V70 2.4 auto (140bhp) towing 1500kg caravan?

[mcouchard]

Hi all,

Not been on here for a while but looking to replace the Sportage so I can get a bigger caravan and potentially return to Volvo ownership after a 5 year hiatus. There is a 38K (that is not a typo) 2002 V70 for sale locally very exp but very low mileage.

To clarify the caravan miro would be 1333KG and 1530KG MPLW, I never run fully loaded ever though awning in the car.

However looking at the specs whilst it is an 83% match for the van I want to purchase, I have read some say the power and torque can be lacking does anyone have any experience?

I know many will say I should get a diesel but I want a low mileage one, I don't like diesles and the associated costs, I live in a city so ethically I won't drive a diesel plus don't want to have a car that could be banned in a few years from cities.

Thanks,

[oragex]

A car with these low miles certainly deserves attention. In some way, the car is still almost new. However, I would keep a few things in mind. The transmission in these was more fragile - it was upgraded in 2003. You will need to have the software checked to remove the 'neutral shift' feature, and also to make sure the B4 servo cover was already replaced. Obviously, also a fluid replacement (3309 type) because of the towing.

As for the capacity, it is indeed at the very limit for this vehicle, especially if you add passengers and if you have to go even on slight inclines. The 2.4 non turbo gasoline engine has almost no torque under 4000 rpm. It's still a quite powerful engine to my taste, but it lacks torque which is what you need when towing. I feel comfortable driving mine on motorway, but at speed it lacks even more torque, perhaps because of the gearing. I'm sure it will tow 1500kg at 60mph, but I wonder if it will stay in the 5th speed, or rather in the 4th one which will keep the engine perhaps close to 4000 rpm. Even when downshifting, you don't really feel a strong torque on this engine. But maybe my engine is a little tired, a newer one may be pulling better.

Side note, I believe the electrical connector for towing is hidden somewhere inside the trunk, left side cover, on the thick harness going to the REM module

[mcouchard]

Thanks for that much appreciated, it has a towbar fitted by Volvo from new, with the rear spolier, picnic table and other extras, it was a really lovely example some rattle from the exhaust (I think) over rough surfaces though.

I made an offer of £3000, which I think is fair considering a 41K mile XC with FVSH sold for £3500 last month on ebay and this was just a 2.4 SE, but he wants more. Which, is fair enough, but it is still an 18 year old car so I left it as he has my number if he wants to negotiate in future.

From what you say though it sounds like I may need to look for a newer 170bhp one though or the Turbo, I will keep an eye out. I don't really want to be near the limit when towing, had this before with a Citroen Picasso on our current much lighter van 1100KG MPLW, after only 4 UK trips it ended badly for the Picasso (headgasket failure), hence the current Kia Sportage.

[oragex]

There is not much difference between the 140 and 168hp engines. The 140 is a detuned 168 but it seems it only looses hp at higher rpm and can be chipped to jump to 168. In fact, mine I was talking about is the 168 version sold in the US. Both engines have about the same torque, in fact the 140hp peaks the torque lower (3750rpm) than the 168 one (4500rpm) so the 140hp one may actually feel more torquey in the lower range

[Wagon Sailor]

1500kg just about doubles the weight, ie: you've halved your bhp/tonne ...
... and ended up with something similar to the power to weight ratio of an 1100cc Morris Minor!


Please don't be in front of me on a hill.

[oragex]

A 2.4T or 2.5T would be a better option. The 2.5T develops 236lbs torque right from 1,500 rpm, quite impressive if you consider the 2.4 168hp non turbo has only 166lbs torque at 4,500 rpm. Of course, the D5 could still drag two 2.5T behind it while being much more economical on fuel

[mcouchard]

Thanks, still looking there is a T5 not too far away, I assume this would solve the power issue? I only replaced my caravan with a slightly heavier one in the end 1290KG MTPLW.

Is it only the T5R and the XC70's that are AWD or is it all T5's? The one I'm thinking of having a look at is a 2002 2.3 T5 SE, relatively low mileage.

[savabill]

Most T5's are only front wheel drive.