XC90 purchasing. What to watch for?

[scot850]

I'm considering perhaps looking at an XC90. Are there any particular issues to watch out for?

Should I avoid the V8 (Yamaha engine?) over a V6 or 5 cylinder?

Are any of the engines more prone to problems than others (turbos v's N/A)?

I've heard lots of scary issues with electrics, but are they any worse than say an XC70?

What about issues with wheel bearings and other driveline issues?

There has been a few for sale recently for low (ish) prices, but with transmission issues. There is a 2004 T6 with about 70k miles for sale with the trans stuck in 3rd gear. Selling for about $4.7k CDN. Body seems in good condition, and assuming having to replace the trans with a good used one, would that be possibly twice the purchase price (i.e. another $4k)?

Any advice is appreciated. I've had many Volvos over the last 40 years, currently running a 2000 V70R with 5 speed auto, and 2006 XC70.

Thanks, Neil.


Anything else?

I would have the local dealer inspect any vehicle, but no point wasting inspection fees if I can avoid a bad vehicle in the first instance.

[FLXC90]

Neil, I bought an 04 T6 last year, that's why I'm on forums now. The second day we owned, we got a Trans Service Urgent message on the driver info center. This is the blue screen of death for a T6. The trans is at the ragged edge of it's capabilities hauling this big beast around and living with 285 ft/lbs of torque. That is their Achilles' heel. I found a used service replacement trans from southern Vo-Vo for 1200 USD, and had it installed for another 2000. The V8s had some drivetrain issues, but not as severe.
The 2.5 you would probably find familiar, and the 3.2 seem to be pretty solid.

The sunroof drains clog, and flood the underfloor, especially where the DSTC yaw rate sensor sits. When that sensor dies, it takes out the rollover prevention, ABS, and AWD in one fell swoop. And the sensor is 500 USD. The drain elbows are probably 5 bucks each. If the alarm siren relay dies (when not if)it will disable the alarm and the sunroof. It's only 200. Other maladies seem to mirror the rest of the P2 chassis vehicles.

All that said, aside from the above, the only issues I've had with our XC have been, light bulbs (cheap and easy) a bad coil/misfire (easy) and just today, getting ready for a junkyard run for S70 parts, the dipstick handle came off in my hand (the blade was already out thank goodness).

I manage 20mpg on the hwy if I pedal a bit (at 70 mph) and it can be thirsty in town. But it is nice to ride in, solid as a tank, reassuring to let my wife and kids loose with to play in traffic, and I can use it to drag home other dead toys

[cn90]

Stay away from T6 (trans issue).

V8: be prepare to be your own mechanic.

There is a reason why the current XC90 is offered in only one engine the 3.2. They got rid of V8 and T6 engine. Now, why Volvo does not offer 2.5T in their XC90 in the US is beyond me. They still offer 2.5T in the XC90 elsewhere in the world.

I have the 2.5T and love it, since I already owned a 1998 S70 GLT and very familiar with the 5-cyl engines. Even if you buy the 2.5T, you still need to be your own mechanic.

[precopster]

The CEMs and DIMs are just as delicate on the XC90s as on the P2s.

These are expensive items at dealers though fortunately there are companies like XeModex and MVS member Doublebug that can assist in changing them over.

I've driven some low mileage XC90 2.5Ts and they are a little underpowered for my liking and suffer high fuel usage. The V8 has far more power when needed and has the same fuel usage (apparently even less on the highway) due to being more relaxed. The transmission on the V8 is the 6 speed which is very solid.

Lots of online help with the 2.5T and a wealth of knowledge in fixing them. Overall the scales may favour the V8 but it's a very personal thing.