XC90 D5 & RT Mechanics and Rica tuning
Discussion
This is a first posting on the Volvo forum for me, but I first heard about Russ and RT Mechnaics here, so what better place to leave feedback.
I took my wife's new to us 04 plate D5 XC90 to Russ on Monday for a 12000 mile service and general checkover. Having only talked to Russ on the phone, it was a pleasure to meet him. I appreciated the personal service that is really only available from a small independent. His appraisal of the car was bang on the money and picked up the wear items I was already aware of plus a couple of others, principally, the broken top engine mount that accounted for the knocking or clunking I could hear and also feel thru the steering. Having done a little wrenching on other cars and having crawled under the Volvo before purchase, I had a reasonable idea of what it needed and was reassured that nothing was exaggerated or invented.
As the engine mount was fixed for £38 parts plus 30 mins labour and nothing else untoward was discovered, this left room in the budget for the Rica tuning. Given the std 163hp D5 hardly sets the world alight, there is plenty of room for improvement. Impressions? The car certainly feels stronger in a number of respects. I had a 40+ mile drive home yesterday with roads varying from single track to 6 lane M23 and lots of roundabout puntuated single and dual carriageways. There is no doubt that when you use full acceleration, its significantly quicker - I had 2 overtakes on single carriageways that felt safer and swifter plus plenty of opportunity to accelerate hard away from roundabouts - but perhaps more impressive is part throttle performance and the ability to hold on to speed up inclines without having to sink the right foot. Its hardly rocket science, but I would suspect the real gains form this type of tuning are in the midrange and in the area under the torque curve making a much more drivable package (now if it had a 6 speed auto as well.... ).
Perhaps proof of the pudding is the measured (on the trip computer) increase in fuel economy. Over our 3 months of ownership we have seen economy hover around 28-28.5mpg. I was able to average a fraction over 35mpg on the drive home. Not in anyway a definitive test but its encouraging. I will see where the number settles to after a couple of weeks of my wife driving (she drives slower than me but seems unable to eek out the same economy perversely). When I first collected the car I measured my economy over a similar mixed bag of roads and ended up with an average of 26mpg - albeit I did drive it a little harder.
So, the Rica tuning doesn't make a sports car out of the heavy old XC90 but it makes it acceptable. My frame of reference is an 80s 911 track car and a twin turbo Audi estate (our other cars) - and I am quite happy to drive the Volvo.
I am not connected to Russ or RT in anyway but good service and a good product deserves a mention.
Richard
I took my wife's new to us 04 plate D5 XC90 to Russ on Monday for a 12000 mile service and general checkover. Having only talked to Russ on the phone, it was a pleasure to meet him. I appreciated the personal service that is really only available from a small independent. His appraisal of the car was bang on the money and picked up the wear items I was already aware of plus a couple of others, principally, the broken top engine mount that accounted for the knocking or clunking I could hear and also feel thru the steering. Having done a little wrenching on other cars and having crawled under the Volvo before purchase, I had a reasonable idea of what it needed and was reassured that nothing was exaggerated or invented.
As the engine mount was fixed for £38 parts plus 30 mins labour and nothing else untoward was discovered, this left room in the budget for the Rica tuning. Given the std 163hp D5 hardly sets the world alight, there is plenty of room for improvement. Impressions? The car certainly feels stronger in a number of respects. I had a 40+ mile drive home yesterday with roads varying from single track to 6 lane M23 and lots of roundabout puntuated single and dual carriageways. There is no doubt that when you use full acceleration, its significantly quicker - I had 2 overtakes on single carriageways that felt safer and swifter plus plenty of opportunity to accelerate hard away from roundabouts - but perhaps more impressive is part throttle performance and the ability to hold on to speed up inclines without having to sink the right foot. Its hardly rocket science, but I would suspect the real gains form this type of tuning are in the midrange and in the area under the torque curve making a much more drivable package (now if it had a 6 speed auto as well.... ).
Perhaps proof of the pudding is the measured (on the trip computer) increase in fuel economy. Over our 3 months of ownership we have seen economy hover around 28-28.5mpg. I was able to average a fraction over 35mpg on the drive home. Not in anyway a definitive test but its encouraging. I will see where the number settles to after a couple of weeks of my wife driving (she drives slower than me but seems unable to eek out the same economy perversely). When I first collected the car I measured my economy over a similar mixed bag of roads and ended up with an average of 26mpg - albeit I did drive it a little harder.
So, the Rica tuning doesn't make a sports car out of the heavy old XC90 but it makes it acceptable. My frame of reference is an 80s 911 track car and a twin turbo Audi estate (our other cars) - and I am quite happy to drive the Volvo.
