Discussion
I'm possibly going to view a 2003/2004 s60 D5 auto this weekend. I've seen though that not a lot of people like the auto?
I am just battering up and down the motorway and sat in M5/6/25 stationary traffic and with my slightly knackered knees I want an auto. Is the auto really that bad?
Cheers!
I am just battering up and down the motorway and sat in M5/6/25 stationary traffic and with my slightly knackered knees I want an auto. Is the auto really that bad?
Cheers!
The geartronic auto box was meant to be "sealed for life" meaning no need for oil changes.
It would appear they were wrong, unless you meant the life of the gearbox and then it would be right!
The engines are solid and as long as services regularly are pretty good for 300,000 miles from what I've read.
I bought at 2004 Euro 3 D5 V70 (black engine cover) with a geartronic with 113,000 on the clock. Took it to an Indy (Horton Cars, Oxfordshire) who were brilliant. Changed the belts, auto box oil and a normal service. Now knocking on 135,000 miles and apart from the normal maintenance the car has be running like clockwork.
There are forum posts on v5d5 and volvoforums with buying guides about the auto boxes.
If you accept that you need to change the gearbox oil every 50,000miles and you get a car that has a good box, then it's a winner.
If the gearbox dies, the car is pretty much a right off.
It would appear they were wrong, unless you meant the life of the gearbox and then it would be right!
The engines are solid and as long as services regularly are pretty good for 300,000 miles from what I've read.
I bought at 2004 Euro 3 D5 V70 (black engine cover) with a geartronic with 113,000 on the clock. Took it to an Indy (Horton Cars, Oxfordshire) who were brilliant. Changed the belts, auto box oil and a normal service. Now knocking on 135,000 miles and apart from the normal maintenance the car has be running like clockwork.
There are forum posts on v5d5 and volvoforums with buying guides about the auto boxes.
If you accept that you need to change the gearbox oil every 50,000miles and you get a car that has a good box, then it's a winner.
If the gearbox dies, the car is pretty much a right off.
Searider said:
We had a 55 plate XC70 with the 163hp D5 and 5 speed auto. It suited the engine really well.
Supposedly a bit fragile. We bought at 90000 miles, changed the oil at 100000 miles and never had any problems. Sold at 135000 miles
Following on from the "Checking the MOT status of your old cars" thread.Supposedly a bit fragile. We bought at 90000 miles, changed the oil at 100000 miles and never had any problems. Sold at 135000 miles
My old XC70 now has 180000 miles. I can only assume it's running OK!
Searider said:
loskie said:
take a look at volvoforums.org
Don't!It's full of problems!
If it all works ok, buy it.
My 2004 V70 D5 auto has gearbox problems but they only became apparent after the car was properly warmed up which took at least 30mins, so try and get a longer test drive if you can.
I wouldnt take an auto Volvo at any point, but that's just from the horror stories I've read. Thing is, I dont mind if someone actually said 'it clunks, I've tried fixing it) but what a lot of sellers have done is found a problem, changed the fluid, that hasnt fixed it so they sell it. Because the fluids fairly fresh it masks the problem, which comes back to bite the new owner on the arse after a year, maybe less.
If you're going to buy an auto Volvo get one from an enthusiast who'll be able to tell you exactly what the history of it is
If you're going to buy an auto Volvo get one from an enthusiast who'll be able to tell you exactly what the history of it is
andy-xr said:
I wouldnt take an auto Volvo at any point, but that's just from the horror stories I've read. Thing is, I dont mind if someone actually said 'it clunks, I've tried fixing it) but what a lot of sellers have done is found a problem, changed the fluid, that hasnt fixed it so they sell it. Because the fluids fairly fresh it masks the problem, which comes back to bite the new owner on the arse after a year, maybe less.
If you're going to buy an auto Volvo get one from an enthusiast who'll be able to tell you exactly what the history of it is
Any alternatives? Needs to be auto and decent sized for carrying IT equipment If you're going to buy an auto Volvo get one from an enthusiast who'll be able to tell you exactly what the history of it is
I'm guessing you're shopping around the £3k figure for that year of Volvo?
