Is there a better diesel than the Volvo D5 ?
Discussion
What ho chaps.
I need to change my ageing E39 528i SE auto.
It has been superb, a few electrical gremlins, I've taken it from 81,000 to nearly 180,000 in three years.
I do however need more economy.
I know BMW diesels are out of the question, the ones worth having use as much fuel as their petrol variants, and the 2.0 4 pot sounds crap and self destruct.
Mates in the trade keep suggesting/insisting that their just isn't anything to beat the D5 engine, they suggest the S80, S60, or V70.
I like the look of the Merc 2.2 diesel, but I keep being told they have fuelling issues, along with the standard merc rust problems.
The car I buy will be 8 - 10 years old, with about 80,000 on it.
What experiences do you chaps have ?
I need to change my ageing E39 528i SE auto.
It has been superb, a few electrical gremlins, I've taken it from 81,000 to nearly 180,000 in three years.
I do however need more economy.
I know BMW diesels are out of the question, the ones worth having use as much fuel as their petrol variants, and the 2.0 4 pot sounds crap and self destruct.
Mates in the trade keep suggesting/insisting that their just isn't anything to beat the D5 engine, they suggest the S80, S60, or V70.
I like the look of the Merc 2.2 diesel, but I keep being told they have fuelling issues, along with the standard merc rust problems.
The car I buy will be 8 - 10 years old, with about 80,000 on it.
What experiences do you chaps have ?
Tough and characterful. Obviously they need regular, routine maintenance, like any car. Cam belt changes are around the 90-100k mark.
When I stripped mine there was no noticeable wear on any of the bearing surfaces, the bores still had noticable honing marks present, although there was a tiny lip at the top of the bores. This was on a 185,000 mile engine with no history before I got it at 145,000, so the mileage could have been anything.
The only snag I found with it was that it seemed to love being revved, and sounded great, even by a lot of petrol standards, when pushed. The snag being that it then wasn't particularly economical.
I averaged a real 42 mpg over 40,000 miles in an old V70, mostly 70mph cruising, but I was never gentle around town or on the open road, others have had better, and you can, with care, get up to around 50 mpg on a long, slow (70 ish) run.
When I stripped mine there was no noticeable wear on any of the bearing surfaces, the bores still had noticable honing marks present, although there was a tiny lip at the top of the bores. This was on a 185,000 mile engine with no history before I got it at 145,000, so the mileage could have been anything.
The only snag I found with it was that it seemed to love being revved, and sounded great, even by a lot of petrol standards, when pushed. The snag being that it then wasn't particularly economical.
I averaged a real 42 mpg over 40,000 miles in an old V70, mostly 70mph cruising, but I was never gentle around town or on the open road, others have had better, and you can, with care, get up to around 50 mpg on a long, slow (70 ish) run.
The VAG 1.9PD 130 engine in some Passats, Golfs, Leons, Superb is strong and more economical than the volvo.
The D5 is more characterful I agree, it makes a nice sound. Personally I would avoid the auto. My friends '07 D5 SE is not very economical tbh and the manual she test drove before buying the auto I thought was noticeably perkier.
I'd look at a Mk1 Superb perhaps.
The D5 is more characterful I agree, it makes a nice sound. Personally I would avoid the auto. My friends '07 D5 SE is not very economical tbh and the manual she test drove before buying the auto I thought was noticeably perkier.
I'd look at a Mk1 Superb perhaps.
If you aren't worried about car age, I would recommend the first gen V70 2.5d auto.
My last one eventually died at 345K and that was my fault !
I have since bought another on a 99 plate and regularly acheive 45mpg with a full load.( and I mean full)...
Newer V70s' dont seem to have the same write ups... and also the load area is compromised by the inclined rear end.
Cant comment on performance as I have never driven one...
My last one eventually died at 345K and that was my fault !
I have since bought another on a 99 plate and regularly acheive 45mpg with a full load.( and I mean full)...
Newer V70s' dont seem to have the same write ups... and also the load area is compromised by the inclined rear end.
Cant comment on performance as I have never driven one...
I have a fabia vRS with 145k on the clock, it's been fantastic and my mates 130 TDI in an a4 has 240k on the clock so they are decent engines.
However, I drove a Volvo C30 D5 as i had it as a loan car and my word, what a car. It sounded superb, went like stink and did 52mpg.
