D5 how reliable???
Discussion
Mega bump
I am looking to change my 1.2 Punto with something else because I fancy a change but can't afford hat I really want yet due to a number of factors. However, I would only chop in the Punto if I can find the right replacement.
I have been looking at both petrol and diesel Volvos but have read recently some horror stories about reliability of the phase 2 diesels.
8 years from the start of the thread and 3 years from the latest posts, have people's experiences changed? Is the consensus still that D5s and 2.4Ds are super reliable?
I am looking to change my 1.2 Punto with something else because I fancy a change but can't afford hat I really want yet due to a number of factors. However, I would only chop in the Punto if I can find the right replacement.
I have been looking at both petrol and diesel Volvos but have read recently some horror stories about reliability of the phase 2 diesels.
8 years from the start of the thread and 3 years from the latest posts, have people's experiences changed? Is the consensus still that D5s and 2.4Ds are super reliable?
We have a 2004 pre facelift V70 D5 with 211k on it, we tow our bloody massive caravan with it, its a bloody great car, we've updated the brakes for the XC90 set up, appreciate these are getting long in the tooth now, id go for a decent pre facelift 163bhp manual with full history obs.
The later euro 4 suffer with dpf issues, we get early 40s around town 30mpg towing and late 50s solo on a run.
Not the quickest car in the world but fairly punchy, nice 5 pot growl. Comfy as hell, but a little choppy ride as we have the 18" Pegs from a V70R on it.
Under rated car right here. But I guess people can't get over the volvo snobbery in many respects.
The later euro 4 suffer with dpf issues, we get early 40s around town 30mpg towing and late 50s solo on a run.
Not the quickest car in the world but fairly punchy, nice 5 pot growl. Comfy as hell, but a little choppy ride as we have the 18" Pegs from a V70R on it.
Under rated car right here. But I guess people can't get over the volvo snobbery in many respects.
850R said:
We have a 2004 pre facelift V70 D5 with 211k on it, we tow our bloody massive caravan with it, its a bloody great car, we've updated the brakes for the XC90 set up, appreciate these are getting long in the tooth now, id go for a decent pre facelift 163bhp manual with full history obs.
The later euro 4 suffer with dpf issues, we get early 40s around town 30mpg towing and late 50s solo on a run.
Not the quickest car in the world but fairly punchy, nice 5 pot growl. Comfy as hell, but a little choppy ride as we have the 18" Pegs from a V70R on it.
Under rated car right here. But I guess people can't get over the volvo snobbery in many respects.
Thought that would be the case!The later euro 4 suffer with dpf issues, we get early 40s around town 30mpg towing and late 50s solo on a run.
Not the quickest car in the world but fairly punchy, nice 5 pot growl. Comfy as hell, but a little choppy ride as we have the 18" Pegs from a V70R on it.
Under rated car right here. But I guess people can't get over the volvo snobbery in many respects.
Was asking precisely because the horror stories I had heard were about post-facelift EuroIV models.
To be honest, power is not at the top of my list at the moment. Coming from a 80bhp Punto, double that figure would already feel very powerful. Plus they seem to be very mappable if I decided to go that way.
Thanks for that, now just a matter of seeing what the classified sites have to offer!
Both can be mapped but be weary of who maps them
Polestar do a map but comes at a premium, if it was me I'd just ensure it runs perfectly as standard before you going playing with it, I know the petrol varieties for example our 850R (I know is older) and a different Animal, required a stage 0 before we did any tuning, mapping etc
The 163 is plenty punchy enough,some nice upgrades out there, 320mm T5 setup is a nice braking upgrade,so is the XC90 big brake upgrade too that we run. If it has the HU-850 stereo you are laughing too, it has Dolby and the sound system is very very good, volvo also did a OE 10" JBL sub and amp that fits into the sparewheel well, wiring etc should already be present, it's a rare find but well worth it.
Polestar do a map but comes at a premium, if it was me I'd just ensure it runs perfectly as standard before you going playing with it, I know the petrol varieties for example our 850R (I know is older) and a different Animal, required a stage 0 before we did any tuning, mapping etc
The 163 is plenty punchy enough,some nice upgrades out there, 320mm T5 setup is a nice braking upgrade,so is the XC90 big brake upgrade too that we run. If it has the HU-850 stereo you are laughing too, it has Dolby and the sound system is very very good, volvo also did a OE 10" JBL sub and amp that fits into the sparewheel well, wiring etc should already be present, it's a rare find but well worth it.
