XC90 v others?

[Legend83]

Wife and I have been thinking about all the possible estates that would suit us (A6 Avant, Legacy, Merc E Class, Mondeo) but we keep coming back to some sort of MPV/SUV type-thing.

Budget would be about £10k and my personal preference would be the Volvo XC90, probably the petrol 2.5T model as I don’t do massive mileage. For me, safety is the highest criteria with ferrying the kids around so you can’t go wrong with a massive Volvo!

Other possibles are the Honda CRV or the new Freelander 2, however neither of these have 7 seats which is appealing.

I have had a read up on the problems XC90s suffer from and would hope I could get an 06 reg onwards to try and avoid these – is there anything the 2.5T specifically suffers from?

Any comments on the other picks?

Any recommended alternatives?

Discounted:

- X5 (image, not as much space, expensive to maintain)
- Q5/7 (outside budget)
- Large Jap-wagons such as Pathfinder etc (wanted something not cheap/plasticky on the inside)

[Ozzie Osmond]

Legend83 said:

...we keep coming back to some sort of MPV/SUV type-thing.

They are a bit like an estate car ... but less good.

[Snowboy]

I’d say the XC90 is the best of the bunch on your list.

Personally, I’d prefer a Q7, but you’ve already discounted that one.
I did find the XC90 a bit gutless, but if you’re driving with kids you won’t be hammering it anyway.

[Bill]

Personally I'd (and I did) go for an SMax. Faster, better handling, more fuel efficient, lower tax (IIRC) than an SUV but at the expense of ride quality and the seats are a bit firm. I was genuinely impressed by its ability to cover the ground.

[anonymous-user]

Have you considered an Audi A6 allroad, Subaru Outback or a Mazda CX-7?

[edo]

Just helped some friends sell a T6 Xc90. Practically had to give the thing away despite it only having 45k on the clock.

If you dont do many miles you should be able to get a great deal on a petrol one since everyone wants the gutless (and not that economical) D5.

Personally I'd get an X5, Audi Allroad over one.

Note the servicing bills in the paperwork for the XC90 would not backup your assumption an X5 is more costly to maintain. Most of the services from Volvo seemed to be £1k, and one was £2k.

Edited by edo on Monday 23 April 14:56

[edo]

2003 BMW X5 3.0I SPORT 5DR AUTO

26,000 miles, Metallic Steel Grey, 2 Owners. Fantastic Spec Which Includes, Full Grey Dakota Leather, Electric Memory Seats, 19 Inch Alloy Wheels, Electric Glass Sunroof, Running Boards, Roof Rails, Dark Popular Wood Trim, Front And Rear Park Distance Control, Electric Folding Mirrors, Fitted Rubber Mat Set And Boot Liner, Electric Steering Column Adjust, Radio, CD Multichanger, BMW Factory Fitted Detachable Tow Bar, Air conditioning, Climate Control, Front armrest, Cruise control, Trip computer, Remote central locking, Multi function steering wheel, Isofix child seat anchor points, 3x3 point rear seat belts, Alarm, Immobiliser, Drivers airbag, Passenger airbag, Electric windows, ABS. Extremely Low Mileage, Full BMW Main Dealership Service History With The Same BMW Dealer And Just Two From New. Fantastic Car In Fantastic Condition.

£9,490

[ZesPak]

edo said:

2003 BMW X5 3.0I SPORT 5DR AUTO

26,000 miles, Metallic Steel Grey, 2 Owners. Fantastic Spec Which Includes, Full Grey Dakota Leather, Electric Memory Seats, 19 Inch Alloy Wheels, Electric Glass Sunroof, Running Boards, Roof Rails, Dark Popular Wood Trim, Front And Rear Park Distance Control, Electric Folding Mirrors, Fitted Rubber Mat Set And Boot Liner, Electric Steering Column Adjust, Radio, CD Multichanger, BMW Factory Fitted Detachable Tow Bar, Air conditioning, Climate Control, Front armrest, Cruise control, Trip computer, Remote central locking, Multi function steering wheel, Isofix child seat anchor points, 3x3 point rear seat belts, Alarm, Immobiliser, Drivers airbag, Passenger airbag, Electric windows, ABS. Extremely Low Mileage, Full BMW Main Dealership Service History With The Same BMW Dealer And Just Two From New. Fantastic Car In Fantastic Condition.