In short it's a replacement for the vRS when/if it dies! :-)
However, I drove a Volvo C30 D5 as i had it as a loan car and my word, what a car. It sounded superb, went like stink and did 52mpg.
In short it's a replacement for the vRS when/if it dies! :-)
Fittster said:
A lex said:
tbc said:
VAG 1.9 TDI
you always see Audi, VW, Skoda with over 200k miles
D5s will turn 350-400k miles with only routine maintenance you always see Audi, VW, Skoda with over 200k miles
Yes the Seat was more economic and hugely capable but the D5 is a stronger engine. Drags a 2.5 ton lump around as if it was a minor inconvenience.
D5 loses out at the pump (specifically for the bigger XC90) but I'm sure in a smaller body, it would have few if any competitors.
Great engines. Mine does around 47/48 mpg at this time of year, you can easily get over 50 if you're on the motorway driving at sensible speeds. The V70 is a bit less economical than the S60. As mentioned above, it does like to be revved and that does knock the economy quite a bit but I've never got less than 44 from a tank.
Mine is on about 187k miles and you wouldn't know it, still pulls strongly. Mine is an early car, but it has a full Volvo service history and all the bits that could go wrong have been replaced.
I used to have a Golf with the PD TDI engine. It was good and also slightly more economical, but it wasn't half as nice to drive.
Mine is on about 187k miles and you wouldn't know it, still pulls strongly. Mine is an early car, but it has a full Volvo service history and all the bits that could go wrong have been replaced.
I used to have a Golf with the PD TDI engine. It was good and also slightly more economical, but it wasn't half as nice to drive.
XC70 D5 here- love it- pulls like a train, nothing gone wrong yet.
Its a lovely engine- seems to haev more power than many other D5s
Mine got 165bhp, but a shed load of torque.
easily does 42mpg average- 38mpg wioth a lot of town driving, 46-50 on a motorway run.
Its more efficient than my 1.9tdi (significiantly newer) saab 9-3
Its a lovely engine- seems to haev more power than many other D5s
Mine got 165bhp, but a shed load of torque.
easily does 42mpg average- 38mpg wioth a lot of town driving, 46-50 on a motorway run.
Its more efficient than my 1.9tdi (significiantly newer) saab 9-3
Hi Nigel - long time no talk, missing the banter over on TA.
My 56 Plate V70 D5 is now on 73k miles, all of them mine, and I'm still very happy with it - I change my mind on what I want as my toy car every 2 weeks but I have no desire to change my V70 whilst it continues to be a functional but still satisfying Dad wagon.
With the exception of a split intercooler hose it's needed nothing other than routine servicing. It gets through front tyres quickly and rear discs corrode in a little over 2 years regardless of mileage.
I hear the occasional cambelt horror story - usually involving either cambelt tensioner or aux belt tensioner failure (causing aux belt to tangle with cam belt and pull it off), which I've hopefully mitigated by having the belts and tensioners changed early.
Mine is the Euro 4 engine which gives me 38-40mpg, I generally use it for longer journeys as I trundle around in my 110 (or cycle !) for hacking around town at the weekend I hear the earlier Euro 3 d5 is considerably more economical. I think they started using the Euro 4 in the 2005 model year.
My 56 Plate V70 D5 is now on 73k miles, all of them mine, and I'm still very happy with it - I change my mind on what I want as my toy car every 2 weeks but I have no desire to change my V70 whilst it continues to be a functional but still satisfying Dad wagon.
With the exception of a split intercooler hose it's needed nothing other than routine servicing. It gets through front tyres quickly and rear discs corrode in a little over 2 years regardless of mileage.
I hear the occasional cambelt horror story - usually involving either cambelt tensioner or aux belt tensioner failure (causing aux belt to tangle with cam belt and pull it off), which I've hopefully mitigated by having the belts and tensioners changed early.
Mine is the Euro 4 engine which gives me 38-40mpg, I generally use it for longer journeys as I trundle around in my 110 (or cycle !) for hacking around town at the weekend I hear the earlier Euro 3 d5 is considerably more economical. I think they started using the Euro 4 in the 2005 model year.
Mines an early (02) car at 147000 mls and has all the usual bits done, clutch and slave cylinder, DMF, intercooler, engine mounts etc.
I`d disagree that they`ll do 350000 on just routine maintenance though, you`d be very lucky.
