts are plus you can upgrade some of the panels/lights to the later models. You could look for a V8 converted to LPG - nice!
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Jun 4th, 2020, 19:05 | #8 |
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Last Online: Apr 25th, 2024 19:48
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Better off with a Shogun or Pajero compared to a range Rover in my opinion
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“Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” – Mark Twain 😊 2007 Volvo XC90 D5 SE Geartronic |
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Jun 4th, 2020, 20:10 | #9 |
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Not the kind of car to be bought for cheap and run for cheap.
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Jun 4th, 2020, 20:13 | #10 |
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