Volvo XC70 - Am I mad?

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Tue 14 Jan 2025 21:02
Volvo XC70 - Am I mad? - tim10597

So, don’t ask me why, but I’ve always fancied having an XC70. Almost bought a nearly new one back in 2009, but didn’t. I’d be keeping my main car, as I cover a lot of miles annually, but I am tempted to spend up to £5k and buy an XC70. It would be D5, automatic. High mileage doesn’t worry me as I took my last car to over 220,000 miles.

Am I mad to consider one, and what would you look out for if you were buying one? I usually buy based on condition and it is going to be a second, less used car.

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Tue 14 Jan 2025 22:10
Volvo XC70 - Am I mad? - Adampr

So, don’t ask me why, but I’ve always fancied having an XC70. Almost bought a nearly new one back in 2009, but didn’t. I’d be keeping my main car, as I cover a lot of miles annually, but I am tempted to spend up to £5k and buy an XC70. It would be D5, automatic. High mileage doesn’t worry me as I took my last car to over 220,000 miles.

Am I mad to consider one, and what would you look out for if you were buying one? I usually buy based on condition and it is going to be a second, less used car.

I quite like the XC70 to. It kind of does everything. .

I don't think you're mad, but I think early D5s had issues, so worth looking into that. For specific, slightly obscure, models I always think it's worth finding a forum and buying from a slightly crazed enthusiast.

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Tue 14 Jan 2025 23:17
Volvo XC70 - Am I mad? - pd

No, you are not mad, although a sub-£5k one will have a fair few miles and be fairly old.

They tend to take their miles well, nothing really specific to look out for. Injectors can get a bit tired resulting in increased diesel knock under load, autos can get a bit jolty in and out of drive/reverse and the suspension is prone to some wear (particular the rear bushes).

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Wed 15 Jan 2025 06:05
Volvo XC70 - Am I mad? - badbusdriver

Another fan of the XC70 here, so I don't think you are mad either.

Seem to remember SLO mentioning problems with the 2.4 diesel, though I haven't looked any further into it myself. But because of this, and assuming it won't be doing many miles with you, I'd maybe look for a petrol?

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Wed 15 Jan 2025 08:21
Volvo XC70 - Am I mad? - SLO76
Very much get the appeal of an old 5cyl petrol V70 as a second car/tip run motor, but I’d probably leave the more complex diesel alone purely because there’s more to go wrong. Our XC60 D5 was a pig, it was never away from the garage, it was flogged to a local dealer with a list of faults they didn’t pick up on including a mystery coolant loss I couldn’t find, and this was a much younger low mileage full dealer history car. I hated the clumsy auto box too which didn’t go well with the diesel motor. It was forever hunting up and down gears. I’d be after a petrol manual V70 myself.

Edited by SLO76 on 15/01/2025 at 08:22

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Wed 15 Jan 2025 08:40
Volvo XC70 - Am I mad? - nellyjak
Very much get the appeal of an old 5cyl petrol V70 as a second car/tip run motor, but I’d probably leave the more complex diesel alone purely because there’s more to go wrong. Our XC60 D5 was a pig, it was never away from the garage, it was flogged to a local dealer with a list of faults they didn’t pick up on including a mystery coolant loss I couldn’t find, and this was a much younger low mileage full dealer history car. I hated the clumsy auto box too which didn’t go well with the diesel motor. It was forever hunting up and down gears. I’d be after a petrol manual V70 myself.

I agree...I had a 20 valve petro autol for 2/3 years...excellent car and ticked more boxes than most.

Only the V6 Estima I've got now can tick all the same boxes

I'd certainly consider another if I needed to.

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Wed 15 Jan 2025 11:08
Volvo XC70 - Am I mad? - Archie35

Though conversely, our XC60 D5 Auto (second hand - MY2015) was excellent - in 60k miles (ish) we hardly had any problems, and the only one I recall came down to a sensor which had failed and was triggering some warning lights. Nor did I find the auto box clumsy, and it definitely didn't hunt up or down gears. Maybe yours was just a one-off aberration? I've been on the Volvo UK XC60 forums for quite a few years, and rarely see complaints about the D5. The D4 did get a few more complaints (but maybe there are more users of the D4, hence more comments?).

I did previously own a XC70, which was a nice car, but it is large - I (and more particularly, my wife) hated having to park it in congested parking areas. Fuel economy was also a lot worse than the XC60.

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Wed 15 Jan 2025 11:48
Volvo XC70 - Am I mad? - SLO76

Though conversely, our XC60 D5 Auto (second hand - MY2015) was excellent - in 60k miles (ish) we hardly had any problems, and the only one I recall came down to a sensor which had failed and was triggering some warning lights. Nor did I find the auto box clumsy, and it definitely didn't hunt up or down gears. Maybe yours was just a one-off aberration? I've been on the Volvo UK XC60 forums for quite a few years, and rarely see complaints about the D5. The D4 did get a few more complaints (but maybe there are more users of the D4, hence more comments?).