850R said:
Both can be mapped but be weary of who maps them
Polestar do a map but comes at a premium, if it was me I'd just ensure it runs perfectly as standard before you going playing with it, I know the petrol varieties for example our 850R (I know is older) and a different Animal, required a stage 0 before we did any tuning, mapping etc
The 163 is plenty punchy enough,some nice upgrades out there, 320mm T5 setup is a nice braking upgrade,so is the XC90 big brake upgrade too that we run. If it has the HU-850 stereo you are laughing too, it has Dolby and the sound system is very very good, volvo also did a OE 10" JBL sub and amp that fits into the sparewheel well, wiring etc should already be present, it's a rare find but well worth it.
Mapping wouldn't come until later on due to insurance reasons but definitely more of a making sure it handles well kind of guy.Polestar do a map but comes at a premium, if it was me I'd just ensure it runs perfectly as standard before you going playing with it, I know the petrol varieties for example our 850R (I know is older) and a different Animal, required a stage 0 before we did any tuning, mapping etc
The 163 is plenty punchy enough,some nice upgrades out there, 320mm T5 setup is a nice braking upgrade,so is the XC90 big brake upgrade too that we run. If it has the HU-850 stereo you are laughing too, it has Dolby and the sound system is very very good, volvo also did a OE 10" JBL sub and amp that fits into the sparewheel well, wiring etc should already be present, it's a rare find but well worth it.
Take it the XC90 brakes are a straight swap? And did hear about how good Volvo speakers are.
To be honest, between reliability, comfort and going power, I am struggling to find anything else that ticks the right boxes for me. Plus, the more I read about D5s and T5s, the more it seems that whoever has/had one has a very disturbing attachment to them
Yes they do have a special following indeed (like all models) we have the V70D5 a concours 855R and an ex firearms V70 T5 which is an animal
The XC90 is a simple enough if not tottally straight forward Job, happy to talk you through it and have a monster 336mm fronts, they are bigger then a standard V70R set up
If I can help you out I've a set of 320mm T5 set up including new discs and pads callipers and carriers, again these should be plenty man enough as I think the standard D5 are 286mm but again I could be wrong
The XC90 is a simple enough if not tottally straight forward Job, happy to talk you through it and have a monster 336mm fronts, they are bigger then a standard V70R set up
If I can help you out I've a set of 320mm T5 set up including new discs and pads callipers and carriers, again these should be plenty man enough as I think the standard D5 are 286mm but again I could be wrong
BlameItOnGT2 said:
Plus, the more I read about D5s and T5s, the more it seems that whoever has/had one has a very disturbing attachment to them
Yup! I’ve had a V70 pre facelift 2.4t, a facelift V70 D5 163 manual and now an XC90 D5 197.
Volvos get under your skin. I can’t see me owning any other brand for a fair while.
wiliferus said:
BlameItOnGT2 said:
Plus, the more I read about D5s and T5s, the more it seems that whoever has/had one has a very disturbing attachment to them
Yup! I’ve had a V70 pre facelift 2.4t, a facelift V70 D5 163 manual and now an XC90 D5 197.
Volvos get under your skin. I can’t see me owning any other brand for a fair while.
Regarding reliably, there was a 650k plus example change hands a few weeks ago.
For the OP if you know your way around a car....and it looks like you do, then any one will be ok I love my 1999 V70 2.5d only on 222k, I have always had it serviced when required at 10k intervals
Just failed an MOT for lower wishbone link....well it is 19 years old, and an advisory for a link arm on the other side....both done and now passed for £214 including the MOT/retest...happy days...wife loves it as her daily driver and she does about 15k a year in it. Cheap on the fuel, only issues were about 5/6 years ago with an oil leak that eventually was sorted (main dealer in the end) and a new rear window about 10 years ago as the alarm was faulty
I am sad they don't make the V70 any more as the new monster lovely V90 is way above our price range....and one day our beauty may have to go to car heaven!
As a grease monkey, you will know what your looking at and will love it when you pull the trigger....they do everything....out posh, dogs, dump, Ikea, and supposed to be alright in a crunch!
Just failed an MOT for lower wishbone link....well it is 19 years old, and an advisory for a link arm on the other side....both done and now passed for £214 including the MOT/retest...happy days...wife loves it as her daily driver and she does about 15k a year in it. Cheap on the fuel, only issues were about 5/6 years ago with an oil leak that eventually was sorted (main dealer in the end) and a new rear window about 10 years ago as the alarm was faulty
I am sad they don't make the V70 any more as the new monster lovely V90 is way above our price range....and one day our beauty may have to go to car heaven!
As a grease monkey, you will know what your looking at and will love it when you pull the trigger....they do everything....out posh, dogs, dump, Ikea, and supposed to be alright in a crunch!
C30d5 Grunty engine as standard, turbo pull from approx. 1700rpm. Change oil regularly. Mapped mine to 210bhp but 365ftlb torque. Pull in 3rd through to 6th really good. 1 - 2 gears too short ( Diesel).
