2013 Volvo XC70 D5
Discussion
For a while I'd been looking at Volvo XC70s but kept feeling they were a bit expensive and that I'd wait a bit longer in the hope they'd come down a bit. They never really seem to have so about 6 weeks ago back I took the plunge and bought this D5 in SE Lux trim.
I was after a car that would make a good daily driver, be able to survive a trip in to a forest for rally marshalling duties and be happier towing my Autograss car, inevitably through muddy fields, than my old Saab 9-3.
The XC70 seems a good compromise without having to get a full on SUV.
It's got a pretty good spec; adaptive cruise control, bendy headlights, BLIS, electric tailgate, high beam assist amongst other things.
It has been a Cat N write off previously but it just meant I could get a newer car for my budget. However it was in a very clean condition, inside and out plus came with a good matching set of Pirelli Scorpion tyres so it appears to have been looked after.
It drives quite nicely, no where near as wallowy as I'd expect, in fact I'd say it was almost stiffly sprung. The claimed 215PS is more than adequate once on the move and the gearbox is smooth enough, although I feel it's quite short geared on the motorway.
The fuel economy is pretty poor so far, I'm only getting 33mpg on mostly motorway journeys, I'd expected closer to 40 if I'm honest, I'll do a bit more investigation at some point.
I reckon the colour works really well with the black plastics, much more than it would on a regular V70.
Someone has also had the wheels refurbished in grey which I like, I'm not a big fan of diamond cut style wheels.
The interior is a really nice place to be, plenty space and the colour combo is bright enough to feel fresh without being as beige as some can seem!
Obviously the boot is vast, I reckon I could be quite comfortable wild camping in there with the seats down.
Overall I'm really happy with it, fingers crossed it'll last me a long time!
I was after a car that would make a good daily driver, be able to survive a trip in to a forest for rally marshalling duties and be happier towing my Autograss car, inevitably through muddy fields, than my old Saab 9-3.
The XC70 seems a good compromise without having to get a full on SUV.
It's got a pretty good spec; adaptive cruise control, bendy headlights, BLIS, electric tailgate, high beam assist amongst other things.
It has been a Cat N write off previously but it just meant I could get a newer car for my budget. However it was in a very clean condition, inside and out plus came with a good matching set of Pirelli Scorpion tyres so it appears to have been looked after.
It drives quite nicely, no where near as wallowy as I'd expect, in fact I'd say it was almost stiffly sprung. The claimed 215PS is more than adequate once on the move and the gearbox is smooth enough, although I feel it's quite short geared on the motorway.
The fuel economy is pretty poor so far, I'm only getting 33mpg on mostly motorway journeys, I'd expected closer to 40 if I'm honest, I'll do a bit more investigation at some point.
I reckon the colour works really well with the black plastics, much more than it would on a regular V70.
Someone has also had the wheels refurbished in grey which I like, I'm not a big fan of diamond cut style wheels.
The interior is a really nice place to be, plenty space and the colour combo is bright enough to feel fresh without being as beige as some can seem!
Obviously the boot is vast, I reckon I could be quite comfortable wild camping in there with the seats down.
Overall I'm really happy with it, fingers crossed it'll last me a long time!
Edited by Lugy on Wednesday 2nd December 02:28
Great cars, I really miss mine. I bought it with 193k on the clock and sold it 203k. It drove like a new car and the seats are ridiculously comfortable on long drives.
Like you, I was tempted to do a spot of camping in it, but ended up taking the MX5 and a tent around France instead...
Like you, I was tempted to do a spot of camping in it, but ended up taking the MX5 and a tent around France instead...
Nice looking car. We have one too (2008 D5 awd V70) and get 34mpg on a run, I think it’s the auto box & the weight of the thing that does for the fuel economy. Ours has been a great family car but has cost a lot to keep on the road - rear diff, haldex unit, manifold intake flaps, ac compressor, rear boot latch (£250!), pas pump - but it is older and has 160k miles. Was looking to replace with a newer less leggy version but as this year with lockdown we have not done many miles will probably hang on to it a while longer. Get to know a good indi and you will be sorted.
Fuel economy doesn't sound far off, they are heavy cars and no where near as frugal as early D5's. Looks like somebody didn't want to pay the price of refurbishing the diamond cuts so it's not uncommon to find them in a solid colour. Lovely thing, look after it and it will go on forever!
nice bus!
Do you know what caused the Cat N?
You should be getting 40+ on motorway as indicated by the instrument cluster, i get high 20s around town but mine is the 185, the 215 is supposedly MORE economical.
