Possible 2006 V70 D5 Sport Geartonic (185bhp) Purchase?

Possible 2006 V70 D5 Sport Geartonic (185bhp) Purchase?

Author
Discussion

Rosscow

Original Poster:

8,817 posts

165 months

Tuesday 3rd July 2012
quotequote all
Hello guys, apologies if this is in the wrong place?

Am contemplating this Volvo:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

5 Doors 2006 Geartronic Estate Diesel Magic Blue Metallic Paint. 185 BHP. 2 owners. MOT and service Feb 2012. Taxed until Jan 2013. Full service history mostly all Volvo dealership. Brand new set of Continental sport contact 5 tyres. 18 inch nebula alloys. Active 4C Chassis. Full off black sovereign soft leather upholstery. Lumbar support. Electric sunroof. Bi-xenon winter pack including heated seats. Dual zone climate control. Comms 2 = RTI (Sat Nav) with TV. Radio/CD with remote control. Integrated phone and Volvo on call. Electric folding door mirrors. Automatic windscreen wipers. Auto dimming rear view mirror. Spoiler. Front heated door mirrors. Height adjustable seats. Rear wiper. Steering wheel rake and reach adjustment. Trip computer. Alarm. Privacy glass. Multi-functional steering wheel. DSTC Traction Control. Roof bars. Rear parking sensors. Front fog lights. Speed sensitive power steering. Cruise control. Folding rear seats. Electric windows. 2 key fobs. Desirable number plate. Space saver spare wheel. New timing belt fitted. Selling as need a smaller car. £6,500

It looks fantastic, and sounds great with a brilliant spec. I have reservations regarding the geartronic box and fairly high mileage for age (averages at over 15k a year but that's nothing for a D5 - right?!). Having said that I've really wanted an auto next time round. I should be able to take a very experienced Volvo mechanic with me to view.

Does anyone have any views/recommendations on the above potential purchase?

Many thanks!

Rosscow

Rosscow

Original Poster:

8,817 posts

165 months

Tuesday 3rd July 2012
quotequote all
Any help or advice guy? Please?!

dave stew

1,502 posts

169 months

Tuesday 3rd July 2012
quotequote all
Nice spec and colour. Same wheels as mine! I have a manual T5 but a mate had an auto D5. You need to watch the Aisin Warner slush box, the fluid can't be changed and gets very dirty. His auto D5 ate the gearbox and I know other Volvo peeps whose cars have done the same.

The other common fault is the inter cooler splits, but that's not impossible to fix.

The other common V70 malady is that they are quite hard on the front suspension, it's worth fitting Powerflex bushes to the front wishbones.

Other than that they are great cars, very comfortable, great driving position and well built.

Hope this helps.

Garett

1,630 posts

194 months

Tuesday 3rd July 2012
quotequote all
Looks like a cracker, its got good spec and is in the right colour. Those wheels are 18" IIRC so it could be a bit crashy, having said that I changed my S60 from 16" to 17" wheels and barely noticed any difference in the ride quality. As long as everything checks out I'm sure you'd be very pleased with it.
I'm not sure about the geartronics but I think they are fairly reliable from what I've heard.
Check to see if it has any evidence in the service history of lower suspension arm bushes and engine top mount. If not check them carefully as they tend to expire after about 100k.

mybrainhurts

90,809 posts

257 months

Tuesday 3rd July 2012
quotequote all
Just turned 200,000 in mine and it's running like new. Great engine.

I was talking to a bloke with a geartronic box and his fuel consumption was nowhere near as good as mine, though.

Rosscow

Original Poster:

8,817 posts

165 months

Tuesday 3rd July 2012
quotequote all
Thanks guys, that's great info!

Have spoken to my local helpful Volvo independent and he's getting me a copy of the full Volvo service history for the car from McNaughton Ross Volvo in Ticehurst (where it has been serviced for the last 4 years) so this should have everything on it that Volvo has done to it.

The timing belt was done at 66k miles (I think it was 96k or 5 years, whichever was sooner) but I need to find out if the pulleys were done at the same time as from what I am reading these tend to be the weak point.

Does anyone have any tips on ways of checking the gear box for anything suspect? How can I check the slush box if you can't change the fluid?

We currently have a 2004 2.2 DCi Nissan X-Trail and we dont get much more than 400 out of a tank. I was hoping for a little improvement if possible but not the end of the world if it's similar.

Are the mounts and bushes above an expensive fix if required?

Thanks again

Rosscow

Original Poster:

8,817 posts

165 months

Tuesday 3rd July 2012
quotequote all
Oh, and Dave - I presume yours would have same suspension if running the same 18" alloys?

If so how do you find the ride?

