V70 163 v's V70 185 - What should I look for when buying?

[Roger Woods]

I'm pretty close to going to look at these two cars and wondered what in particular I should focus on, the car will pretty much be the back up to our XC90 as dads cab so I'm not that worried about the miles as it will only do about 5000 or so each year and the car will be run for a long time.

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

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

[Roger Woods]

A Lex - Just the man I hoped would answer - Thanks for your words, my wife likes the Maroon one and I to thought it was top dollar so as you say it would have to be pretty much close to perfect for good as dam it 6 grand. I have had a few idiots talk to me regarding my Impreza but I'm pretty close to it going now (I think). We use CR Volvo, an indi local to us who looks after our XC90 and he has VIDA and will do car inspections so I will be calling on him and his services when I find 'the one'.

I take your point regarding Auto's but I really want one this time, my boy racing days are coming to an end.

[Roger Woods]

I do understand what you mean, the 2.0T looks a cracking car, truth is I do think a Petrol offers better value for the 'purpose' we want currently want this car for, fact is I intend on keeping for a long while and whilst my current job is only a few miles from home should I change and maybe have to drive the 100 mile round trip days again thats why I think a diesel would be the better idea from the off.

That said you have planted the seed.......

[Roger Woods]

The Black car is in Maidenhead, just a few miles from me....

[Roger Woods]

A lex said:

Hi Roger,

Glad to see that you are finally getting around to it

For me the thing that sticks out in your post is the mileage - 5k pa is not a lot.

The 185 engines with all the extra emissions gubbins and the DPF really like long runs and continual use to keep them in top form. For shorter journeys and infrequent use id always go for a 163.

The 163 engines in the facelift cars were pretty rare - so make sure that you are actually buying a 163 - 54 and 05 plates were the only times that these were available, so the red car you linked to should be a 163

Also with the limited mileage you are doing are you absolutely sure that you want a D5?

General things to check include the DMF and clutch and slave cylinder. Check to see when the belts and tensioners were last done and try to find a receipt for a rear h/brake shoe change. If there is any doubt as to either of these two items budget for them ASAP and knock the seller down on price. Electrics should not be a problem on the facelift cars, but as ever do a thorough check - also make sure that the CD player accepts and ejects all the CDs correctly. These cars eat suspension components and front tyres, so make sure everything is OK and check the front tyres are wearing evenly.

If it all possible try somehow to get the car hooked up to a Volvo VIDA machine, either at an indy/dealer or maybe someone from the Volvo forums could help you out. The Volvo computer will be able to pull hundreds of DTCs and parameters from the car that other generic code readers will not be able to.......

Apart from that both cars look to be very nice - the red one is quite strong money for an 05 - I paid less than 1/2 that price for my 54 plater. Make sure that everything is perfect!

Good luck

Alex - Subaru has gone now so the 'proper' search starts, I did think to look at a Saab but the Boss does not like them so back to the Volvo idea, prefer V70 diesel but will start looking at S60/S80 as well as its for the second/third car and to get me to and from work which is only a total of about 13 miles each day, happy to go up to around 5500 pounds but want to stick with getting an auto, if you happen to see any decent cars that sound alright give me a nudge, the good thing is there is not pressure as I have started using my wifes CLK for a bit

Rog

[Roger Woods]

Thanks Alex, I know you would be on the case, nice BUT.... I have a real thing against black, I had a new Dodge Durango in Saudi Arabia in 2006 and never, ever managed to keep it nice, I wish it was silver but thats the kind of thing I would like....

[Roger Woods]

Cheers Alex, after I posted I thought I sounded really negative and I dont mean to, its just I expect to have the next car 5+ years and I would like it to be just right when I get it.

Our XC90 is gold and not really my first choice, it just happened to be the one that was for sale when our old Mercedes ML broke down one last time on us!

Looking around there really does not seem to be that many decent cars up for sale at the moment and Volvo being Volvo the owners keep them forever!

[Roger Woods]

Alex - Being the guru you clearly are would you like to pass comment on this one?

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

[Roger Woods]

Stedman said:

I know someone on the industrial estate who will make you change your mind Rog....

Link

Anyway, Merry Christmas to you and the fam!

Hey Mate, not seen you about, is it because you have realised what colour your car really is?

Tee Hee.

nope sorry dont want a black one, a facelifted 04/05 Auto 163 Silver one is the hunted one!

[Roger Woods]

A lex said:

This one (which I posted above) fits the bill pretty nicely then

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-54-VOLVO-V70-AWD-XC...

Alex - Cheers for that link, that car has been up for sale for quite a while, pretty sure I saw it on ebay a good couple of months back if not 3 months, I'm going to stick with looking for a 2 wheel drive one (There was a really nice looking one in last weeks autotrader but sold the day before the lad paid me for my Subaru) , its good that we have the XC90 for when the weather gets really bad (which we are not far off getting I think) it was -4 driving to East Grinstead this morning!

[Roger Woods]

Thanks thats really helpful, I have dropped the owner of the first car a line and will let you know how I get on.

[Roger Woods]

Did you notice that the pictures are of 2 different cars?

[Roger Woods]

Excellent, that answers that question, so 165,000 miles not an issue then (baring in mind I will do naf all) it might be worth a punt at 3 grand and run it for a few years?

The 7 seater conversion would come in handy....

[Roger Woods]

A lex said:

Mine is on 167k, wouldnt put me off a bit if it has been looked after correctly. Just give it a good, long testdrive and make sure the g'box gets fully warmed up.

There are plenty of these on the Volvo forums here in NL with 300K+ miles.

At 3k i'd be much more inclined to take a 'risk' than at 5k. Really, really rough D5 facelifts with 250k+ on them will still fetch 2k on eBay, so if you could bag that at 3k ish, I think it makes a nice buy.

All IMO obviously

Thanks Alex, depending on what the dealer comes back with I think I might have a go, this one has no service book and that makes me a bit nervous but I know this chap sells loads of cars and appears to be pretty straight

[Roger Woods]

Spoke with Volvo and the last time it was in the system was at 32000 miles in March 2008, its done 135,000 miles since 2008! - No re-calls on the car

[Roger Woods]

45 miles from me and 1 day 9 hours left to run, not sure I would be able to get over to Windsor before it finishes which is a bugger.

[Roger Woods]

Super Slo Mo said:

Well, having partly stripped the engine on mine (188k), I can tell you that there is almost no apparent wear at all to cam bearing journals, cam lobes, and even the cylinder bores still have visible honing marks, with very little wear visible.

So mechanically, they're very very tough. The things that wear and will need replacing are the ancillary items, like suspension, bushes, etc. DMF & clutch might be an issue, but I think mine's original and was still in fine fettle at the time it came off the road.

Boy I'm getting all the 'Masters' in on this search and I thank you all. I'm thinking I will have a go at this one subject to a chat with my wife this evening but I think she will be pretty laid back about it.

[Roger Woods]

Stedman - Dam foreign plated cars! - They so take the rise!

I guess the boss must have been in traffic if she was not zooming!

How you doing?

PS bidding on the Grey car Alex 'found' will know at 907 this evening if its mine!

[Roger Woods]

Me again guys - views on this one please, its on my door step so if nothing comes of the grey one I will give this a call:

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

[Roger Woods]

No, my last one was £3555, I got a bit nervous at the lack of service history and was only prepared to go to 3 1/2 - The search continues......

Edited by Roger Woods on Friday 14th December 08:33