V70: 2011-2014 V70 D3 or D4 buying decision

[sacke]

Originally Posted by Sotosound

Regarding those two cars, the second (newer) one looks a better prospect. It's a facelift model with active "bending" xenon headlights, memory seats, configurable tft display, voice activated control, heated seats etc.

It also has a better service history.

I am not certain that I like the colour, but that is a personal preference. There is also some additional risk because it is being sold privately, presumably with no warranty.

The Ocean Race has some service history missing, and the right-hand rear door appears to be the wrong colour in one photo. It also has a tow bar, which might mean that the rear suspension and automatic gearbox will require some maintenance work. Furthermore, some spare parts such as the wheels might be harder to obtain because it is a limited edition.

I can say, however, that the V70 is an excellent choice of car if you find a good example. (Well, I would say that, wouldn't I? )

Finally, Kev0607 is right. Do not buy cheap parts.

The light blue Ocean Race model has been recently inspected and passed with minor fixes recommended. Rear brakes were since replaced, as were other parts that were mentioned.

The latest inspection shows 17% assymetry in the rear suspension, which passes due to being less than 30%.

[Sotosound]

Originally Posted by morsing

OMG DO NOT BUY THIS!

High oil consumption is only the beginning of the problem! You will end up with a big repair bill buying any car with this engine, especially with the milage that car has done.

Agreed. I have just spotted the twin exhausts, which tell us that it has the 4-cylinder VEA engine and not a 5-cylinder engine.

Please avoid.

[capt jack]

Interesting that you're thinking a buying a diesel car, given that you drive 10,000 km per year - that's 6,000 miles for those of us on the other side of the Channel.

The usual wisdom says that very low usage isn't a good idea with a Diesel engine because it really needs sustained, regular driving at highway speeds to keep things working properly.

Would a petrol-engined car be an option for you?

If it helps at all, I have a 2012 D5 V70, and to be fair, although it's not a patch on my old 1997 V70 in general terms, the engine (now at 152,000 miles - that's 250,000km) is certainly one of the car's strong points. It's very quick, with 200+bhp on tap, and very economical, averaging over 49mpg (4.8litres/100km). But essentially it's a Ford Mondeo.

With the experience of several high mileage Volvos I'd hesitate to recommend anything with lots of electronic gizmos. Bendy headlights, electronic handbrakes, lane departure warnings, blind spot systems, automatic wind-down windows, fancy audio systems, built-in sat-nav etc etc, are all OK until something goes wrong. Or worse still, when things don't actually go wrong, but insist on developing annoying, random intermittent hiccups. Like the blind spot system that doesn't work in the dark when it rains, or the reverse sensor that's just a bit too sensitive, or the radio that randomly switches off, and then corrects itself a moment or two later.

When I think, the 240s, 740s 940s, early V70 and 960 that I've owned never had any fancy gimmicks, all covered massive mileages, and all were petrol-powered. And any one of them I'd have back in a heartbeat. The current V70, by contrast isn't a bad car, but it just isn't a great car either, and doesn't inspire that confidence that has our S70 at 250,000 miles just now, and saw my old V70, an original classic model, sail well past 300,000 miles - that's half a million kilometres - on the original engine, gearbox and suspension.

Jack

[Sotosound]

Originally Posted by capt jack

Interesting that you're thinking a buying a diesel car, given that you drive 10,000 km per year - that's 6,000 miles for those of us on the other side of the Channel.

The usual wisdom says that very low usage isn't a good idea with a Diesel engine because it really needs sustained, regular driving at highway speeds to keep things working properly.

Would a petrol-engined car be an option for you?

If it helps at all, I have a 2012 D5 V70, and to be fair, although it's not a patch on my old 1997 V70 in general terms, the engine (now at 152,000 miles - that's 250,000km) is certainly one of the car's strong points. It's very quick, with 200+bhp on tap, and very economical, averaging over 49mpg (4.8litres/100km). But essentially it's a Ford Mondeo.

With the experience of several high mileage Volvos I'd hesitate to recommend anything with lots of electronic gizmos. Bendy headlights, electronic handbrakes, lane departure warnings, blind spot systems, automatic wind-down windows, fancy audio systems, built-in sat-nav etc etc, are all OK until something goes wrong. Or worse still, when things don't actually go wrong, but insist on developing annoying, random intermittent hiccups. Like the blind spot system that doesn't work in the dark when it rains, or the reverse sensor that's just a bit too sensitive, or the radio that randomly switches off, and then corrects itself a moment or two later.