£9,490

2 owners @ 26 000 miles?

Oh And Why Is Every Freaking Word Capitalised?

Oh and if you don't need more than 5 seats (do you?) then why would you have an XC90 over for example the V70? Or an X5 over the 5-touring? Or an ML over an E-class? etc etc.

I'd go for the better handling, better mpg, cheaper estate any day of the week. Unless my house is in the middle of a lot of muddy fields, that is. Then I'd buy a big Jap suv. Pathfinder or the like.

Edited by ZesPak on Monday 23 April 15:04

[Dr Interceptor]

Why do you keep coming back to an SUV/4x4?

If I just wanted a safe car to move kids around, it'd be a 5-Series Touring - the X5 (and its rivals) would not get a consideration.

Dynamically they do not drive as well as the Estate Cars, I find the estate cars more comfortable, you don't have a big high boot to lift things up into and reaching the tailgate to close it is easier (how tall is the wife?), plus the estate car will be more economical.

[Legend83]

MonkeyMatt said:

Have you considered an Audi A6 allroad, Subaru Outback or a Mazda CX-7?

CX7 - really like but boot space is suprisingly poor.
Audi - an unjustifiable meh.
Subaru - again, I like (love the Legacy) but wife doesn't.

[edo]

2005 BMW 5 SERIES 545I SE 5DR AUTO LEATHER AND NAV 4.4

5 Doors, Automatic, Estate, Petrol, 60,000 miles, Metallic black. Actual Mileage 64,791 ABS, Air conditioning, Alloy wheels, Cruise control, Front armrest, Folding rear seats, Immobiliser, Passenger airbag, Rear armrest, Roof rails, Side airbags, Radio/CD, Rear headrests, Traction control, Metallic Paint, Front fog lights, Drivers airbag, Front electric windows, PAS, Rear wiper, Rear electric windows, Remote central locking, Leather seat trim, Height adjustable drivers seat, Electric door mirrors, 3x3 point rear seat belts, Trip computer, Electrically adjustable drivers seat, Heated door mirrors, Body coloured bumpers, Front head restraints, Service indicator, Alarm, Audio remote control, Isofix child seat anchor points, Reverse parking aid, Electrically adjustable passenger seat.
£8,495 p/x welcome

[Legend83]

edo said:

Just helped some friends sell a T6 Xc90. Practically had to give the thing away despite it only having 45k on the clock.

If you dont do many miles you should be able to get a great deal on a petrol one since everyone wants the gutless (and not that economical) D5.

Personally I'd get an X5, Audi Allroad over one.

Note the servicing bills in the paperwork for the XC90 would not backup your assumption an X5 is more costly to maintain. Most of the services from Volvo seemed to be £1k, and one was £2k.

Edited by edo on Monday 23 April 14:56

Were these service bills standard servicing or repairs? The XC90 has well-known issues. The T6 in particular eats the gearbox which might have accounted for the £2k bill?

I would be buying carefully.

Ok, maybe I should revisit the X5 - a nice example of what can be bought. However, I was not that impressed with the boot for the size of the vehicle (particularly given it does not have 7 seats).

[edo]

Legend83 said:

edo said:

Just helped some friends sell a T6 Xc90. Practically had to give the thing away despite it only having 45k on the clock.

If you dont do many miles you should be able to get a great deal on a petrol one since everyone wants the gutless (and not that economical) D5.

Personally I'd get an X5, Audi Allroad over one.

Note the servicing bills in the paperwork for the XC90 would not backup your assumption an X5 is more costly to maintain. Most of the services from Volvo seemed to be £1k, and one was £2k.

Edited by edo on Monday 23 April 14:56

Were these service bills standard servicing or repairs? The XC90 has well-known issues. The T6 in particular eats the gearbox which might have accounted for the £2k bill?

I would be buying carefully.

Ok, maybe I should revisit the X5 - a nice example of what can be bought. However, I was not that impressed with the boot for the size of the vehicle (particularly given it does not have 7 seats).

no major repairs on the bills I saw, not even tyres.

[Legend83]

Dr Interceptor said:

Why do you keep coming back to an SUV/4x4?

If I just wanted a safe car to move kids around, it'd be a 5-Series Touring - the X5 (and its rivals) would not get a consideration.

Dynamically they do not drive as well as the Estate Cars, I find the estate cars more comfortable, you don't have a big high boot to lift things up into and reaching the tailgate to close it is easier (how tall is the wife?), plus the estate car will be more economical.

Safety is our main criteria and I don't think there is much on the road safer than the XC90.

I agree with all you say about the actual driving and would prefer an estate from that point of view.

The other benefit of the XC90 is the 7 seats, which technically we don't 'need' but they would be useful.

[Legend83]

edo said:

no major repairs on the bills I saw, not even tyres.

Main stealer?

[edo]

Legend83 said:

edo said:

no major repairs on the bills I saw, not even tyres.

Main stealer?

yup.

[ZesPak]

Legend83 said:

Safety is our main criteria and I don't think there is much on the road safer than the XC90.

I agree with all you say about the actual driving and would prefer an estate from that point of view.

The other benefit of the XC90 is the 7 seats, which technically we don't 'need' but they would be useful.

Safety is about compatibility. If every one would stop buying those pointlessly high cars (seriously, "commanding position", how is it commanding when everyone is on the same height?), there would be no safety issue for a SUV-car interface.

Anyway, in all modern vehicles, st doesn't have to go BAD to have the need for an SUV over a big estate, no, st would have to go meteor-crashing-on-top-of-us bad to justify it for the "safety" thought.

Want safer than an XC90? I'll bet you just about anything that a Renault Espace would fly through it if you launch them at each other.

[Legend83]

edo said:

yup.

Nice 5-series. Tempting but a 530i would be my preferred compromise between performance and running costs.

Again, the boot is not massive though.

In case anyone doesn't already know, we have 8 month year old twins with all the associated paraphernalia. I know people will say that the amount of stuff we need to ferry around won't be so much as they get older, but this purchase is to cover all eventualities - holidays, transporting multiple kids, school runs, carrying furniture / large kiddy items / bikes, etc etc.

[anonymous-user]

Legend83 said:

Nice 5-series. Tempting but a 530i would be my preferred compromise between performance and running costs.

Again, the boot is not massive though.

In case anyone doesn't already know, we have 8 month year old twins with all the associated paraphernalia. I know people will say that the amount of stuff we need to ferry around won't be so much as they get older, but this purchase is to cover all eventualities - holidays, transporting multiple kids, school runs, carrying furniture / large kiddy items / bikes, etc etc.

Maybe an R-Class would be a good bet!

[GreatGranny]

edo said:

yup.

Legend - as you know I've just put a deposit on a D5. Looked through the service receipts and there wasn't anything that stood out. They were all main dealer and averaged approx. £500. Thats for a full service + other bits and pieces, eg. replacement of trim, windsreen wipers, paint touch up etc..

I'm getting a warranty on mine supplied by the dealer which I know doesn't cover everything and has a limit of £1000 per claim but it will soften the blow and they will do a lifetime cover for what I thought was pretty reasonable.

Its well kown that the X5 rides and handles better and an estate will do almost the same job but personally I needed 7 seats and a decent tow vehicle and didn't want another MPV. The XC90 is probably the best at being all those.