I would suggest doing the oil/filter/air/fuel filters as a start and getting some injector cleaner in there. You can then move onto other things like cleaning the intake/EGR etc. If possible get the diagnostic codes read on a VIDA/DICE unit
Do you know what caused the Cat N?
You should be getting 40+ on motorway as indicated by the instrument cluster, i get high 20s around town but mine is the 185, the 215 is supposedly MORE economical.
I would suggest doing the oil/filter/air/fuel filters as a start and getting some injector cleaner in there. You can then move onto other things like cleaning the intake/EGR etc. If possible get the diagnostic codes read on a VIDA/DICE unit
Lovely colour and lovely spec - I think the 2013 is the sweet spot just before they went to the semi TFT dash (which is a bit naff).
Agree you should be getting better MPGs. What tyres does it have on and are they pumped right up for mway work? My earlier XC70 is surprisingly sensitive to tyre psi
Agree you should be getting better MPGs. What tyres does it have on and are they pumped right up for mway work? My earlier XC70 is surprisingly sensitive to tyre psi
Like that a lot. Spec & colour superb in my view & as big a car as anyone probably needs.
My main memory of volvos is that their heaters seem to have a 'nuclear' top temperature setting. I don't think I've ever experienced heat like it in a car before - must be a Sweedish thing but I came out of that car looking like I'd been sight seeing in Chernobyl. Either that or the one I was in was knackered....
Sounds perfect for what you have planned - enjoy.
Be very interested to see how running costs go with it.
My main memory of volvos is that their heaters seem to have a 'nuclear' top temperature setting. I don't think I've ever experienced heat like it in a car before - must be a Sweedish thing but I came out of that car looking like I'd been sight seeing in Chernobyl. Either that or the one I was in was knackered....
Sounds perfect for what you have planned - enjoy.
Be very interested to see how running costs go with it.
As others have said, very nice spec.
I've ran a 2012 D4 (AWD/163/ 5 cylinder) for 3 years and 33,000 miles. (now on 112,000) Only issue in that time has been all the door locks failed, and were replaced under RAC warranty for circa £850.
MPG wise, best i've seen was 47mpg on a 250 mile motorway trip. Average long motorway trip would be around 40/42mpg. With runaround/town low 30s.
In the snow, with winter tyres, these are amazing, and so much fun.
I've ran a 2012 D4 (AWD/163/ 5 cylinder) for 3 years and 33,000 miles. (now on 112,000) Only issue in that time has been all the door locks failed, and were replaced under RAC warranty for circa £850.
MPG wise, best i've seen was 47mpg on a 250 mile motorway trip. Average long motorway trip would be around 40/42mpg. With runaround/town low 30s.
In the snow, with winter tyres, these are amazing, and so much fun.
Thanks for the positive comments!
My mum stays down near Toulouse so we'll be looking to try out it's long distance capabilities as soon as the restrictions are lifted.
I have intentions of doing a bit preventative maintenance over the holidays, thinking along the lines of a service kit, as many fluids changed as I can manage, EGR cleaning and the aux belt and pulley given I can't find any evidence of it being changed.
I'd like to get a hold of some software, either a VIDA clone or the VXDIAG stuff.
. I'm hoping it's not going to be too expensive to keep going, I've got a pretty well kitted workshop and my OH has made a contact with someone who works for Volvo within her dealer group so hopefully we'll get decent discount on any parts.
I think I've guaranteed no snow this winter!
Jonmx said:
Great cars, I really miss mine. I bought it with 193k on the clock and sold it 203k. It drove like a new car and the seats are ridiculously comfortable on long drives.
Like you, I was tempted to do a spot of camping in it, but ended up taking the MX5 and a tent around France instead...
it definitely is mega comfortable,so stress free too, especially after a long night shift, it's just a case of heated seats on nuclear, adaptive cruise set to 70 and whatever Spotify playlist I've been listening to on the stereo.Like you, I was tempted to do a spot of camping in it, but ended up taking the MX5 and a tent around France instead...
My mum stays down near Toulouse so we'll be looking to try out it's long distance capabilities as soon as the restrictions are lifted.
Daninoxon said:
Nice looking car. We have one too (2008 D5 awd V70) and get 34mpg on a run, I think it’s the auto box & the weight of the thing that does for the fuel economy. Ours has been a great family car but has cost a lot to keep on the road - rear diff, haldex unit, manifold intake flaps, ac compressor, rear boot latch (£250!), pas pump - but it is older and has 160k miles. Was looking to replace with a newer less leggy version but as this year with lockdown we have not done many miles will probably hang on to it a while longer. Get to know a good indi and you will be sorted.