Here's a TD4 auto: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-LAND-ROVER-FREELAND...
I like the Freelander for it's capability, and the engine is a good one. The car is better as an auto (I have the v6). The only downside for me anyway is the seat doesnt adjust for height, which if you're long legged can be an issue with headroom and finding a comfy position.
The seats in the S60 I had were some of the most comfortable I've ever been in
This Saab would be my other choice, not the most powerful but would more than do
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-57-SAAB-9-5-1-9-AIR...
Here's a TD4 auto: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-LAND-ROVER-FREELAND...
I like the Freelander for it's capability, and the engine is a good one. The car is better as an auto (I have the v6). The only downside for me anyway is the seat doesnt adjust for height, which if you're long legged can be an issue with headroom and finding a comfy position.
The seats in the S60 I had were some of the most comfortable I've ever been in
This Saab would be my other choice, not the most powerful but would more than do
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-57-SAAB-9-5-1-9-AIR...
TheAngryDog said:
Thanks for the input up to now.
Hmm, it's a tough call between one of these and the 3.0 v6 cdti vectra at the moment.
The GM 3.0cdti is a hateful turd of an engine. From my experience of it, the economy makes it pointless getting a diesel, it's noisy, and it doesn't feel as powerful as it claims to be. Hmm, it's a tough call between one of these and the 3.0 v6 cdti vectra at the moment.
Drive one, then drive a D5. That will make the decision for you.
wiliferus said:
The GM 3.0cdti is a hateful turd of an engine. From my experience of it, the economy makes it pointless getting a diesel, it's noisy, and it doesn't feel as powerful as it claims to be.
Drive one, then drive a D5. That will make the decision for you.
That rules out the big engined 9-5 of that age too I guess. That said, the OP could get a 150hp 1.9 TiD FPT engine in a 9-5 with a lot of spec.Drive one, then drive a D5. That will make the decision for you.
Pre-facelift S60s are getting pretty leggy now. I absolutely love them but at that age they need a lot of maintainence and renewal of parts to keep them happy.
Edited by court on Saturday 7th May 08:20
court said:
That rules out the big engined 9-5 of that age too I guess. That said, the OP could get a 150hp 1.9 TiD FPT engine in a 9-5 with a lot of spec.
I aren't sure about a 4 cylinder diesel automatic? Also the 1.9's are known to cause issues aren't they?I'm bored of being at the petrol station every other day or so to fill up, hence my diesel requirement as currently given my current job diary for this month, I'll be doing 1600 business miles and as it stands that will be in my M5. I've already done 560 miles this week in it.
TheAngryDog said:
I aren't sure about a 4 cylinder diesel automatic? Also the 1.9's are known to cause issues aren't they?
I'm bored of being at the petrol station every other day or so to fill up, hence my diesel requirement as currently given my current job diary for this month, I'll be doing 1600 business miles and as it stands that will be in my M5. I've already done 560 miles this week in it.
I think the 9-5 uses the same transmission as the Volvo, the AW55. But they have a 72k miles ATF change so don't suffer the issues of the Volvo 'sealed for life' I believe.I'm bored of being at the petrol station every other day or so to fill up, hence my diesel requirement as currently given my current job diary for this month, I'll be doing 1600 business miles and as it stands that will be in my M5. I've already done 560 miles this week in it.
The 1.9 does have issues like all modern powertrains, but a very common engine with a lot known about it.
I'd just end the thread with a late high spec E46 330d touring.
court said:
I think the 9-5 uses the same transmission as the Volvo, the AW55. But they have a 72k miles ATF change so don't suffer the issues of the Volvo 'sealed for life' I believe.
They do actually. Maybe not as often but they certainly do.It is usually the valve body which wears out which no amount of fluid changes will fix. If it is OK when cold but goes bad when warm you can be pretty sure it is the valve body. The good news is that, if that is the case, you can fit a new body and it will usually cure it.
The 2004-2005 autos in the Volvo are generally OK. If it works at point of purchase then it will usually carry on driven sensibly. The late 2005 on 185 model used a 6-speed 'box which also suffers from valve body problems so at that sort of age I'd go for the earlier 5-speed.
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