When it's time to move on (and what did you buy?)

[MoVolvos]

What are your guys thoughts on the 2008+ V70's? Something like this? I drive very little so am tending to look for higher mileage cars due to the discount.

https://www.truecar.com/used-cars-for-s ... volvo-v70/

For a light driver you want to buy up in the 200k mileage range where the price really drops. A good compression test Andy a coolant test verifies the engine, one drain and fill on the AT verifies the transmission.

What do think of the V8's
2008 Volvo XC90 - 145,879 miles - $5,748
https://www.carfax.com/vehicle/YV4CZ852481464293

Carfax - Serviced almost exclusively at Volvo. Virginia is very stringent in terms of inspection so that's a plus.
https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/p ... eO5PMjt0R2

[wheelsup]

What are your guys thoughts on the 2008+ V70's? Something like this? I drive very little so am tending to look for higher mileage cars due to the discount.

https://www.truecar.com/used-cars-for-s ... volvo-v70/

For a light driver you want to buy up in the 200k mileage range where the price really drops. A good compression test Andy a coolant test verifies the engine, one drain and fill on the AT verifies the transmission.

What do think of the V8's
2008 Volvo XC90 - 145,879 miles - $5,748
https://www.carfax.com/vehicle/YV4CZ852481464293

Carfax - Serviced almost exclusively at Volvo. Virginia is very stringent in terms of inspection so that's a plus.
https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/p ... eO5PMjt0R2

I was concerned about transmission issues and replacement parts costs on the XC90's. I've been doing some research and it seems the 2008 and up is a safer bet but is there an engine/transmission combo that is better? Generally I would steer clear of any turbo as that adds complexity and I wonder about costs on the V8 as well. Same idea for AWD which I don't need at all.

[MoVolvos]

I was concerned about transmission issues and replacement parts costs on the XC90's. I've been doing some research and it seems the 2008 and up is a safer bet but is there an engine/transmission combo that is better? Generally I would steer clear of any turbo as that adds complexity and I wonder about costs on the V8 as well. Same idea for AWD which I don't need at all.

Perhaps you should just stay with the simpler and upgrade a couple of years? Did you see this today. Got me wanting to rid of our Odyssey or Lexus. Should sell fast! Son thinks it's an NA.

1999 Volvo S70 - White - $1900 (Raleigh, NC) 1 owner, 123K miles
https://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/d/ra ... 15664.html
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99 S70 1 Owner 123K Miles 1.png (539.77 KiB) Viewed 1228 times

99 S70 1 Owner 123K Miles 2.png (543.36 KiB) Viewed 1228 times

[bmdubya1198]

You really don't need to worry about the transmissions in the XC90s. The T6 was the one that had the GM 4T65 transmission, but the 2.5T, 3.2, and V8 all have different transmissions. The TF80SC 6 speed in the 3.2 and V8 models is very good and has a good reputation.
My mom has a 2007 XC90 V8 Sport, and I love it. It looks good and is very comfortable. Handles really well for an SUV too. I need to fix some leaks and such, but overall it's still a Volvo... very reliable. Mid 2006+ V8s are pretty bullet proof. The main issue with the 2005-mid '06 V8 is the balance shaft bearing. There is an area where water can collect if you wash your engine bay, and the water gets into that bearing and kills it, which causes the balance shaft to shift out of place, which can cause the engine to jump timing. This was corrected with a drain hole midway through 2006, so it's highly unlikely to be an issue on those newer models.

The AWD system is also pretty reliable. I had to replace the AOC oil pump and filter a couple months ago, but other than that it's been good. As long as you take care of it and change the fluid, it'll last.

That said, if you're only driving the car on occasion, you may want something a little more basic. A V8 XC90 will be great, but for few short trips I'd say an NA P80 is a perfect car. Basic, comfortable, reliable, and good on gas. I'd be afraid of short trips being too hard on a turbo. They really need to be opened up and gotten nice and hot regularly.
That said, these turbo 5 cylinders are very reliable compared to other turbo engines. Sure, there is more complexity versus an NA, but it's really not that much more complicated to maintain. A few extra oil and coolant lines is all there is to it.

[mecheng]

Haha,

BMW is the best-kept secret.
Personally, I like BMW better b/c it seems to run well and does not have the little problems in Volvo.
BMW is more fun to drive. But the fun stopped in 2006 when BMW switched to electric WP etc.

Get a 2004-2006 X3 or X5 with M54 engine < 100K miles. Great values!

You couldn't be more wrong; but I'm sure you will find a way to convince yourself the M54 is superior.

You need to understand the maintenance in its entirety to appreciate how the N52 was BMWs most reliable, efficient, and best performing non turbo inline 6 they ever made. You keep quoting an electric WP being a sole reason to not buy a car; this is completely ridiculous. Firstly, the WP will last at a very minimum of 100,000 miles but many have lasted over 200,000 miles. It is DIY friendly and can be purchased for around $300. Yes it is more than a mechanical WP but the extra efficiency gained from its smart electronics will pay for itself many times over. On cold days it runs slow and you can turn off the car and still get residual heat.