If you've spent a fair bit on the big ticket items then it's probably worth holding on to I'd think. It turns out there's a well regarded Volvo specialist in my town, definitely handy to have I reckon.Jimmy No Hands said:
Fuel economy doesn't sound far off, they are heavy cars and no where near as frugal as early D5's. Looks like somebody didn't want to pay the price of refurbishing the diamond cuts so it's not uncommon to find them in a solid colour. Lovely thing, look after it and it will go on forever!
From what I've seen on the owners pages, fuel economy seems to be all over the place with these cars. I have no problem the wheels being done, I wasn't too keen on the diamond cut finish and preferred the older chunkier design.R56Cooper said:
Great looking thing, especially the second photo all splattered with mud.
I have plans to take it on some of the more tame green lanes in Northumberland at some point, I suspect it won't be as good as my old Land Rovers funnily enough but it'd be good to see what it can do (and get it muddier!)redandwhite said:
nice bus!
Do you know what caused the Cat N?
You should be getting 40+ on motorway as indicated by the instrument cluster, i get high 20s around town but mine is the 185, the 215 is supposedly MORE economical.
I would suggest doing the oil/filter/air/fuel filters as a start and getting some injector cleaner in there. You can then move onto other things like cleaning the intake/EGR etc. If possible get the diagnostic codes read on a VIDA/DICE unit
I'm not certain but I've found a tiny bit over spray in a panel gap on the front nearside so that's my suspicion, all the panel gaps are good all over and there's no obvious paint difference anywhere so it's been a good repair as far as I can tell (I'm normally quite good at finding stuff that's not right I reckon).Do you know what caused the Cat N?
You should be getting 40+ on motorway as indicated by the instrument cluster, i get high 20s around town but mine is the 185, the 215 is supposedly MORE economical.
I would suggest doing the oil/filter/air/fuel filters as a start and getting some injector cleaner in there. You can then move onto other things like cleaning the intake/EGR etc. If possible get the diagnostic codes read on a VIDA/DICE unit
I have intentions of doing a bit preventative maintenance over the holidays, thinking along the lines of a service kit, as many fluids changed as I can manage, EGR cleaning and the aux belt and pulley given I can't find any evidence of it being changed.
I'd like to get a hold of some software, either a VIDA clone or the VXDIAG stuff.
TurboRob said:
Lovely colour and lovely spec - I think the 2013 is the sweet spot just before they went to the semi TFT dash (which is a bit naff).
Agree you should be getting better MPGs. What tyres does it have on and are they pumped right up for mway work? My earlier XC70 is surprisingly sensitive to tyre psi
It's got Pirelli Scorpion all season tyres, I've gone with the 2.4 bar setting (recommended for 100mph +) but it's still much the same.Agree you should be getting better MPGs. What tyres does it have on and are they pumped right up for mway work? My earlier XC70 is surprisingly sensitive to tyre psi
Nomadic Mind said:
Like that a lot. Spec & colour superb in my view & as big a car as anyone probably needs.
My main memory of volvos is that their heaters seem to have a 'nuclear' top temperature setting. I don't think I've ever experienced heat like it in a car before - must be a Sweedish thing but I came out of that car looking like I'd been sight seeing in Chernobyl. Either that or the one I was in was knackered....
Sounds perfect for what you have planned - enjoy.
Be very interested to see how running costs go with it.
I think it could be a Swedish thing, my Saabs were normally lukewarm or hot My main memory of volvos is that their heaters seem to have a 'nuclear' top temperature setting. I don't think I've ever experienced heat like it in a car before - must be a Sweedish thing but I came out of that car looking like I'd been sight seeing in Chernobyl. Either that or the one I was in was knackered....
Sounds perfect for what you have planned - enjoy.
Be very interested to see how running costs go with it.
. I'm hoping it's not going to be too expensive to keep going, I've got a pretty well kitted workshop and my OH has made a contact with someone who works for Volvo within her dealer group so hopefully we'll get decent discount on any parts.xcseventy said:
As others have said, very nice spec.
I've ran a 2012 D4 (AWD/163/ 5 cylinder) for 3 years and 33,000 miles. (now on 112,000) Only issue in that time has been all the door locks failed, and were replaced under RAC warranty for circa £850.
MPG wise, best i've seen was 47mpg on a 250 mile motorway trip. Average long motorway trip would be around 40/42mpg. With runaround/town low 30s.
In the snow, with winter tyres, these are amazing, and so much fun.
I have a warranty with it from the dealer, I did think about extending it for peace of mind but will need to decide whether the extra money is worth the risk or not.I've ran a 2012 D4 (AWD/163/ 5 cylinder) for 3 years and 33,000 miles. (now on 112,000) Only issue in that time has been all the door locks failed, and were replaced under RAC warranty for circa £850.
