I messed up so looking at V70 3.2 SE vs 2.5t

[Hifly130]

Hello

I stupidly bought a Megane RS thinking I could use it to tow a trailer for my track car. I got misled by a site that seemed to suggest it could. In a way it’s been a fun mistake as the Megane RS is a great car and enjoyed it but do miss having a quick estate for the practical stuff.

I basically need something interesting to tow my track car and for my 30 mile daily commute and up to £8k max. Ideally ULEZ ( but not essential) and really like fuel over 25mpg and either manual or auto. Does not need to be AWD. I came across these and never had a Volvo.

I’ve seen a V70 T5 (09) and a 3.2 SE (07) on AT interestingly both Japanese imports. Does anyone know which of these would be the most reliable and any real world mpg?

I was initially going for the V70/V60 diesel euro 6 2014/15 but been put off by engine issues with oil burn and carbon deposits or is this overstated?

[47p2]

You will need to check that the Japanese imports are capable of towing. I've read of numerous owners of import cars that are unable to tow because of the different specifications required

[norchi]

You will not go wrong with an older Volvo with the 5 pot or 6 pot engines in their various forms: diesel or petrol, turbocharged or NA. The cars to avoid like the plague are those with the current 4 pot in any form.
Your best bet is to check in at the Volvo Owners Club site where you will find so much valuable advice and recorded experience of owning and running proper Volvos designed and built in Sweden and elsewhere in Europe. I have no experience of the ownership of right hand drive cars brought in from Japan and elsewhere.

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/index.php

Edited by norchi on Wednesday 12th February 12:21

[Hifly130]

Thanks for your answers.

47p2 that’s a good heads up as don’t won’t to make the same mistake twice!

Norchi. It’s such a shame the 5 pot diesel isn’t euro 6. I’m still waying up whether to go for an older V70 petrol 5 pot ( but higher road tax) or go for a D5 and the very occasional times I go into a ULEZ I just pay. I’ll check out the Volvo forum.

[47p2]

Get yourself a P2 2000-2006 model V70 petrol which are available in 2.5N/A, 2.4T, 2.5T, T5 and R guise

I have a MY2006 2.5T and it's an awesome car which you can read about in this link https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[norchi]

Another point worth making is to check whether the vehicle you may consider has the Volvo M66 manual gearbox or the AW auto. If an auto you must bear in mind that the fluid needs to be changed at around the 90,000 point or indeed sooner and regularly. Worth checking the history before purchase. The fluid change involves a flush with a full shot of genuine Volvo oil and then full fresh refill to go, not cheap but a must for longevity. That will ensure that the auto box lasts the full life of the engine... 300,000 miles plus, plus with all the required oil and filter changes..... this is all original Volvo Swedish design and manufacture... not chinese. In period these engines and gearboxes were fitted in some Ford products as well.... Mondeo and Focus.... a couple of Renaults too.

Edited by norchi on Thursday 13th February 12:35

[Hifly130]

47p2. Had a look at your thread. I’ll have a look into the older generation a bit more. I do prefer the more modern generation but it would definitely get round the ULEZ issue.

Norchi

I watch High Peak Autos on YouTube and the car dealer on that seems to stress often about changing the gearbox oil. I think there was one Wheeler Dealer episode where the bought a Boxster cheap because the owner thought it had a failed gearbox. Turns out was purely gearbox oil needed replacing. Will keep a look out for it in the history. All the cars I’m looking at wil be over 100k miles.

[Davie]

Given the brief, I'd be swaying towards a P3 XC70 be it manual or auto and probably the D5 be it the 185bhp or the latter 205bhp, though the former is less complex. An XC70 will tow up to 2400kgs in certain guises. Pretty accomplished tow cars, ridiculously comfortable too and their AWD and auto boxes are much improved over previous incarnations. 3.2 is a very rare car, but if you want petrol you'd be as well going all in with a T6 be it in V70 or XC70 guise but might be hard getting at good one at the budget. That said, thirsty big petrol barges are maybe a tougher sell so might be bargains out there.