Which year and engine config is "most reliable"?

mika · Post by **mika** » 21 Aug 2015, 10:34

I am mostly a p80 guy, but having a larger vehicle sounds great for the winter...

Despite reading numerous threads, I am still not finding a general consensus: which engine configuration and year range is an IDEAL candidate for a potential purchase?

If this has been answered before, please link me to the thread as I was unable to find it myself. Thank you

Post by **kallekula** » 21 Aug 2015, 11:14

Volvo 240 is considered by many as the best car Volvo ever built. Practically indestructable. Some year models had problem with the main wire loom though, dunno what years.
Car isn't pretty but is dirt cheap to own and repair.

Post by **FLXC90** » 21 Aug 2015, 13:37

Since this is in the XC90 forum, I presume you mean within the XC90 realm...03-06 T6 AWD have a deserved rep for trans failures, mine the day after I bought it used. V8 models had some issues with balance shafts and transmissions. Five cylinder models and 3.2s seem pretty fair. If I were looking for another one I would probably pursue a late 2.5 or 3.2 AWD isn't something I NEED, but for trips in winter, or living somewhere else it could be somewhere between reassuring and vital.

We bought ours to replace a minivan that had served us 14 years, The SUV size is nice, but the mileage on the T-6 averages 12-14 in mixed driving (stop lights- and my wife idles with A/C when picking up our kids) With a light foot I can average 20 even on highway runs at 70mph.

Also, YOU are an MVSer, you probably do at least some of your own work. It's just a fat P1/P2! (one day I'll get VIDA/DICE to make life easier) Brakes, fluids, lights are all typical Volvo.

Ou2mame · Post by **Ou2mame** » 22 Aug 2015, 02:38

My vote is for the 2.5. The v8 is just too big to work on easily the way it's stuffed in there.

mika · Post by **mika** » 25 Aug 2015, 10:37

In terms of the 2.5, Does that mean the 2.5 did not come with the notorious bad tranny any of the years? such as the (03-06 T6 AWD )

Should I prefer the 3.2 NA over the turbo in terms of simplicity?

Also, all are AWD or FWD (fwd only being on the 2.5T right?)

No rwd?

KSUMMEY · Post by **KSUMMEY** » 25 Aug 2015, 13:06

XC90 is FWD or AWD not just rear. I have a 2006 XC90 2.5t FWD I tow cars with it and my wife drives it daily about 60 miles round trip to work . I have not driven a 3.2 but I have seen post saying the 2.5 feels a little peppier and I would say its only down fall to the 3.2 is replacing timing belts on the 2.5. I will say the 2.5 will spin the tires if you hit the gas too hard taking off. Wife averages 18mpg in traffic 22 on interstate trips and towing a S60 behind on a tow dolly from Daytona to Atlanta I averaged pretty decent running 80+. 14-16 mpg
The model with the bad tranny was the T6 models ( GM TRANSMISSION). The 2.5t runs the asin warner trans and it holds up well with regular maintenance.
Like with any car the later the model the better the reliability. Avoid first year runs of new engine combos or new models like avoid the 2003 xc90 or first year xc90 v8 models.

Ou2mame · Post by **Ou2mame** » 26 Aug 2015, 02:15

I spun my tires today by accident lol

mika · Post by **mika** » 27 Aug 2015, 10:14

KSUMMEY wrote:XC90 is FWD or AWD not just rear. I have a 2006 XC90 2.5t FWD I tow cars with it and my wife drives it daily about 60 miles round trip to work . I have not driven a 3.2 but I have seen post saying the 2.5 feels a little peppier and I would say its only down fall to the 3.2 is replacing timing belts on the 2.5. I will say the 2.5 will spin the tires if you hit the gas too hard taking off. Wife averages 18mpg in traffic 22 on interstate trips and towing a S60 behind on a tow dolly from Daytona to Atlanta I averaged pretty decent running 80+. 14-16 mpg
The model with the bad tranny was the T6 models ( GM TRANSMISSION). The 2.5t runs the asin warner trans and it holds up well with regular maintenance.
Like with any car the later the model the better the reliability. Avoid first year runs of new engine combos or new models like avoid the 2003 xc90 or first year xc90 v8 models.

PLEASE CLARIFY: Are you saying that one has a timing chain and other has a timing belt? If so, please tell me which has which as it is unclear in your post

Post by **cn90** » 27 Aug 2015, 20:03

3.2L: Timing Chain
2.5T: Timing Belt

For the 3.2, do a google search on R.E.A.D.

Personally, go for the 2.5T (2005 or 2006 model). As long as you take care of the following, you will be fine:
- Plastic Pipe from oil trap to valve cover
- Timing Belt (incl the 2 pulleys, sold as a kit by Volvo)