Now, lets compare the entire cooling system on the M54 to the N52. The entire M54 cooling system is a ticking time bomb: fragile expansion tanks, WP that have very short lives, hoses and when something fails its pretty common to blow a head gasket. On the N52, the cooling system is solid; no major weak points and if the engine gets too hot, the car will go into limp mode protecting the engine. Many have limped very long distances to safety and caused no engine damage.

Lets not forget the oil burning, PCV issues the M54. The N52 has none of those issues. There are many people that have over 300,000 miles on the original engine and transmission! Don't believe me check out these posts.
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1048253
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1620189

The N52 was the best NA engine BMW ever made, it is more powerful, efficient and silky smooth. The M54 is a decent engine, but the N52 is better in every way. The whole E90 series are amazing pieces of Engineering. Its quiet and comfortable, but take it on a back road and it hugs every corner and the steering feel is to die for. I love the interior build, not a squeak or rattle; its as if the interior is made from one block of material. When people read consumer reports, the N54 engines sway the reliability results because it was one of the first of its kind; especially for BMW and it had many teething problems. The N52 was revolutionary too with its half magnesium half aluminum block but they got it right.

My S70 was a great car, didn't rust at all, was so comfortable; especially for long drives. But it lacked any sporty driving engagement both in steering feel and handling. I also didn't like the turbo lag which made it feel slow in the city. My wife still has her 850 and loves it: its comfortable and super reliable; never given us any problems. The materials are all high quality and it is so simple to repair. My wife doesn't care for sporty so I think we will always have a Volvo in our stable. If it every dies, we will get a used S60 or V60. I myself have been very fortunate with the BMW it is very reliable and the only headaches I've had to worry about was the starter (not easy but not hard), window regulators (BMW problem forever) and oil pan leaks (typical BMW). Both cars makes are way underrated; which is great for the used market.

[abscate]

We have an E83 M54 and it has been bullet proof - bought on CPO post crash in 2009 with 0% interest over 5 years using BMWs money. With the SP500 return from 2009-2014, the car was almost free!

I did a full cooling group refresh at 120k, expansion tank, hoses, pump, thermostat. Next one is free on FCP!

One thing to watch - I keep the coolant level on the low end of the dipstick - if you overfill that system, I think you overpressure and cause problems.

[wheelsup]

I was concerned about transmission issues and replacement parts costs on the XC90's. I've been doing some research and it seems the 2008 and up is a safer bet but is there an engine/transmission combo that is better? Generally I would steer clear of any turbo as that adds complexity and I wonder about costs on the V8 as well. Same idea for AWD which I don't need at all.

Perhaps you should just stay with the simpler and upgrade a couple of years? Did you see this today. Got me wanting to rid of our Odyssey or Lexus. Should sell fast! Son thinks it's an NA.

1999 Volvo S70 - White - $1900 (Raleigh, NC) 1 owner, 123K miles
https://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/d/ra ... 15664.html
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99 S70 1 Owner 123K Miles 1.png

99 S70 1 Owner 123K Miles 2.png

I emailed we'll see if it's still for sale, the last Volvo for sale similar to it went in a few hours. They are less than 15 mins from me. That would be a good stop gap. I asked about the AC evaporator.

[abscate]

That white S70 is a classic P80 Volvo used purchase.

It could be a solid buy at 1900, or it could have 3000 in work needed to get the next 100k miles

The fit/finish lures you into thinking its like new, but if it has been neglected, its a money pit.

1999 potential tiger pits

ETM $500
Keys $500
PCV $300
AT ?????
Delta links $1000-2000 or a weekend of hell.
Four corners $1000

[bmdubya1198]

My dad has a 1999 528iT sport package, we've had it in our family since 2011 at 99k miles, bought it from the original owner. This car was originally my mom's, it had replaced her last '99 528iT sport that had been totaled by some idiots in a lawn service truck doing about 45 when she was stopped waiting to turn (car held up phenomenally well although it was destroyed, no injuries aside from whiplash).
It has been a fantastic car, requiring only the basic BMW maintenance items (cooling system, CCV, DISA, Vanos) but overall it's been very reliable. I was rear ended in it once, not a bit of damage done! The rear bumper may have shifted forward and up a little, but it's barely noticeable. They're as solid as a Volvo and even more fun to drive when they're well sorted. The best part? No interior squeaks like a P80!
That car is currently at 228k miles and running strong. It needs a little work (namely brakes and rear suspension, as well as fixing an evap leak) but overall it's a solid car. I've always loved E39s and I will always claim they are one of the best cars ever made. Just watch the Africa special of Top Gear... that car took a beating! May's 850R also did incredibly well!

This car has an M52TU, early version of the M54. Never any oil burning issues. My dad also had an '03 X5 3.0 M54 for a while. It was also pretty good overall, it had its issues, but it was at that fussy time for a BMW... low 100k mile range. They all seem to have the most problems there. Before and after that is smooth sailing usually.

As for the N52 and N54, I like both of those engines. The N52 is very well engineered, and the N54 isn't known as the German 2JZ for no reason! I've never owned either, but I'd really love a 135i with the N54. They are tough as nails and can hold crazy amount of power.
Honestly I haven't heard the best things about the quality of the E90s. I've never had one, but most of my BMW friends say they feel very cheap compared to the E46. I've always liked them.

[abscate]

Just stay away from those dRiveway Queens.

(I think you are up and running, right?)