MPG wise, best i've seen was 47mpg on a 250 mile motorway trip. Average long motorway trip would be around 40/42mpg. With runaround/town low 30s.
In the snow, with winter tyres, these are amazing, and so much fun.
I think I've guaranteed no snow this winter!
Great cars.
I had a 2008 3.2 V6 in SE Lux trim on 250,000 miles when i sold it. Looked like it had done 30,000 miles based on the state of the seats and steering wheel. Such a lovely car, but £550 VED and 19mpg really started to sting after a while and being an older version no telephone connectivity which was surprisingly annoying.
I've been looking at the facelift 2012 D5 models and am really tempted - does the music system easily connect to your phone?
I had a 2008 3.2 V6 in SE Lux trim on 250,000 miles when i sold it. Looked like it had done 30,000 miles based on the state of the seats and steering wheel. Such a lovely car, but £550 VED and 19mpg really started to sting after a while and being an older version no telephone connectivity which was surprisingly annoying.
I've been looking at the facelift 2012 D5 models and am really tempted - does the music system easily connect to your phone?
Scuba_steve said:
Nice spec, love the gunmetal wheels, they freshen it up a notch!
Surprised at the stiffly sprung suspension, these have always looked like cruising armchairs to me with the ride height
You're definitely a fife local with that baker's bag
Hopefully see it about.
Yeah, it wasn't really what I was expecting, maybe later cars had a stiffer set up or maybe it's just my car. The seats and fairly big profile tyres mean it's still very comfortable.Surprised at the stiffly sprung suspension, these have always looked like cruising armchairs to me with the ride height
You're definitely a fife local with that baker's bag
Hopefully see it about.You can't go wrong with some tasty baked goodness from Stephens!
JQ said:
Great cars.
I had a 2008 3.2 V6 in SE Lux trim on 250,000 miles when i sold it. Looked like it had done 30,000 miles based on the state of the seats and steering wheel. Such a lovely car, but £550 VED and 19mpg really started to sting after a while and being an older version no telephone connectivity which was surprisingly annoying.
I've been looking at the facelift 2012 D5 models and am really tempted - does the music system easily connect to your phone?
They do seem to wear the miles well, I've seen some of the lighter interiors still looking great at pretty high miles.I had a 2008 3.2 V6 in SE Lux trim on 250,000 miles when i sold it. Looked like it had done 30,000 miles based on the state of the seats and steering wheel. Such a lovely car, but £550 VED and 19mpg really started to sting after a while and being an older version no telephone connectivity which was surprisingly annoying.
I've been looking at the facelift 2012 D5 models and am really tempted - does the music system easily connect to your phone?
Within about 10-15s of me getting in my car is playing whatever I've been listening to on Spotify without any help (I always have it running on my phone though). That was one of the main drivers of getting a newer car for me.
Strong work sir.
Regarding door locks, they seem to be a consumable item in these cats but with a bit patience plus swapping a couple of minor components within said licks, you can fit Mondeo items... the upside being, breakers are full of them. I changed the rear two on mine for a fiver.
Regarding door locks, they seem to be a consumable item in these cats but with a bit patience plus swapping a couple of minor components within said licks, you can fit Mondeo items... the upside being, breakers are full of them. I changed the rear two on mine for a fiver.
Davie said:
Strong work sir.
Regarding door locks, they seem to be a consumable item in these cats but with a bit patience plus swapping a couple of minor components within said licks, you can fit Mondeo items... the upside being, breakers are full of them. I changed the rear two on mine for a fiver.
Cheers for the tip, I may need a replacement on mine. Mk4 mondeo ?Regarding door locks, they seem to be a consumable item in these cats but with a bit patience plus swapping a couple of minor components within said licks, you can fit Mondeo items... the upside being, breakers are full of them. I changed the rear two on mine for a fiver.
Edited by redandwhite on Wednesday 2nd December 22:10
Nice wagon..
We've 2013 D3 (5cyl) SE. Brilliant car, as above I've had a rear door Central locking failure, one MAF sensor (5 min job) and the battery is needing a change, but nothing major yet. Bought at 74k 3 years ago, now on 125k.
33mpg is what a friend with your exact car reports. She wasn't happy when she found out ours manages 50mpg+ on a run and £20 tax annually...
We've 2013 D3 (5cyl) SE. Brilliant car, as above I've had a rear door Central locking failure, one MAF sensor (5 min job) and the battery is needing a change, but nothing major yet. Bought at 74k 3 years ago, now on 125k.
33mpg is what a friend with your exact car reports. She wasn't happy when she found out ours manages 50mpg+ on a run and £20 tax annually...
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff