V40 or V60

[tomsteetley]

Ok so I'm now feeling fairly certain I have my heart set on a V60 diesel automatic D4 2014-2016

From time to time I have to drive down long bumpy farm tracks visiting clients. With this in mind should I keep clear of the Rdesign? Does anyone have experience driving both the standard and Rdesign? As much as I like the look of the Rdesign I'm thinking maybe I should stick with the standard for comfort. Probably less chance of the rims getting curbed as my wife gets to grips with driving (she's got her test coming up)

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by tomsteetley

Ok so I'm now feeling fairly certain I have my heart set on a V60 diesel automatic D4 2014-2016

From time to time I have to drive down long bumpy farm tracks visiting clients. With this in mind should I keep clear of the Rdesign? Does anyone have experience driving both the standard and Rdesign? As much as I like the look of the Rdesign I'm thinking maybe I should stick with the standard for comfort. Probably less chance of the rims getting curbed as my wife gets to grips with driving (she's got her test coming up)

I wouldn’t touch the D4 with a barge pole, that’s if it’s a 4 cylinder D4. They suffer from oil consumption issues, EGR issues, EGR cooler problems. They made modifications in 2017, so if you really want a D4, go for a 2017 plate onwards. That being said, I still think you’re better off with a 5 cylinder engine. If ULEZ doesn’t matter, the 5 cylinder D5 is more frugal… just a better engine, although dearer on road tax and fuel consumption isn’t as good. The 5 cylinder D5 is the best engine Volvo ever made.

If you want comfort, then standard suspension is better for you.

[Sotosound]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

I wouldn’t touch the D4 with a barge pole, that’s if it’s a 4 cylinder D4. They suffer from oil consumption issues, EGR issues, EGR cooler problems. They made modifications in 2017, so if you really want a D4, go for a 2017 plate onwards. That being said, I still think you’re better off with a 5 cylinder engine. If ULEZ doesn’t matter, the 5 cylinder D5 is more frugal… just a better engine, although dearer on road tax and fuel consumption isn’t as good. The 5 cylinder D5 is the best engine Volvo ever made.

If you want comfort, then standard suspension is better for you.

The standard suspension cars also have greater ground clearance than the R Design, so that might also be important for you.

Some 16-reg and 66-reg cars have engines with the redesigned pistons and rings, but some don't. Hence, obtaining the engine number is essential. When looking for my good lady's current car, I identified possible candidates, and in every case and whatever the year, I asked for the engine number just to be certain.

I would also encourage test driving both the D3 and the D4 to work out which one has the more suitable driving characteristics, especially when wanting to move off in a hurry (if that's an important consideration). I just found the D3 to be slightly more driver-friendly under such circumstances.

[tomsteetley]

Originally Posted by Sotosound

The standard suspension cars also have greater ground clearance than the R Design, so that might also be important for you.

Some 16-reg and 66-reg cars have engines with the redesigned pistons and rings, but some don't. Hence, obtaining the engine number is essential. When looking for my good lady's current car, I identified possible candidates, and in every case and whatever the year, I asked for the engine number just to be certain.

I would also encourage test driving both the D3 and the D4 to work out which one has the more suitable driving characteristics, especially when wanting to move off in a hurry (if that's an important consideration). I just found the D3 to be slightly more driver-friendly under such circumstances.

Thank you! I do appreciate the D4 is the riskier option. But the speedier acceleration and fuel economy is really tempting!

Once I acquire the engine number where can I check details on piston and rings?

[Sotosound]

Originally Posted by tomsteetley

Thank you! I do appreciate the D4 is the riskier option. But the speedier acceleration and fuel economy is really tempting!

Once I acquire the engine number where can I check details on piston and rings?

Are you asking whether or not it's possible to establish if an earlier engine has been given new pistons and rings?

If so, my guess would be that you would need to be shown paperwork. There'll be no obvious external evidence. Even then, that particular repair isn't 100% guaranteed to work. There might still be scored cylinder walls or knackered valve stem oil seals etc.

If the engine number is higher than the magic number, then you shouldn't need to worry about that work having been done.

[Tannaton]

Another downside to the R-Design cars is they have lower profile tyres which are more puncture prone (on farm tracks), expensive and generally don't last as long... you might want to look at a V60 CC? If you get a V60CC the AWD models have the 5-cylinder engine regardless of designation.

I had a 2016 (16-plate) XC60 D4 FWD (VEA) which was a company car, I had it to 54k miles and the chap who had it after me bought it at the end of the lease and still has it now - that car now has over 160k on it and no oil consumption or EGR issues. Only a few cars are affected, it's just that you only get to hear about the ones that go wrong....

[MikeGMT]

Originally Posted by tomsteetley

Ok so I'm now feeling fairly certain I have my heart set on a V60 diesel automatic D4 2014-2016

Originally Posted by tomsteetley

Thank you! I do appreciate the D4 is the riskier option. But the speedier acceleration and fuel economy is really tempting!

I can echo Tannaton’s experience with regard to the VEA D4. I had a slightly earlier 65 plate XC60 FWD R-Design from new, and at 2 years old had the EGR and Cooler replaced with the latest spec versions, (I doubt there are many early VEA engines out there that haven’t had these replaced). Aside from this issue the car was serviced on time, every time at the specified mileage, and never missed a beat.

My brother has the car now, apart from needing the usual tyres and brakes the car was utterly reliable, and still going strong to date. The VEA D4 has always been my engine of choice, it has just the right blend of performance with enough power and torque, a good mile muncher.

Another thing to ponder, if you are looking at 2014 cars, this is where the newer facelift cars were introduced and the new VEA engines began making a appearance. This gives you the choice of pre-faclift with 5 cylinder FWD (163 bhp) and six speed Geartronic or facelift VEA 2lt with (181bhp) and slightly later on the D4 VEA became available with the new 8 speed geartronic.

Models - 2014 V60 - Technical Data - Volvo Cars Global Media Newsroom.pdf

Models - 2016 V60 - Technical Data - Volvo Car UK Media Newsroom.pdf

[tomsteetley]

Thoughts on this one?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404238969732

[Tannaton]

Lovely....

It's the facelift model with the new dash and much improved Sensus - I think this is the best system ever as it's up to date but no touch screen!

It's the "Lux" so you have the much nicer TFT instruments (you can change the format/theme) and class leading ABL Xenon headlamps. And it will be a good drive being D5.

Only thing I don't like (which is a personal preference) is the light interior, gets dirty quickly, but that's because I'm a mucky scruffy oik.

I went from a 2015 XC60 back to a 2011 XC90 a year ago as very occasionally I need a 7 seater but I do miss sensus. The voice commands work very well too.

[tomsteetley]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

Lovely....

It's the facelift model with the new dash and much improved Sensus - I think this is the best system ever as it's up to date but no touch screen!

It's the "Lux" so you have the much nicer TFT instruments (you can change the format/theme) and class leading ABL Xenon headlamps. And it will be a good drive being D5.

Only thing I don't like (which is a personal preference) is the light interior, gets dirty quickly, but that's because I'm a mucky scruffy oik.

I went from a 2015 XC60 back to a 2011 XC90 a year ago as very occasionally I need a 7 seater but I do miss sensus. The voice commands work very well too.

Thank you. I’m also not a fan of the beige/cream interior. I’m finding it very hard to find a car that ticks all the boxes.

I’m a surfer so I’d quite likely put seat covers on the front seats anyway but I still can’t help but think I’d find the cream interior distracting.