I`ve put too much into it to get rid now but I really like it, mine suffered from 30000 miles of little/no servicing so I had to spend quite a bit getting it back up to scratch.
If buying an earlier one MAKE SURE it`s had a clutch/slave/DMF change done as it WILL need one at some point, common failure and usually a grand to fix it.
Intercoolers are made of toffee and usually last around 120000 miles so make sure it`s had one of these as well.
Personally would avoid geartronic auto like the plague, especially on earlier cars, high bork factor.
Despite this I love these things, reasonably quick, fairly economical, super comfortable.
Not a "drivers car" in the same way a BMW would be but a thoroughly nice place to be and can be hustled along at surprising speeds.
VPCUK and T5D5 are great for help and info too...
I was going to get a 320D but I`m really glad I went for the D5 now, it`s one of the least "Dieslely" Diesels I`ve driven if that makes sense.
If you don`t need the space you`ll get a newer, better S60 than you would a V70 for the same money.
Best year (imo) is 04/54/05 as many have the less bork prone EUIII engine (no DPF) but still have the facelift lights, dashboard etc.
I`d disagree that they`ll do 350000 on just routine maintenance though, you`d be very lucky.
I`ve put too much into it to get rid now but I really like it, mine suffered from 30000 miles of little/no servicing so I had to spend quite a bit getting it back up to scratch.
If buying an earlier one MAKE SURE it`s had a clutch/slave/DMF change done as it WILL need one at some point, common failure and usually a grand to fix it.
Intercoolers are made of toffee and usually last around 120000 miles so make sure it`s had one of these as well.
Personally would avoid geartronic auto like the plague, especially on earlier cars, high bork factor.
Despite this I love these things, reasonably quick, fairly economical, super comfortable.
Not a "drivers car" in the same way a BMW would be but a thoroughly nice place to be and can be hustled along at surprising speeds.
VPCUK and T5D5 are great for help and info too...
I was going to get a 320D but I`m really glad I went for the D5 now, it`s one of the least "Dieslely" Diesels I`ve driven if that makes sense.
If you don`t need the space you`ll get a newer, better S60 than you would a V70 for the same money.
Best year (imo) is 04/54/05 as many have the less bork prone EUIII engine (no DPF) but still have the facelift lights, dashboard etc.
Mines here and I've blogged most of the running costs too. http://www.pistonheads.com/members/showcar.asp?car...
For the money you'll struggle to find anything better. More refined and more grunt in standard form than VAG tdi units and although the BMW 6s are nicer they're more costly to run and repair. So a good compromise imo, which is the only reason any of us buy diesels, because we have to compromise!
Mines on 140k and had a new clutch and slave at 100k. Other than new bottom arms and top engine mount there has been no major expense. I will keep it until it dies as its a great work horse and excellent for my 80 mile commute each day.
For the money you'll struggle to find anything better. More refined and more grunt in standard form than VAG tdi units and although the BMW 6s are nicer they're more costly to run and repair. So a good compromise imo, which is the only reason any of us buy diesels, because we have to compromise!
Mines on 140k and had a new clutch and slave at 100k. Other than new bottom arms and top engine mount there has been no major expense. I will keep it until it dies as its a great work horse and excellent for my 80 mile commute each day.
Edited by Garett on Tuesday 25th June 19:17
I was just thinking today, I wouldn't mind a comfy auto boat for doing the work run, and spied this near me...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...
danp said:
are the geartronic autos ok in these? thx dan
Post 2004 cars are much better than the early ones IIRC.The trouble is that Volvo claim they are a "sealed for life" unit and don`t require fluid changes. This is horses
t unfortunately. Fluid CAN be changed on them but it`s a PITA to do.I`d only have a geartronic on a later (2005 on) car but I`d still be a bit concerned about its longevity tbh.
I drive my petrol 2.4 S60 like miss Daisy and can get 47mpg out of it.
The missus' D5 generally doesn't go under about 45mpg with her lead foot driving style.
I've borrowed it and got 65mpg with steady driving on a long run.
With Volvos - don't forget the comfy seats and great quality stereo/speakers that come standard
The missus' D5 generally doesn't go under about 45mpg with her lead foot driving style.
I've borrowed it and got 65mpg with steady driving on a long run.
With Volvos - don't forget the comfy seats and great quality stereo/speakers that come standard
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