Done 7000 miles on mapped engine with no problems. Other than normal servicing and changed all belts. Done 20000 in total.
As with all cars, each has its weaknesses but generally D5 is a safe bet.
Manual preferred, they dropped the torque in the lower gears on the auto ( Geartronic) so may be hinting that there not totally confident. If you are thinking of tuning stay with a manual.
Cheers
K
Done 7000 miles on mapped engine with no problems. Other than normal servicing and changed all belts. Done 20000 in total.
As with all cars, each has its weaknesses but generally D5 is a safe bet.
Manual preferred, they dropped the torque in the lower gears on the auto ( Geartronic) so may be hinting that there not totally confident. If you are thinking of tuning stay with a manual.
Cheers
K
I love my Volvos and I absolutely loved my D5 V70 (year 2011). But I just checked it's MOT history since I got rid of it and it has failed 3 MOTs and a couple of advisories since I got rid!
Either the current owner has not been caring for it or Volvo's reliability are as bad as reported.
Either the current owner has not been caring for it or Volvo's reliability are as bad as reported.
MYOB said:
I love my Volvos and I absolutely loved my D5 V70 (year 2011). But I just checked it's MOT history since I got rid of it and it has failed 3 MOTs and a couple of advisories since I got rid!
Either the current owner has not been caring for it or Volvo's reliability are as bad as reported.
HiEither the current owner has not been caring for it or Volvo's reliability are as bad as reported.
3 mots means its been out of your hands for over 3 years. It could of just failed just on a suspect tyre for instance. How was it when you had it? that gives a better idea of the car.
K
KAC30 said:
Hi
3 mots means its been out of your hands for over 3 years. It could of just failed just on a suspect tyre for instance. How was it when you had it? that gives a better idea of the car.
K
It's a 2011 model and I got rid of it 4 years ago. It failed twice on brake pads wearing out (which ought to have been picked up during the annual service but suspect it hasn't been serviced properly), and once on the rear passenger door not being possible to open. Again, who takes their car to an MOT when a door cannot be opened.3 mots means its been out of your hands for over 3 years. It could of just failed just on a suspect tyre for instance. How was it when you had it? that gives a better idea of the car.
K
I have had numerous failures with door locks on my Volvos over the years, some that were covered by warranty. I have had a dmf/clutch failure, and other issues. All my Volvos were fairly new but the dmf failure occurred just outside of the 3-year warranty period.
as for the V70 D5 - it was a beaut. Not very economical and heavy on the brakes (frequent pads and discs replacements which weren't cheap) and tyres. But I was doing approx 20k p.a. which isn't a huge amount but I felt the effect on my wallet with the D5.
I have always regretted selling it but one mustn't be disillusioned regarding Volvo's reliabilities. But I accept these foibles apply to all manufacturers.
You had the P3 V70, basically a mondeo, the P2 was the last of the proper Volvo's, needing new discs and pads after 20k isn't I would have thought a car specific issue, we've just done 25k on our 2004 P2 D5 and bearing in mind tow with it too. Circa 1700kg, we still have 8mm of pad on the front (new pads are 12mm) the 18" Pirelli Pzero Nero have 4mm on so if driven correctly aren't any harder than any other car in wear and tear items, needing new discs and pads after 20k isn't the norm in my opinion.
At 115k it is just run in.
Mine has been faultless in the last 70k and 6 years.
Swirl arm has broken, I did do a repair with welding wire, but it has broken again and I have just left it and the fuel consumption has improved. Got 650 to my last tank (48mpg). I just don’t rev it above 3k in 5th or 6th.
Went to see an s90 r design today with 20inch wheels, wow what a lovely car that is and very tempted
Mine has been faultless in the last 70k and 6 years.
Swirl arm has broken, I did do a repair with welding wire, but it has broken again and I have just left it and the fuel consumption has improved. Got 650 to my last tank (48mpg). I just don’t rev it above 3k in 5th or 6th.
Went to see an s90 r design today with 20inch wheels, wow what a lovely car that is and very tempted
I have a c30 D5. I had a MCS before which was fun but i dont miss the fear of it breaking everytime i give it some.
The C30 is great, pulls like a train. I suspect a boost leak but i cant find it. Ill take it on for a smoke test.
The downside which may not be so much of an issue on bigger volvos is the turning circle. With the wide engine the turning circle is limited. Reverse parking can be embarrassing at times.
The C30 is great, pulls like a train. I suspect a boost leak but i cant find it. Ill take it on for a smoke test.
The downside which may not be so much of an issue on bigger volvos is the turning circle. With the wide engine the turning circle is limited. Reverse parking can be embarrassing at times.
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