I am not connected to Russ or RT in anyway but good service and a good product deserves a mention.
Richard
On the back of much research, not insignificantly that offered by fellow PHers, I bought a RICA PPC unit from rmt and the results have been as promised.
The added torque makes driving the XC90 more of a pleasure than a chore and it really does make a significant difference to the way the car makes progress. And, in the first week, fuel consumption has increased from 29/30mpg to 35/36mpg, so by my reckoning the unit will have paid for itself in saved fuel in less than a year.
Russ answered all the questions I had and provided an excellent service - would recommend to anyone considering a remap for a D5.
The added torque makes driving the XC90 more of a pleasure than a chore and it really does make a significant difference to the way the car makes progress. And, in the first week, fuel consumption has increased from 29/30mpg to 35/36mpg, so by my reckoning the unit will have paid for itself in saved fuel in less than a year.
Russ answered all the questions I had and provided an excellent service - would recommend to anyone considering a remap for a D5.
Darlo74 said:
On the back of much research, not insignificantly that offered by fellow PHers, I bought a RICA PPC unit from rmt and the results have been as promised.
The added torque makes driving the XC90 more of a pleasure than a chore and it really does make a significant difference to the way the car makes progress. And, in the first week, fuel consumption has increased from 29/30mpg to 35/36mpg, so by my reckoning the unit will have paid for itself in saved fuel in less than a year.
Russ answered all the questions I had and provided an excellent service - would recommend to anyone considering a remap for a D5.
Hi Darlo74 The added torque makes driving the XC90 more of a pleasure than a chore and it really does make a significant difference to the way the car makes progress. And, in the first week, fuel consumption has increased from 29/30mpg to 35/36mpg, so by my reckoning the unit will have paid for itself in saved fuel in less than a year.
Russ answered all the questions I had and provided an excellent service - would recommend to anyone considering a remap for a D5.
Thanks for your kind words another happy customer
Enjoy your car Russ
After a long fast trip to Switzerland and a lot of slow up and down in Switzerland plus some light off roading, I am at 32mpg.
It seems that 90-95mph is a natural cruise with 100mph quite easy though much less economical. I don't know what the top speed is for a D5 but I briefly cruised at 110mph when I was in a hurry. If you drop it back to 80-85mph then I saw instant mpg of 35-40 on the trip computer. I think that is pretty useful for a big loaded truck with 2 adults + 2 kids and lots of kit.
Best things for me are that you can sit in the autoroute fast lane and only rarely have to pull over, maintaining 90mph up hills in the overtaking lane without having to completely floor it and safe overtaking on single carriage roads. My mates in a V6 Cayenne and TT Cayenne cannot better 19mpg and 12mpg and point to point are no faster - and they are depreciating like made.
I would guess the impact on a 185hp D5 is much less dramatic.
It seems that 90-95mph is a natural cruise with 100mph quite easy though much less economical. I don't know what the top speed is for a D5 but I briefly cruised at 110mph when I was in a hurry. If you drop it back to 80-85mph then I saw instant mpg of 35-40 on the trip computer. I think that is pretty useful for a big loaded truck with 2 adults + 2 kids and lots of kit.
Best things for me are that you can sit in the autoroute fast lane and only rarely have to pull over, maintaining 90mph up hills in the overtaking lane without having to completely floor it and safe overtaking on single carriage roads. My mates in a V6 Cayenne and TT Cayenne cannot better 19mpg and 12mpg and point to point are no faster - and they are depreciating like made.
I would guess the impact on a 185hp D5 is much less dramatic.
JamesK said:
This makes interesting reading as the XC90 is dropping to tempting price levels at the moment. Can I enquire how much the chip is all in?
Hi James Just seen this ;-) The Rica PPC unit is £485.00 inc vat and next day recorded delivery if you need any further info or advise please call me 01428 722144.
We do offer a full money back guarantee as well and give you full support
Russ
www.rtmechanics.co.uk
boxster9 said:
Is there a chip available for the XC90 T6 '03 model. What level of improvement in terms of fuel economy BHP can you expect.
Hi Boxster9 We can help you with your T6 upgrade have a look on :
www.rica-uk.com/tuning.aspx
Or give me a call at work 01428 722144
Russ
www.rtmechanics.co.uk
stripy7 said:
Is the RICA unit for an 02 D5 V70 a plug in unit as well? IE is it a DIY job?
Hi Stripy7 The Rica ppc unit is for all V70/S60/S80/C70/V50/S40 models from 2000 onwards
Its a very easy diy job it comes with full instructions and great over the phone help if needed ;-)Russ
www.rtmechanics.co.uk
Edited by ilovevolvo on Sunday 21st September 07:48
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