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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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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