Looking to buy 2.4 D5: auto or manual?

feichter · Mar 19th, 2015, 08:47

Hi all

I am looking to buy a 2.4 D5 with either auto (geartronic) or manual gearbox. Any comments anyone?

Also, any other comments on this car?

Looking to buy a 2008-2010 model with < 60k.

Many thanks.

RPB · Mar 19th, 2015, 18:30

I have a manual and I have never regretted it. The D5 is so torquey that gear changing doesn't need to happen for good progress and I prefer to have the control on icy and slippery conditions.
Many say that the auto is a traditional wet clutch auto which is a slow to change up or down, it is torque limited in the lower gears and makes the VED and mpg worse. I have never driven one so can't compare.

dannydazzler · Mar 19th, 2015, 19:10

I've got a auto D5 and to be honest wish I got a manual. Like the above said its slow gear change and mpg are quite bad. Its good when sitting in traffic but that's about it. I had to get a polestar remap to make it more responsive which did work but still, stick with the manual. Each to there own tho

feichter · Mar 20th, 2015, 03:46

Thanks dannydazzler and RPB !

RPB, is it the 2.4 D5 you've got?

xco · Mar 20th, 2015, 04:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by feichter

Hi all

I am looking to buy a 2.4 D5 with either auto (geartronic) or manual gearbox. Any comments anyone?

Also, any other comments on this car?

Looking to buy a 2008-2010 model with < 60k.

Many thanks.

Hiya

You dont say what car you are after.

I got xc90 with 185 D5 and my missus got 57plate c30 with D5 (185) geartronic and I have to say contrary to other opinions it dont hang about.
At 0-60 7.8secs it only just comes in behind the t5 at 7.4 secs!

Not to be sneezed at for a diesel is it?

The trouble is you have to watch your acceleration with it because it is so effortless your up there before you know it. Torquey as hell and not even trying.
I have tested it for given top speed and I chickened out at 140mph and it had plenty left just touching 4krevs or thereabouts (dont tell the missus Lol).

RPB · Mar 20th, 2015, 08:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by feichter

Thanks dannydazzler and RPB !

RPB, is it the 2.4 D5 you've got?

Yes,

All D5s are 2.4 5 cylinder in the c30/s40/v50/c70 range. Volvo did label the cars as 2.4D for the first generation s60/v70, but it was essentially the same engine to a lower state of tune, and it was eventually changed to d5.
The new VEA range of engines are all 4 cylinder and I think the new xc90 has a d5 which is in fact a 2.0 4 pot engine.

However, until now 2.4D=D5= 2.4 5 cylinder diesel across all Volvo ranges.

feichter · Mar 20th, 2015, 10:09

Ah, yes, sorry !

I do like the look of the V50 D5. 5 cylinders with 2.4 diesel engine looks good for what I need. Lots of long motorway driving to France!

I currently have a 3.0 Chrysler 300C V6.

dme123 · Mar 20th, 2015, 10:33

I bought a C70 D5 about 6 months ago. The D5 engine would be brilliant paired with a good automatic gearbox, but unfortunately the 5 speed AW box it comes with in these cars is not a very good automatic gearbox. The engine is detuned to 350NM of maximum torque in the automatics, and restricted still further in 1st and 2nd gear. It absolutely murders the economy even on a steady state cruise and is a slow witted slusher of the old school around town - it actually manages to make the D5 feel positively lethargic. You also have limited options with remapping to improve it as the gearbox is right at it's limits even in stock form.

The same is true of the T5 - it's amazing how impotent the AW 5 speed box manages to make that engine feel. It's odd as my 2004 V70 T5 has the same box and it doesn't appear to be mapped to be quite so hopelessly lazy in that car.

It amazed me that in a car as expensive as the C70 they thought this gearbox was acceptable in 2006 - 2010. The later D3 and D4 cars come with a 6 speed AW box that is much better, and the 2.0D comes with an automated manual 6 speed that is also much better than the 5 speed slusher.