I did previously own a XC70, which was a nice car, but it is large - I (and more particularly, my wife) hated having to park it in congested parking areas. Fuel economy was also a lot worse than the XC60.

Perhaps you’re a very gentle driver, I found that even a mere touch of the go pedal would incite the box to kick down one, sometimes two gears where the huge torque of the twin turbo D5 didn’t require a drop in gear, something my C Class doesn’t feel the need to do despite having 9 gears. I would’ve far preferred a manual box on the Volvo, but I also didn’t rate the suspension which never seemed to settle, it was always moving around under you. I agree though that I was unlucky with that big car, most owners don’t complain much about them reliability wise and the D5 motor is well liked. A manual V70 petrol 5cyl is a very appealing old smoker, it drives much better than the XC60 in my opinion and was better made, more of an old school Volvo.
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Thu 16 Jan 2025 11:23
Volvo XC70 - Am I mad? - barney100

My v70d has covered 196k and the diesel motor has …touch wood…been fine after 17 years motoring.

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Wed 15 Jan 2025 18:45
Volvo XC70 - Am I mad? - tim10597

Thank you all for the feedback, lots to think about there. I hadn’t really explored the petrol option but it does make sense in many ways. Am probably looking at 2007-2009 vintage but we will see what is out there and what catches my eye.

in the meantime, if anyone is selling one, point them in my direction!

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Thu 16 Jan 2025 11:48
Volvo XC70 - Am I mad? - pd

You'll be hard pressed to find a petrol, they sold very few. There are a few out there which have been imported from Japan.

The diesel is really OK and probably suits the car best. The diesel is quite thirsty, I dread to think what a petrol does in the real world.

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Sat 18 Jan 2025 17:06
Volvo XC70 - Am I mad? - tim10597

Well, took the plunge today and bought one in a local auction… 2009, 143k, decent condition. So we will see how it goes. I’m not in the slightest bit mechanically minded but have a very good garage who have looked after us for 30 years. It’s a shame they’re now 180 miles away after a recent house move, but they’ll be looking after it for me.

Will see how it goes, drive home from the auction - about 30 miles - was leisurely and comfortable.

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Sat 18 Jan 2025 18:02
Volvo XC70 - Am I mad? - badbusdriver

180 miles?!?!

Surely there must be a very good garage closer than that?

I might go as far as 50 for a really good one, but no further!

Hope it works out for you though.

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Sat 18 Jan 2025 19:01
Volvo XC70 - Am I mad? - tim10597

There probably is, but I don’t know as we haven’t lived here long. And we will combine a trip to the garage with the chance to catch-up with friends from where we used to live (the garage was only 9 miles away then!).

After 30 years of buying cars from them, and them maintaining them, I trust them. Never once have they tried to do unnecessary work, their prices are good and the service second to none. Worth sticking with I think.

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Sat 18 Jan 2025 18:28
Volvo XC70 - Am I mad? - SLO76
I’d seek out a genuine Volvo specialist for one of these old wagons. There must be one nearer than that.
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Sat 18 Jan 2025 19:02
Volvo XC70 - Am I mad? - tim10597

There probably is, but just replied to BBD with the reasons why I’ll be sticking with my very trusted garage!

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Sat 18 Jan 2025 20:12
Volvo XC70 - Am I mad? - Steveieb

We have a Volvo specialist near me in Northampton called Avalon Motors . Are you anywhere near hear Tim ?

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Sun 11 May 2025 20:10
Volvo XC70 - Am I mad? - filbert

I've had my second XC70 (2008 model, manual, diesel) for over 10 years. Very happy with it. Most maintenance is done by my local generalist mech but I go to an independent Volvo specialist for stuff that's a bit out of the ordinary. For example, 2 or 3 years ago, I had a problem with the turbo. My local guy had several goes but couldn't fix it. The Volvo specialist knew exactly what the problem was. One thing was that there were several slightly different options for parts, depending on the model. He also had access to reconditioned parts that my local guy didn't.

Horses for courses

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Sun 11 May 2025 22:09
Volvo XC70 - Am I mad? - tim10597

So, almost 4 months and 5,000 miles in, I love this car! I have found out what you mean about different options for parts, there appears to be several versions of shock absorbers, but only a certain one fits! Don’t suppose you’re local to Cumbria? if so, I wouldn’t mind knowing the name of your specialist please.

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Sat 18 Jan 2025 23:20
Volvo XC70 - Am I mad? - Andrew-T

I can't imagine any kind of mechanical skills special enough to justify a round trip of 360 miles, which must mean on overnight stop (or two, if a problem develops).

My cars aren't very special, so I use a trusted indy which I can walk to in under 15 minutes.

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