When I think, the 240s, 740s 940s, early V70 and 960 that I've owned never had any fancy gimmicks, all covered massive mileages, and all were petrol-powered. And any one of them I'd have back in a heartbeat. The current V70, by contrast isn't a bad car, but it just isn't a great car either, and doesn't inspire that confidence that has our S70 at 250,000 miles just now, and saw my old V70, an original classic model, sail well past 300,000 miles - that's half a million kilometres - on the original engine, gearbox and suspension.

Jack

My old 1998 V70 is also still going strong with its current owner but, sadly, Volvo stopped making those simpler cars over 20 years ago. Also, although your point about the petrol option makes some sense, my old 1998 V70, with its 2.4-litre 10-valve engine had to work very hard on steep hills and might not have been well-suited to a life that includes driving through the Alps, whereas a D3 or D4 will be like a very fast mountain goat.

Also, I loved the 2007- Mondeo. I owned two of them myself and they're roomy and comfortable, with an excellent driving position, which is also carried over into into my current V70. Like the V70, the Mondeo also has a very pleasant ambience. Switching from the Mondeo to the V70 was, therefore, very easy and a bit like stepping into a plusher Mondeo.

These cars also last if given some TLC. I see more than a few pristine 57-reg Mondeos on my travels and it's clear that they have proud owners.

[sacke]

Originally Posted by capt jack

Interesting that you're thinking a buying a diesel car, given that you drive 10,000 km per year - that's 6,000 miles for those of us on the other side of the Channel.

The usual wisdom says that very low usage isn't a good idea with a Diesel engine because it really needs sustained, regular driving at highway speeds to keep things working properly.

Would a petrol-engined car be an option for you?

A petrol-engined car could be an option, but I would want to keep this car for a long time. My parents have a 2013 V70 with almost 400k kilometers, still going strong. Another family member had a 2011 V70 D3, and had it until it had done 500k... then bought another 2011 V70 D3 that just had 170k kilometers.

We have three kids and when we are all in our current petrol engine car, it happens regularly that some of the steeper hills necessitate down-shifting due to lack of torque + at highway speeds of 120km/h, the engine is above 3500 rpm and fuel consumption is a lot higher than 90-100km/h.

Most trips with this car will be longer trips and the idea of being comfortable again on the highways has me looking further than I do now, when planning family or sports outings in places I haven't visited.

The point about electronics is a good one. I will keep that in mind.

In some ways, would I interpret your (the people commenting here) advice correctly, that simplicity even in this matter is the key to reliability?

That becomes a bit of a counterintuitive thing, as more options in that case is actually not necessarily a good thing.

Is there a real difference in reliability or proneness to problems between the D3, D4 and D5 engines?

[Sotosound]

I have heard of some D5 engines that have blown head gaskets, but not D3 or D4 engines.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by sacke

A petrol-engined car could be an option, but I would want to keep this car for a long time. My parents have a 2013 V70 with almost 400k kilometers, still going strong. Another family member had a 2011 V70 D3, and had it until it had done 500k... then bought another 2011 V70 D3 that just had 170k kilometers.

We have three kids and when we are all in our current petrol engine car, it happens regularly that some of the steeper hills necessitate down-shifting due to lack of torque + at highway speeds of 120km/h, the engine is above 3500 rpm and fuel consumption is a lot higher than 90-100km/h.

Most trips with this car will be longer trips and the idea of being comfortable again on the highways has me looking further than I do now, when planning family or sports outings in places I haven't visited.

The point about electronics is a good one. I will keep that in mind.

In some ways, would I interpret your (the people commenting here) advice correctly, that simplicity even in this matter is the key to reliability?

That becomes a bit of a counterintuitive thing, as more options in that case is actually not necessarily a good thing.

Is there a real difference in reliability or proneness to problems between the D3, D4 and D5 engines?

You have to be careful. Make sure the one you buy is a 5 cylinder engine if you're looking for longevity and reliability. The 4 cylinder VEA engines aren't as good as the older 5 cylinders.

Make sure the cam belt and auxiliary belts/tensioner have been changed. Its also important to check that the alternator clutch pulley isn't making any noise. Any squeaks from the alternator area on startup is the early warning (get it replaced ASAP). If the alternator pulley fails, it can also lead to major damage. These are the main issues on these engines.

As for other things, well its like any other car really. Check the suspension is in good order. Gear changes are smooth and so on. Check the service history.

5 cylinder engines are capable of very high mileage with maintenance.