Biggest problem with the manual is the very short 1st and 2nd gears, the same as many turbo diesels. I get fed up of changing gears in my car in traffic of course, but on balance I would have the manual again.

feichter · Mar 20th, 2015, 11:41

Thanks everyone for their contribution to my question.

Well, it looks like a V50 2.4 with 6-speed manual gearbox then...

Don't mind too much if 1st and 2nd gear are quite short as I will be using it mostly for motorway driving.

Mar 19th, 2015, 08:47	#1
feichter New Member Last Online: Mar 29th, 2015 17:02 Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Caterham	Looking to buy 2.4 D5: auto or manual? Hi all I am looking to buy a 2.4 D5 with either auto (geartronic) or manual gearbox. Any comments anyone? Also, any other comments on this car? Looking to buy a 2008-2010 model with < 60k. Many thanks.

Mar 19th, 2015, 19:10	#3
dannydazzler 2008 S40 D5 R-Design Last Online: May 5th, 2022 21:52 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: York	I've got a auto D5 and to be honest wish I got a manual. Like the above said its slow gear change and mpg are quite bad. Its good when sitting in traffic but that's about it. I had to get a polestar remap to make it more responsive which did work but still, stick with the manual. Each to there own tho __________________ Polestar Upgrade. H&R Springs 35mm.

Mar 19th, 2015, 18:30	#2
RPB Member Last Online: Today 12:11 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: North Yorkshire	I have a manual and I have never regretted it. The D5 is so torquey that gear changing doesn't need to happen for good progress and I prefer to have the control on icy and slippery conditions. Many say that the auto is a traditional wet clutch auto which is a slow to change up or down, it is torque limited in the lower gears and makes the VED and mpg worse. I have never driven one so can't compare.

Mar 20th, 2015, 03:46	#4
feichter New Member Last Online: Mar 29th, 2015 17:02 Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Caterham	Thanks dannydazzler and RPB ! RPB, is it the 2.4 D5 you've got?

Mar 20th, 2015, 10:09	#7
feichter New Member Last Online: Mar 29th, 2015 17:02 Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Caterham	Ah, yes, sorry ! I do like the look of the V50 D5. 5 cylinders with 2.4 diesel engine looks good for what I need. Lots of long motorway driving to France! I currently have a 3.0 Chrysler 300C V6.

Mar 20th, 2015, 10:33	#8
dme123 Master Member Last Online: Jan 17th, 2023 10:06 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Cardiff	I bought a C70 D5 about 6 months ago. The D5 engine would be brilliant paired with a good automatic gearbox, but unfortunately the 5 speed AW box it comes with in these cars is not a very good automatic gearbox. The engine is detuned to 350NM of maximum torque in the automatics, and restricted still further in 1st and 2nd gear. It absolutely murders the economy even on a steady state cruise and is a slow witted slusher of the old school around town - it actually manages to make the D5 feel positively lethargic. You also have limited options with remapping to improve it as the gearbox is right at it's limits even in stock form. The same is true of the T5 - it's amazing how impotent the AW 5 speed box manages to make that engine feel. It's odd as my 2004 V70 T5 has the same box and it doesn't appear to be mapped to be quite so hopelessly lazy in that car. It amazed me that in a car as expensive as the C70 they thought this gearbox was acceptable in 2006 - 2010. The later D3 and D4 cars come with a 6 speed AW box that is much better, and the 2.0D comes with an automated manual 6 speed that is also much better than the 5 speed slusher. Biggest problem with the manual is the very short 1st and 2nd gears, the same as many turbo diesels. I get fed up of changing gears in my car in traffic of course, but on balance I would have the manual again.

Mar 20th, 2015, 11:41	#9
feichter New Member Last Online: Mar 29th, 2015 17:02 Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Caterham	Thanks everyone for their contribution to my question. Well, it looks like a V50 2.4 with 6-speed manual gearbox then... Don't mind too much if 1st and 2nd gear are quite short as I will be using it mostly for motorway driving.

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