Tell me about the XC90....

[Nigel_O]

Struggling to find an R-design with low enough mileage within budget, so I’m extending the possibilities to an ML350cdi or possibly an X5

[wiliferus]

Nigel_O said:

Struggling to find an R-design with low enough mileage within budget, so I’m extending the possibilities to an ML350cdi or possibly an X5

Don’t write off the XC90 because you can’t find an r design. I’ve got an executive and it’s a handsome beast on 19s. Also has all the toys.
At the budget I had, I could either have a top spec low mileage xc90, or a much higher mileage poverty spec X5.

[47p2]

Sawan advert today for a 2009 SE manual for £6500

[rat840771]

I went to look at an 54 plate XC90 the other week. It had 99K, manual, up for £2200, which I thought was a very good price.

But god it was a beast next to my S60, we couldn't justify the cost in fuel it also had limited leg room.

Also being so heavy it was a bit sluggish.

[wiliferus]

As much as I’m a big fan of the xc90, a £2k XC90 would take big balls. Mk1s of that vintage can throw big bills that would easily write it off.
I’ve never driven a 163, but I have a 197 and I wouldn’t want one with much less power if I’m honest. I had a 163 V70 manual and that was a lovely drive, but the power is best described as sufficient. I’m not sure I’d have wanted it hauling around another 600kgs and powering a 4wd drivetrain.

[aaron_2000]

wiliferus said:

As much as I’m a big fan of the xc90, a £2k XC90 would take big balls. Mk1s of that vintage can throw big bills that would easily write it off.
I’ve never driven a 163, but I have a 197 and I wouldn’t want one with much less power if I’m honest. I had a 163 V70 manual and that was a lovely drive, but the power is best described as sufficient. I’m not sure I’d have wanted it hauling around another 600kgs and powering a 4wd drivetrain.

We test drove the 185 in 2012, it was pretty damn gutless. Unless you need something close to a people carrier, it seems pretty unrefined. I'd imagine the Executive being better.

[wiliferus]

aaron_2000 said:

wiliferus said:

As much as I’m a big fan of the xc90, a £2k XC90 would take big balls. Mk1s of that vintage can throw big bills that would easily write it off.
I’ve never driven a 163, but I have a 197 and I wouldn’t want one with much less power if I’m honest. I had a 163 V70 manual and that was a lovely drive, but the power is best described as sufficient. I’m not sure I’d have wanted it hauling around another 600kgs and powering a 4wd drivetrain.

We test drove the 185 in 2012, it was pretty damn gutless. Unless you need something close to a people carrier, it seems pretty unrefined. I'd imagine the Executive being better.

Yea, the Executive is a lovely thing, but in true PH style, I’ll describe as wafty. I had a remap to about 235bhp and 350ft/lbs, which has made it much more driveable and the midrange is now useable for overtakes and pressing on if needs be.
I see the XC90 as an alternative to a hateful people carrier, but not as hardcore as a Landcruiser or Disco. I’m happy with all the compromises, as it does everything I need it to.

[aaron_2000]

wiliferus said:

Yea, the Executive is a lovely thing, but in true PH style, I’ll describe as wafty. I had a remap to about 235bhp and 350ft/lbs, which has made it much more driveable and the midrange is now useable for overtakes and pressing on if needs be.
I see the XC90 as an alternative to a hateful people carrier, but not as hardcore as a Landcruiser or Disco. I’m happy with all the compromises, as it does everything I need it to.

That's dead on how I see it, it's a much better car for a large family than say an ML or X5

[Register1]

Nigel_O said:

Thanks for the feedback chaps

The R-Design fell through (dealer backed out of buying it from the Volvo main dealer as it wasn't good enough)

Still looking....

Beginning to wonder if a Merc ML350 is a viable alternative

This would be more in line where my money would go.

Petrol V6, smooth as silk

Plenty of oomf

R1

[threadlock]

Register1 said:

Nigel_O said:

Beginning to wonder if a Merc ML350 is a viable alternative

This would be more in line where my money would go.

I couldn't put up with the image of a Merc SUV. The Volvo is wonderfully class-less.

[wiliferus]

threadlock said:

I couldn't put up with the image of a Merc SUV. The Volvo is wonderfully class-less.

Exactly this. They’re almost anonymous. I still get let out of side junctions, I’m pretty sure no one sees a Volvo and thinks ‘Tosser’. It not a brand people will naturally aspire to own, yet you can waft around in premium standard comfort.
I did consider an X5 (see above) and also an ML. Both had advantages over the XC, but also had big disadvantages. The XC for me was the sweet spot of VFM, comfort, spec, refinement, and space.

[Nigel_O]

Well - after much deliberation between the XC90 and the Merc ML, we’ve gone and bought.....

A 2012 XC60

SE Lux in white with ivory leather and all the usual toys - drives very well - far smoother than the XC90 we drove last weekend

As mentioned above, we really started to struggle with the Merc’s image and I’m massively surprised with the Volvo’s build quality

Wifey is chuffed and it means I get a decent ride with my two lads for LeMans in June

[aaron_2000]

Nigel_O said:

Well - after much deliberation between the XC90 and the Merc ML, we’ve gone and bought.....

A 2012 XC60

SE Lux in white with ivory leather and all the usual toys - drives very well - far smoother than the XC90 we drove last weekend

As mentioned above, we really started to struggle with the Merc’s image and I’m massively surprised with the Volvo’s build quality

Wifey is chuffed and it means I get a decent ride with my two lads for LeMans in June

Good buy, I always thought the XC60 was a nicer looking car. Get a pic up

[Register1]

Can you please describe what made you go for the Volvo?

I am also torn between the

1, MB ML 280 or ML 320
2, XC90

and my

3rd (my favourite) is the Toyota Land Cruiser Amazon

R1

[Nigel_O]

Register1 said:

Can you please describe what made you go for the Volvo?

Image (or more precisely, the lack of negative connotations). As somebody mentioned earlier, the Volvo doesn’t seem to suffer from some of the image issues of the Merc, BMW and Audi SUVs.

However, after driving the XC60, I was hugely impressed by the quality. Very close to the Germans, if not their equal.

Finally, because it’s not German, we got newer and less mileage than we would have if we’d gone for the Merc

I have to say though, the 60 is a far nicer drive than the 90 - probably because it’s a newer design and has less off-road pretensions

[Murph7355]

Nigel_O said:

...
I have to say though, the 60 is a far nicer drive than the 90 - probably because it’s a newer design and has less off-road pretensions

It's also significantly smaller.

Register1 said:

Can you please describe what made you go for the Volvo?
...
3rd (my favourite) is the Toyota Land Cruiser Amazon
...

These are great IMO. But will be older and more leggy, and are a good bit more bus like...so other halves would typically be less keen.

If I were driving across Africa, no contest. For my Mrs to take the kids to school in, park at Tescos etc...a harder sell.

[OGR4M]

Murph7355 said:

It's also significantly smaller

According to some google, the dimensions compared to the 90 are 9mm narrower, 118mm less tall, and 261mm shorter.

Google also states that the difference in boot capacity is rather cavernous. The 60 has 635 litres to the roof with seats up, the 90 has 1,102! And if you put the other seats down in the 90, that increases to 1,951 vs 1,432.

Also leg room is reduced, predictably, so whilst it says 3 adults can fit in the back, they’d probably be good friends by the end of the journey.

ETA: OP, put it this way, the difference between the 60 and 90 with the seats up is bigger than the entire load capacity of the 159 we took the LM24 last year(!)

Edited by OGR4M on Wednesday 28th February 02:31