S60 D5... owners

[Super Slo Mo]

soprano said:

I'm not sure that can be right? Is that 49mpg obc or brim to brim? 75 litre tanks divide 4.5 = 16.6 gallons.

16.6 gallons x 49mpg = 813 miles. Not suggesting you run it to empty but definitely more than 600 miles to a tank.

Depends if you run it to empty. Personally I never have, but have managed to achieve about 650 to the tank with a bit left, which equated to a touch over 50 mpg (calculated, not OBC). That was on an economy run at 70 mph pretty much all the way.

[confused_buyer]

Hoddo said:

Is there a tell tale sign that the car is fitted with the 13 speaker audio system? Other than counting all 13 speakers?

As there is no such thing as a 13-speaker audio system the answer is no!

The standard Dolby surround setup is 9-speakers - it is absolutely fine as it is and much better than in some £100k cars. There is also an optional 11-speaker setup which is technically slightly better although it is hard to tell the difference from listening to it.

[y2blade]

confused_buyer said:

Hoddo said:

Is there a tell tale sign that the car is fitted with the 13 speaker audio system? Other than counting all 13 speakers?

As there is no such thing as a 13-speaker audio system the answer is no!

The standard Dolby surround setup is 9-speakers - it is absolutely fine as it is and much better than in some £100k cars. There is also an optional 11-speaker setup which is technically slightly better although it is hard to tell the difference from listening to it.

Yes there is...mine has 13 Speakers
Feel free to correct me.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=volvo+s60+13spea...

Hoddo said:

Page one of this topic referred to a 13 speaker Pro-Logic audio upgrade.

It is also referred to in this PDF from the Volvo club: http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/press/volvo2006uk/S60M...

If I am wrong I apologies.

You are correct, mine has 13 speakers (you need to use a torch to look into the mesh/covers and you CAN count them all)

Edited by y2blade on Friday 19th October 14:06

[y2blade]

Hoddo said:

Other than whipping a torch out and staring through mesh grills are there no tell tale signs? Like 'Pro-Logic' written on the head unit?

Ah there is a button on the stereo for Pro-Logic mode off/on on mine. (the top right button, above the CD eject button)
Picture from Google images (mine is a manual and Centigrade on the Climate Control knobs):

[confused_buyer]

I've never seen any UK brochure refer to 13 speakers. It was always 8, 9 or 11.

You can tell on a V70 by looking at the doors but not on a S60.

Basically though if it is the 4 or 6 disc CD system it'll sound good. Even the base system fitted to S models is quite good as they go.

[y2blade]

confused_buyer said:

Basically though if it is the 4 or 6 disc CD system it'll sound good. Even the base system fitted to S models is quite good as they go.

On this I'll agree, don't get hung-up on the number of speakers...they all sound good.

[y2blade]

y2blade said:

Hoddo said:

Other than whipping a torch out and staring through mesh grills are there no tell tale signs? Like 'Pro-Logic' written on the head unit?

Ah there is a button on the stereo for Pro-Logic mode off/on on mine. (the top right button, above the CD eject button)
Picture from Google images (mine is a manual and Centigrade on the Climate Control knobs):

Hoddo said:

You're a gent. I'll keep my eye open and see if it appears on the cars I look at.

No Worries
Here you go, I Just ran out to the garage and took a picture of mine for you:

[confused_buyer]

A lex said:

9,11 and 13 speaker systems are all prologic.

My Hu850 in my facelift car is ProLogic II with 9 speakers.

And that's all you really need although always check the cd part of the 850 works as they are problematic, particularly on 2005 cars.

[The Don of Croy]

Took me ages to work out how to add discs 2, 3 and 4 (I'd assumed you just popped them in).

For those who need to know (and I couldn't find this in the handbook either) just select disc 2 and, if there isn't one there, it will request 'load disc'. It seems simple, but I didn't figure it out for weeks...

As for the quality and volume, it's a really nice addition to a big comfy car...

[Mr Pies]

RICAS60 said:

I wouldnt bother with it unless it came with reciepts to show it had new DIM fitted sanf new injectors ,2 mega expensive problems for car of that age/ year model.Service history is a must.DMF also a big issue.I have a 2003 D5 and spent alot of cash sorting all 3 main issues out.Go for 2004 onwards ,upgraded DIM and filters to protect injectors.2005 onwards is the 185bhp.

Sorry for the slight bump, I am definitely in the market for an S60 diesel auto now. What is the "DIM"?

[Mr Pies]

Brilliant thanks.

Is the V70 2.4 diesel as good as the S60 in terms of economy, reliability and comfort? I ask as there seems to be more of those about at the moment than the S60's.

[confused_buyer]

I've yet to come across a DIM yet which cannot be repaired (£100-£200). A pain but not ruinous. You'd have to be stark staring bonkers to buy a new one from Volvo.

Injectors can be had for about £110+vat plus fitting if you shop around.

DMF can go but a lot do 200k. It can be expensive as labour is 5-6 hours plus about 400-500 worth of parts.

2004/2005 are the best years which have the revisions but not the more complicated 185 engine.

[Mr Pies]

Brilliant info thank you.

I take it the clutch and DMF go on the autos as well then? Because 100% I want and auto.

Oh and what year does the diesel particulate filter come into use? I'm keen to avoid that!

[Super Slo Mo]

Mr Pies said:

Brilliant thanks.

Is the V70 2.4 diesel as good as the S60 in terms of economy, reliability and comfort? I ask as there seems to be more of those about at the moment than the S60's.

The 2.4d is the old D5 (163). Same engine. Economy is a touch worse I think, as the V70 is a bit heavier. Reliability is no different, and comfort is about the same, although there's a little more headroom in the rear of the V70 as the roof doesn't slope. On the other hand, I believe the V70 might be a tough noisier with regards to road noise, although it's a quiet car.

[Mr Pies]

A lex said:

Mr Pies said:

Brilliant info thank you.

I take it the clutch and DMF go on the autos as well then? Because 100% I want and auto.

Oh and what year does the diesel particulate filter come into use? I'm keen to avoid that!

If you want an auto avoid the earlier cars - the gearboxes are a liability (Aisin Warner 55) - Volvo said they are sealed for life, but they really need frequent fluid changes. Test drive an auto very, very carefully for any roughness or hesitation in the changes. My T5 auto was on its 2nd box at 150k miles and that was borked again - the manuals are a much better proposition IMO.

General opinion is that from about 04 onwards they got better, but id still tread very carefully.

As mentioned by another poster the best all round cars are the early facelift models with the 'old school' 163 engine - they can be found on 54 and 05 plates (just like mine ) - they have the improved looks, ergonomics and reliability of the later cars but keep the more dependable engine and you dont have to worry about swirl arms or DPFs etc.

My car has 164k miles on it and the DMF knocks a little when cold but the clutch itself is fine and I think it should soldier on for many miles yet.

Unless you have concrete proof of a recent change id always budget for a belt/tensioner change and some new h/brake shoes on these cars - both cost 'little' but have a habit of breaking and writing the car off - £20 h/brake shoes have a tendency to delaminate and take the hubs with them at £3-400 per side. ouch!

Again, thank you for the informative post.

I really want an auto, potentially I could be doing a lot of town and motorway driving soon.

Upon your advice, that would rule this out then

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160903304474?ssPageName=...

[confused_buyer]

The 2.4d isn't the same as the "old" D5. It is a detuned version of the 185 d5 with DPF, different intake system etc. and EU4 compliant, it is just rated at the same power.

It is not an unreliable engine but had more to go wrong on it than the earlier non-DPF engine.

[Mr Pies]

This one is nice, not far but over my budget.

Also I've never heard the term "cambelted" before?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280996844574?ssPageName=...

[Super Slo Mo]

confused_buyer said:

The 2.4d isn't the same as the "old" D5. It is a detuned version of the 185 d5 with DPF, different intake system etc. and EU4 compliant, it is just rated at the same power.

It is not an unreliable engine but had more to go wrong on it than the earlier non-DPF engine.

Yeah, but apart from that bit

Were there any mechanical changes to the engine, or is it still the same block/crank/head etc?

[Super Slo Mo]

Well, following the complete absence of any interest in my car, it's gone into the garage for a new cambelt and MOT. Hopefully that'll spark a bit of enthusiasm (I've no idea why the cam belt might put people off, it's not an expensive job).

Failing that, it'll remain as a workhorse/tow car.

[Stedman]

If I get the job I went for an interview for earlier, I'd be interested in hearing more about your car Slow Mo