XC90 or X5?

[Hogg920]

Looking to get a new motor, I fancied an A4 avant but the missus would like an XC90, not sure I'm game for a Volvo so I suggested an X5 instead.

Basically I want to know,
1. If I can afford a decent XC/X5 for my top budget of 6k or will I be getting a lemon for that kind of money?

2. What are the servicing costs (I've heard a set of tyres for an X5 you'll be lucky to see change from 1400), and are there any common faults I should look out for? Because if I can't afford the long term running costs, they are a none starter

Help!?!

[V12 Virgin]

For your budget of 6k I'd advise you to steer well clear.
Both will be lemons at that price, and the running costs could well be as much as the car if things start to go wrong.
I'd advise you to look at something more sensible- maybe V70 or a 5 series estate.

[Terzo123]

I looked at similar a few years back and ended up with a Jeep Grande Cherokee 3.0 CRD.

It may not be as refined with plastics and finishings, but X5's and Touregs at the same price point had been flogged to death.

6k will get you a good one.

[Resolutionary]

Alternatively, if the A4 was withdrawn for it's more compact size, £6k ought to get you a decent and well specced A6.

If you take brave pills you could get yourself a C5 Allroad on the cheap, or I could recommend a C6 A6 Allroad which is a much more refined beast with a better selection of everyday engines.

If an SUV is a necessity rather than a wishlist item you probably won't find a 'good' X5 for sub £8k.

[Hogg920]

Cheers for the input guys, it wasn't so much the size that attracted the missus to SUV's it was more the ride height and the 4 wheel drive (she doesn't REALLY need it but her family lives out on the Yorkshire moors and she works in Whitby so winter can be sketchy....nowt that winter tyres can't handle though IMO)

I'll have a butcher's at Audi Allroad, ironically it was my old man's estate/SUV hybrid (Volvo XV70) That got her interested in an XC90 to begin with!

We had a Jeep Commander hire car on stateside road trip with some friends in 2008 and while it looked great after 3 weeks on the road we all agreed we weren't impressed, but I'll give a GC the benefit of the doubt if there is one local to test drive.

[Jag_NE]

if she wants to sit high and your budget is low I would get a qashqai. 6k car will be in decent nick and cheapish to maintain.

[donutsina911]

Hogg920 said:

Cheers for the input guys, it wasn't so much the size that attracted the missus to SUV's it was more the ride height and the 4 wheel drive (she doesn't REALLY need it but her family lives out on the Yorkshire moors and she works in Whitby so winter can be sketchy....nowt that winter tyres can't handle though IMO)

I'll have a butcher's at Audi Allroad, ironically it was my old man's estate/SUV hybrid (Volvo XV70) That got her interested in an XC90 to begin with!

We had a Jeep Commander hire car on stateside road trip with some friends in 2008 and while it looked great after 3 weeks on the road we all agreed we weren't impressed, but I'll give a GC the benefit of the doubt if there is one local to test drive.

We had an XC90 for a while - paid a lot less than £6k and it was mega. Drove it to Austria and back and other than no aux socket (ours was 04), couldn't have asked for more from a family wagon. Put a set of decent winter boots on her and was flawless. Old model was around for ages so with a private plate and a polish could have passed for nearly new. Older X5s IMHO look a bit naff, although bork risk aside, probably a better steer..

[Hogg920]

donutsina911 said:

Hogg920 said:

Cheers for the input guys, it wasn't so much the size that attracted the missus to SUV's it was more the ride height and the 4 wheel drive (she doesn't REALLY need it but her family lives out on the Yorkshire moors and she works in Whitby so winter can be sketchy....nowt that winter tyres can't handle though IMO)

I'll have a butcher's at Audi Allroad, ironically it was my old man's estate/SUV hybrid (Volvo XV70) That got her interested in an XC90 to begin with!

We had a Jeep Commander hire car on stateside road trip with some friends in 2008 and while it looked great after 3 weeks on the road we all agreed we weren't impressed, but I'll give a GC the benefit of the doubt if there is one local to test drive.

We had an XC90 for a while - paid a lot less than £6k and it was mega. Drove it to Austria and back and other than no aux socket (ours was 04), couldn't have asked for more from a family wagon. Put a set of decent winter boots on her and was flawless. Old model was around for ages so with a private plate and a polish could have passed for nearly new. Older X5s IMHO look a bit naff, although bork risk aside, probably a better steer..

This sounds good, What sort of miles did it have on it? Service costs etc? I'm not put off things that have a few miles on the clock as long as the history is right and it's a clean looking car

[confused_buyer]

It tended to be the earlier XC90s which has niggles. If you can get something '06ish on in your budget then it will probably be OK.

If an auto, check it works properly (06 model year on had a 6 speed) when warm. Most of the other stuff is as per S60/V70 - they're heavy on suspension bits and gearbox/engine mounts, driveshaft bolts can work loose, AWD can go AWOL but usually OK by this age, swirl flap control on '06 engine (not a biggie), leaking intercoolers etc. They're also prone to broken ABS reluctor rings but these are a £30-50 fix. Check the stereo works.

Basically, if you check it over carefully when you buy it and it is all working it should be OK.

X5 is a better steer, but the XC90 a better all round family wagon IMO.

[donutsina911]

Hogg920 said:

This sounds good, What sort of miles did it have on it? Service costs etc? I'm not put off things that have a few miles on the clock as long as the history is right and it's a clean looking car

We bought it from a local indy with 130,000 on (2004) and sold it with 143,000. New winter tyres, discs and pads and a full service at a main dealer were the costs - service was £320 from Cambridge Volvo, tyres about £150 a corner and discs and pads I think were £400. Would have another in a heart beat. Bought for £3,750, sold for £3,750 so cost us £1,320 for over 10,000 drama free miles. Super comfy and pokey enough for a truck..

[Krikkit]

Sounds like Ovlov XC70/Subaru Outback/Audi Allroad would be a better selection, all good cars.

[DaveH23]

Having drove both I wouldn't even entertain an X5 over an XC90.

Granted I have owned neither so can't comment on longterm running costs the XC90 is a much nicer place to be.