replacing my 05 XC90 with 250K, which to buy? V8 vs. 3.2l Topic is solved

aaron1611 · Post by **aaron1611** » 26 Jan 2020, 11:17

My 05 XC90 has over 250K on it and just failed inspection. around $900 in parts and labor to fix the basic needs to pass inspection but there are other items that will need to be replaced soon too. So I'm looking at 2 other used XC90's to purchase instead. 2007 V8 with 72K on it, clean carfax and good dealer maintenance or a 2013 with 135K with carfax and great dealer maintenance records, highway mileage. Price aside, is it better with these xc90's to have a newer version as the kinks have been worked out or go with less milage version. My 2003 xc70 has 260K on it and it drives great and passed inspection!

Thank you,

aaron1611 · Post by **aaron1611** » 27 Jan 2020, 11:17

looking for some feedback as to what the preference might be on this forum about purchasing a used XC90. I've added a 2013 XC90 with FWD to my list with 121K on it with carfax and maintenance records for $3000 less than the AWD version that I'm also looking at. Makes sense for us since we are in VA and we hardly get snow. 3 Volvos that I'm seriously looking to buy one of them in the next week or so depending on schedule. Thanks for any input.

Post by **xHeart** » 27 Jan 2020, 12:23

We drive 2013A XC90 with 140,000 miles. It is a 3.2I AWD. Overall very please with all aspects of it. I have been following Volvo's maintenance checklist for 150,000 miles, a.k.a Service Schedule II.

See pgill's $10,000 S80 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=87687 ...

This may help too, 2013A XC90 150,000... viewtopic.php?f=10&t=90085, scroll down to look through MVS list of SIMILAR TOPICS for more.

wanderdüne · Post by **wanderdüne** » 27 Jan 2020, 17:21

As far as I know, the 2007 still has issues with the transmission valve body that *may* have been corrected for 2008. The V8, while great is absolutely shoehorned into the bay and makes for time intensive, costly and more difficult repairs and replacements.

As to AWD or FWD, I'd personally go with FWD if you don't need AWD; it's just less to go wrong in my opinion. I can't tell much difference driving my AWD vs FWD- granted they both have snow tires in winter and I just drive normally. There are now "all weather tires" out there that are a good year-round compromise to dedicated snows if you don't need them, but still want some traction in light snow. Nokian, Vredstein, Michelin, Goodyear and Toyo all make these new style tires.

One thing to know or look for with the 3.2 is the accessory belt interval, which is at 150K mi. This service is a very involved and expensive job because it involves also replacing other items and takes a lot of shop time; but you want to replace everything "while you're in there" I've heard it quoted as high as $1500USD. Much less if DIY, and it seems do-able, but difficult. There's DIY guides out there.

There is some consensus that the 3.2 is better from 2010 on because of the type of bearing used in R.E.A.D. unit
Here is a thread about the 3.2: https://forums.swedespeed.com/showthrea ... d-the-ugly

Also, look at some of the repairs and service on this channel; it's an XC70, but very similar; just to get some ideas on the DIY side; or just info: https://www.youtube.com/user/volvosweden/videos

If you don't have a code reader, I'd either purchase an icarsoft i906 code reader which is Volvo/Saab specific or get the VIDA software here: https://forums.swedespeed.com/showthrea ... nload-Link and get a DiCE clone online. I like to scan before I pay for a PPI.

Yes, whatever you decide, nothing beats a thorough Pre-purchase inspection by a good Volvo specific mechanic.

aaron1611 · Post by **aaron1611** » 28 Jan 2020, 08:46

Thank you both for your response. I've decided to nix the V8 and I'm going to look at the 2013 FWD tomorrow for a test drive. I thought too that the V8's ate up the tranny on these earlier models. You are correct, in that I agree there is less to fix with the FWD than with the AWD, thank you for confirming this. The FWD one with 3rd row and most options minus the rear seat DVD is $7800. The other 2013 AWD is at $10,600 and I'm not willing to pay that just for the AWD feature. I'll post back after a test drive. Thanks again.

tjmotter · Post by **tjmotter** » 31 Jan 2020, 19:52

I am fixing my nephew's '08 V8 at the moment and would find it hard to recommend one. Nice power but a royal pain to work on. The only car I have ever worked on where I had to solicit my wifes help because my arm was too large to squeeze into the space required to connect a wire (alternator). As for the 3rd row seating? Not sure I would go this route. Pulled some parts from a junkyard XC with the 3rd row and it looked completely useless. No leg room at all and a cludgy approach that slides the base of the seats back to allow entry..

If I were to buy one I would go with the 3.2

aaron1611 · Post by **aaron1611** » 01 Feb 2020, 05:18

Thank you. I drove the FWD and it had obviously seen better days. There was a reason it was so affordable. Hoping to look at the 2013 AWD with 135K today and see if I can get the price down from the asking price of $9900. Will definitely stick with the 3.2's.

aaron1611 · Post by **aaron1611** » 05 Feb 2020, 07:08

I purchased the 2013 xc90 3.2. Very happy with the purchase.

Post by **xHeart** » 06 Feb 2020, 10:53

aaron1611 wrote: ↑05 Feb 2020, 07:08 I purchased the 2013 xc90 3.2. Very happy with the purchase.

Good choice! I now prefer 3.2 I6 over our L5.
Brining your 2013 XC90 to Stage 0 by 150,000 miles can be achieved with incremental steps: https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/stage-0.html