Thanks

dave stew

1,502 posts

169 months

Wednesday 4th July 2012
quotequote all
No, mine's on Sachs Advantage dampers (my upgrade, not standard) and standard T5 springs, but the ride is absolutely fine. It's a family car, not a hot hatch!

mybrainhurts

90,809 posts

257 months

Wednesday 4th July 2012
quotequote all
You might be interested in this little problem.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Rosscow

Original Poster:

8,817 posts

165 months

Wednesday 4th July 2012
quotequote all
Some more information has cropped up!

Have been onto the Volvo dealer who serviced it last and have also got a print out of all services done within the Volvo network.

Registered: 01/03/2006
First service: 15/01/2007 @ 7730 miles
Second service: 10/09//2007 @ 25043 miles
Third service: 27/02/08 @ 42446 miles
Fourth service: 03/03/10 @ 66739 miles
Fifth service: 17/02/12 @ 85072 miles

Now obviously there seems to be a long time between third and fourth and fourth and fifth services. However, the guy at McNaughton Ross Volvo seems to think he remembers the 2009 and 2011 intermediate services were carried out at a non Volvo dealer or independent. I won't be able to clarify that until Saturday when I check the log book.

The service manager also gave me some very interesting information regarding the car which cropped up at the last service in February:

N/S/F and N/S/R shock absorbers showing signs of leaking although they didn't fail the MOT.

Very slight oil leak from the engine top cover around the swirl throttle.

It had a health check last month and the same shock advisory was noted.

Was also noted that there is slight play in the O/S/R anti-roll bar drop link.

Confirmed that the timing belt, auxillary belt and tensioner kit was fitted at 66k miles and is not due until 156k miles or 2020.

So obviously there are a few issues that need sorting, but they don't seem to bad. I am getting a quote from my independent regarding the shocks and will obviously have to have a look at the very slight oil leak on Saturday.

Would any of you be overly concerned with any of the above?

Thanks again

Rosscow

mybrainhurts

90,809 posts

257 months

Wednesday 4th July 2012
quotequote all
Rosscow said:
Very slight oil leak from the engine top cover around the swirl throttle.
My little problem that we've been discussing also involves a small leak from there. Is the link ok?

Rosscow

Original Poster:

8,817 posts

165 months

Friday 6th July 2012
quotequote all
Right, quick update. I am still going to look tomorrow morning. Spoke to the guy and told him what sort of money I would be offereing so as not to waste our time and he said to come and look as there is a deal to be done.

Have been onto Monroe shock absorbers and I can get 4 new shocks (front and rear) for £780.00 including VAT and delivery, and I could get my independent to fit. I'm thinking I may as well fit new springs whilst I'm at it?

Fronts: http://www.monroeshop.co.uk/front-sh..._p23066870....

Rears:http://www.monroeshop.co.uk/rear-sho..._p22348307.htm

Either way, if he drops as low as I would like which he seems willing to do then as long as the car looks and drives well I'll go for it.

Will let you all know!

Regards

Rosscow

Rosscow

Original Poster:

8,817 posts

165 months

Saturday 7th July 2012
quotequote all
Well, that was frustrating.

Just about to walk out the door, wad of cash for deposit in pocket, when phone rings.

It's the seller, who at the eleventh hour has decided with his wife that they dont want to sell the car after all.
Apparently it's too nice to sell for the sort of money they were going to get for it.

Bugger.

Rosscow

Original Poster:

8,817 posts

165 months

Friday 13th July 2012
quotequote all
Sale is back on!

Going to view tomorrow.....

Garett

1,630 posts

194 months

Saturday 14th July 2012
quotequote all
Shame it fell through but glad its back on!

Did you tempt them with a bit more dosh?

Let us now what happens!

Rosscow

Original Poster:

8,817 posts

165 months

Saturday 14th July 2012
quotequote all
Well, after all that I don't think I'll be buying that V70.

All 4 alloys wheels kurbed to death, headlights were strangely frosted/scratched along the top 2" or so and there were some nasty scratches.

It drove nicely, although I think I can tell why the suspension was going as the owner took us out for a spin along the local B roads and he was driving very fast along some very poor condition roads.

Also had a few things on the MOT advisory list - mainly the rear exhaust brackets severely corroded.

Along with the near side front and rear suspension, rear anti-roll bar drop link and slight oil leak around the swirl throttle I think there is a few quid that needs spending on the car.

I said I'd be interested nearer to £5k and he said he'd think about it.

Now I've had a couple of hours to dwell on it I don't think it's the car for me.

It's a shame because it is a lovely spec. I just get the feeling it's been abused a bit too much for my liking.

The Don of Croy

6,024 posts

161 months

Tuesday 17th July 2012
quotequote all
I'd recommend this thread;

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=114...

- gives some hope to finding a good car out there.

I'm local to Tun Wells, but I'm actually contemplating buying one blind - in Edinburgh. What could possibly go wrong?