Any info/opinions on Volvo XC70

[JohnandNic]

Hi

It's time to change our mondeo 2.2tdci and we're (well swmbo is) thinking about an XC70. We've seen an 08 D5 geartronic advertised that we like the look of and if it's still around in Jan could be very tempted by. We tow a Pageant Provence mtplm 1420kg

Has anyone an experience of these and can offer an useful info eg mpg solo and towing, stability etc

Many thanks in advance

John & Nic

 

[otherclive]

A while back Andrew English wrote an article in the Saturday Telegraph on long term ownesship of an XC70. He felt it was not the sharpest drive on the road, but the overall view was very positive something like this big swede did everthing asked of it without fuss or hassle. I have been looking at the XC70/V70 as a replacement for the Sorento. in fact I look ata lot of cars but since the Kia is so darned good I don't make the change. Try the Autotrader site reciew links, or the reviews on Parkers, What Car and Top Gear sites. You will find a wide range of owner feedback. With its kerbweight and 2000+ braked twoing weight it should be a fine towcar. MPG for the solo 185 D5 seems to be around 32-34mpg, with the newer 202bhp D5 being better. The auto has a full torque convertor box too, which may be less fuel efficient than DSG boxes but it does not have clutches to wear out. Watch out for the D3 160hp as its tow weight is quite a bit less than the D5.

 

[JohnandNic]

Many thanks for your reply Other Clive. I've seen some of the reviews and get the impression that feelings are mixed about this car. I'll have a look at the others. Probably when we go for a test drive that'll be when we make up our minds

Thanks again

John

 

[DandP]

I too have been looking at the xc70. Very nice looking car and i'm sure very capable too. A car for me has to be not only a good car but nice looking too therefore a sorento is prob not a good comparison to a volvo xc70. The Audi allroad is probably a good option too. Good luck, Dan.

 

[otherclive]

John and Nic,
next time that you think about changing cars can you not ask for advice on this Forum, as your last post has cost me dearly!!. After your post I too went and had a look at the XC70 and am now contemplating life without the Sorento as the new XC70 arrives mid-January!! After the test drive I was smitten and even the Freelander 2 lost out in my decion making process. It was a case clearly of heart over mind. Still we are all allowed a lapse sometime in our lives, my last one was buying a 1990 M3 so hopefully the next one will be beyond my caravanning years.

Cheers

Other Clive

 

[JohnandNic]

Other Clive
Hope you enjoy the volvo as much as you no doubt did the M3, but obviously in a different way.
We (so I'm told) have decided to try to get another year or so out our Mondeo, but please let us know how the volvo does.

Best wishes

John

 

[cookie2]

Hi,
I've just seen this post...i have an XC70 D5 163 bhp 2003 version and i've had it from new.
Servicing has been very reasonable and reliability has been fantastic.It is honestly the most comfortable car i have ever owned, and the higher profile tyres help towards this,alloys are protected from curbs and the tyres are good for 30000 miles if you rotate them at 15000!!
Max towball weight is not great(maybe better on new one) and my main gripe is that the geartronic box can be slow to respond if you "stutter" pulling away at roundabouts etc.
Hope this helps!
Cookie

 

[PaulT]

I've had 2 XC70's, both D5 Geartronics. I currently tow a Senator Indiana but before that we had a Provence.
It tows well, the Geartronic box is no problem. I'm not sure about Cookies comment regarding "stuttering" - I always put this down to turbo lag. On a long run, using cruise control, I get about 35mpg. Towing, I get about 30mpg. Servicing costs are not excessive.
I had one problem with the AWD when a valve failed in the 'box leaving me with only front wheel drive - cost to repair, including a major service was £1300. If you're buying from a dealer you're ok but if buying privately, check that the AWD works.
I agree with Cookie regarding comfort, last year we drove 14hours to Spain and I felt that I could just have turned round and driven back. If you buy one, make sure that it's got the winter pack. The built in sat-nav is good, not nearly as bad as some reports suggest.
Re the Audi Allroad - perhaps it's me but I've never driven a comfortable Audi yet!
For me the XC is a good all round choice, its reasonably quick, handles well and is a better bet than a "tall" SUV.

 

[cookie2]

Hi Paul,
Turbo lag is what the dealers claim, but if that was the case it would pull away,but slowly.mine does not respond to any throttle input once you have initially lifted.If it was lag it would always do it...with mine it's only when i hesitate.

 

[mcghee]

what mileage does your car have on it? if it's more than about 50-60k you should really change the auto 'box fluid. it'll cost you about £80 to buy the fluid from a volvo dealer and take about half an hour to change. it will make a world of difference to the throttle response and to the way the gearbox handles power input. i did this on my friend's 70k mile xc70 and it transformed the drive completely, with much more direct power delivery and generally more positive drive.

 

[mcghee]

and as a by-the-way. at 70k miles change the cambelt and pulleys as it is well known that the tensioner pulley can let go at around 70k due to a dry bearing. volvo specify 96k but will not honour any claim for failure before that time, as it's only a recommendation. failure can potentially cause £2500 of damage.

 

[PaulT]

Always have it regularly serviced by a Volvo dealer, cam belts etc all changed at 150,000 km's (it's a left hooker).

 

[otherclive]

Had the XC70 for a week now. Its an 2010 D5 with the 205ps geartronic auto box. It's a real delight to drive although not up to Mondeo standars, but with the heavier weight and increased ground clearance not too surprisng, but it does corner well and cushions out bumps and potholes. No sign whatsoever of turbo lag which is not surprising with twin turbos fittted. The geartronic cahnges are very quick and seamless, and when in manual auto it is still very precise in its changes. Not much storage space inside, my wifes Nissan Note has more, but it has forced me to cut back on "essentials" that I have carried around for years!!! I have not towed yet but with 90kg noseweight and SL suspension I don't anticicipate any problems. All our previous tow cars have had rear seat bases that lift up. This allows us to load heavy stuff such as food crates, awning, poles etc across the car and within the wheelbase. The dogs going in the back. The Vovo has fold flat seats and I don't fancy risking damage by putting too much weight on the flat backrests. So we will have all seats flat and carry the dogs in a crate. This seems a better option than buying a roof box and using the cars 100kg roof loading.
The good news is that over 500 solo miles with trips from the Midlands via M69/6/42/5/4 and driving on rural A roads I have got 40mpg without trying. But with such a fine engine which growls when booted I could see 30mpg, or less, easily obtainable with a sprited driver. Also at £225 for fully comp it is only £25 more than the Sorento which we had.

 

[JohnandNic]

Funny old world, Mondeo failed MOT, passed on retest tho', but with 120k on the clock we decided it was time for it to be rehomed. So just last night collected an '08 XC70 D5 geartronic yeaaaah. We both enjoyed the short drive home and looking forward to our first tow in about 5 weeks.

Seems to be quite a bit of interest in XC 70s at the moment, and they don't seem to hang about on forecourts.

John and Nic