Question for Volvo owners

[dragon32a]

Hi Guys(and gals),

I am thinking now along the lines of a volvo (as I can find a 4x4 I can afford) so I was wondering if anyone uses a 2ltr volvo or volvo estate to tow with and what weight of van they are towing. I am towing with a Peugeot 406 turbo petrol at the moment but this tends to run on a little being pushed by my 83 Elddis, due I think to the light weight Peugeot. The "PUG" pulls it without problems even up hill. Any help and advice would be welcome.

Don

 

[Guest]

I towed with a 2 litre Volvo 940 for a couple of years before replacing it with an S80. The caravan maxed at 1200 kg and the Volvo towed it happily. It was an automatic and so a supplementary oil cooler was fitted, but newer cars do not need this at all. It probably carried as much, if not more 'junk' than many 4x4's as the boot was huge.

If you have a look at the Volvo Owner's Club website

http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/index.shtml
I am sure somehwere in there is a list of all Volvos with kerbweights and recommended towing weights. There is also a section for owners towing with Vovlos for chat and information.

One downside I did find, and still do, was that the fuel consumption of petrol cars towing is never ever going to match diesels. However, it is not always as big a difference as might at first appear. A lot depends on your annual mileage, if you are retired like me then the cost differentials of diesels will take an awful long time to equalise out.

 

[dragon32a]

Thanks Scotch Lad I will give that a try,

Don

 

[MONKEY1]

Donald,

Quick History of Volvo engines

Volvo 740/940 Volvo TD engine built under licence from Renault

S40 early models had a Renault built TD engine later models had a Volvo direct injection diesel new model has the current generation D series engine (lovely)

850 had an Audi built 5 cylinders 2.5 - very economical and very easy to service.

V70 had the D5 engine which is one of the best diesels around

Monkeys Husband

 

[Guest]

True, but these are only the diesels. What about the petrol engines?

 

[farmerdave21]

Hi Donald,

I have had 2 Volvo V70's over the past 3 years my first being the 2.4SE petrol which was very thirsty towing. I changed this year to the D5 AWD & it is brilliant. The kerbweight is 1685KG and it tows my 2004 Bailey Twin Axle caravan with no trouble

MIRO 1388KG. It returns about 28MPG towing which i consider to be good considering my caravan & about 39MPG Solo. The fact it is AWD means its just as good as any of the 4x4 on the market ok you have not got the ground clearance, but hey it will certainly get you off a muddy field.

Go for the diesel every time as my petrol returned about 19MPG towing.

I rate the v70 D5 as 1 of the best all round tow cars with loads of space being an estate and plenty of luxury & comfort etc

Good Luck

David

 

[Guest]

David,

I fully agree with everything you say, however, I would suggest each person has to look at his/her own requirements and decide. If you do a lot of mileage then diesels make economic sense, if you are retired like me and only use the car for social purposes then the arguement is not so great. I average 11000 miles per annum, mostly in the summer with the van on the back and average 20 mpg. Assuming a similar mileage and 26 mpg for diesel (I took the average from the VOC) and using the current forecourt prices I spend about 480-500 pounds more per year on fuel. As diesels have a price differential of around 2.5-3 grand for Volvos then it will take me 5-6 years to break even on costs. I also have to look at the secondhand market for my cars so with a fixed budget I look for the best car at the price, and the engine may take 2nd spot on the list. I also note that usually petrol models have much lower mileages than equivalent diesels.

If someone would give me a new diesel Volvo I would happily accept, in the meantime I am happy with my choice.

Each to their own.

 

[Ellis_5063253]

hi Donald

i have a1998 2.3Lpt 940 est kw weight 1570kg van luner eb 1350 kg max 24mpg towing 30+ solo 4th volvo great can not aford a new d5

 

[Paul_5129117]

Hi Donald

I am on my third Volvo now. The first was a rear wheel drive 240, that had a 2.4L petrol engine and was a thirsty beast but towed so well it was forgiven anything. The second was a front wheel drive 850 with a 2L 20valve petrol engine, that was also a brilliant tow car and as monkey said was very economical. Only problem was the front wheel drive didn't like damp grass on slopes with a 1200kg van on the back. This made me change to a V70 AWD with a 2.4L petrol engine (used D5 AWD cars are thin on the ground). I find it not a lot thirstier than the 850 but a lot better than the 240, presumably it's the fuel injection and turbo being better than a carbureter (is that spelt right?). Everyone says that the D5 engine is better than the petrol so from my experience it must be one hell of an engine.

Go for a V70 with petrol or diesel is my advice.

 

[John_374224558]

I am looking to replace my 4 year old Vectra 2.2 petrol within a few months and am seriously looking at a late letter V70 Diesel. Everyone seems to rave about them and I assume that the legendary Volvo build quality is still there. The last time i drove a "proper" Volvo it was a 240 Estate so obviously things have moved on a lot since then. I can't make up my mind whether to go for a manual or a geartronic-does anyone tow with one of these and what are they like. I am in the process of changing my 'van and the new one will have a max weight of 1490kg.

Also how dear is Volvo servicing? This is obviously going to be a major investment so I need to get it right.

 

[AnnM1]

My OH was a 'true blue Saab man' up to a few years ago. Then he changed to Volvo (we are now on our 3rd). We always go for the estate versions as the storage area is huge (with or without the rear seats down). Our current one is the XC70 D5 AWD and is great. Plenty of torque when required and effortless motoring, even with me driving! It also tows a dream. Volvo safety is still outstanding. Take a look around your local Volvo dealership, ask for a test drive and enquire about servicing. Then it will be up to you.

 

[John_374224558]

Thanks Ann,

Appreciate your comments, obviously a dealer is going to tell me what he thinks I want to hear so that is where the owners can comment about what they are REALLY like. I am still particularly interested to know more about this geartronic,especially when towing, any other thoughts gratefully received.

Many thanks,

John.

 

[Kevin_374227685]

Just got rid of a S60D5SE, 53 plate after 85000miles from new. Excellent engine, good handling, good build quality, ride quality is OK but a bit on the sporty side of comfortable, 50mpg on a run, 38mpg round town. Main drawback with my useage was the ridiculously expensive service costs, cheapest was

 

[John_374224558]

Thanks Kevin, I think you have confirmed what I was thinking, Im not sure how Volvo's justify such servicing costs, perhaps I have got too used to Vauxhalls costs being lower. Still trying to make my mind up what to get but the V70 just keeps rattling around in my mind.

John.

 

[Maz_5041035]

John

Have a look at the What Care website & click on Readers Reviews, you may find useful feedback from v70 owners.

 

[John_374224558]

Maz,

Thanks for that idea, will have a look.

John.

 

[MONKEY1]

Have a look @ the Volvo owners forum, there is bound to be a good Volvo specialist independent near you that will charge about 50% less than a Volvo dealer that whilst being very good are being turned into 5 star hotels by ford. All very unnecessary.

 

[John_374224558]

Have just done what Maz suggested and had a look at the reviews on the What Car website. It's really got me wondering now, as I didn't realise that there would be such a mixed response and so much hostility towards Volvos. Im rapidly thinking of other makes to look at now!

 

[Darrall_374227822]

Hi Donald I had a 2002 Volvo C70 2.0 turbo as a company car and when towing the fuel bills made me cry 17mpg though best tow car i have had as kerb weight circa 1600 kg