Volvo S60 D5 - 7k

Styles

Styles

Styles

Soldato
Joined
16 Mar 2005
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2,889
Location
UK
Hi everyone,

I now have 7k to spend on a car with the following requirements:

- Family Car with good boot space
- Safe
- Diesel
- Manual
- Comfortable

So I've basically set on the Volvo S60, approx a 2005 model with a full black leather interior.

I don't really want anything other than the 185bhp D5.

Any recommendations of what to look for in a used model? Should I buy trade or private?

Thanks for your help :)
 
I have one of these.

Top engine mount is often knackered. About £30 and easy to replace.

Injectors where a common issue on older examples, and serious monet to replace.

Other than that they are pretty solid. I've had no serious problems on an 02 model, I've done 15k in it.
 
Styles said:
What do you mean by poor boot access?

Thanks
Click to expand...

The boot opening is quite small for the size of the car. I struggle to get my golf clubs in, also had a hard time with a pressure washer as well. It really could do with being bigger. Also agree on the rear visability, Its hit and miss (literally( how close the car behind you is when reversing :-)

Apart from that brilliant car, mines done 170k and only had the engine top mount and alternator replaced, also a 2005 model.

D

*edit* forgot to mention that rear leg room for the car size is a bit pants.
 
The opening is a bit awkward but the boot itself is vast.

I havent heard of injector problems on later cars and I would imagine the engine mount would be the revised unit on the 185 cars, the rubber is square rather than round on the new ones.

Lower control arms can be a problem on them, the giveaway is a clonk from the front end under full lock and excesive rubbing of the tyres (a little bit is normal under full lock on 17's).

Ive had mine 2 years (facelift '05 163 se) and I actually really like it, the 185's are more thirsty due to the dmf so I wouldnt discount 163's as well over 50 mpg can be achieved on a run.
 
Boycie said:
The boot opening is quite small for the size of the car. I struggle to get my golf clubs in, also had a hard time with a pressure washer as well. It really could do with being bigger. Also agree on the rear visability, Its hit and miss (literally( how close the car behind you is when reversing :-)

Apart from that brilliant car, mines done 170k and only had the engine top mount and alternator replaced, also a 2005 model.

D

*edit* forgot to mention that rear leg room for the car size is a bit pants.
Click to expand...

Hmm, I'll have to check the boot when I see it to make sure It'll be good enough.

If I were to buy a 2005 model with circa 80k on the clock, I'm assuming I can expect this to go on for a long time (if well looked after) then!

Leg room won't be an issue as my son is only 3 months old!
 
viper_2003 said:
The opening is a bit awkward but the boot itself is vast.

I havent heard of injector problems on later cars and I would imagine the engine mount would be the revised unit on the 185 cars, the rubber is square rather than round on the new ones.

Lower control arms can be a problem on them, the giveaway is a clonk from the front end under full lock and excesive rubbing of the tyres (a little bit is normal under full lock on 17's).

Ive had mine 2 years (facelift '05 163 se) and I actually really like it, the 185's are more thirsty due to the dmf so I wouldnt discount 163's as well over 50 mpg can be achieved on a run.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply,

I'd be interested to see if there was any real world performance difference between the 185 and 163, I imagine the 163 still shifts?
 
Styles said:
Hmm, I'll have to check the boot when I see it to make sure It'll be good enough.

If I were to buy a 2005 model with circa 80k on the clock, I'm assuming I can expect this to go on for a long time (if well looked after) then!

Leg room won't be an issue as my son is only 3 months old!
Click to expand...

A friend at work has one with 250K on it however it is worth mentioning we both have the 163 bhp D5, you may wish to take a look on http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/
There's plenty of advice on there on what to look for. I bought my car with the same millage as the one your looking at in 2007. The alternator appears to be a problem, if you look on the forums there are quite a few people with alternator failures at around 145k. Also with higher milages the handbrake friction material has been known to seperate from the shoe inside the hub and has on occasions locked the rear wheels, search on the forum for handbrake failure.

D
 
My father has a 54 plate S80 D5 with 60k, OK at pulling a great massive weight of Volvo behind it, I can imagine a smaller with same engine be pretty good, it eats tyres, suspension mounts & bushes go all the time, both front windows stopped working and the power steering pump is leaking.

It is very nice and relaxed to drive but does cost a bit to keep it running
 
Can also vouch for the excellent economy on the 163, with regular motorway driving I rarely see below 49 mpg indicated on the trip computer.
 
I had a V70 2.5T before my S60. It's not quite as fast, but certainly not slow. Mine is the 163HP. It's a really torquey engine and the gearing seems a little strange at first.

Fuel economy is unbelievable for the size of the car.

DMFs are very expensive to put right should they go wrong, i'd say this is as good a reason as any to stick with the 163 :)

With the seats down the rear space is enormous, the only thing lacking over the V70 is height and access. If the seats are down i tend to pit stuff in through the rear passenger door if it's tight. I really thought i'd miss having an estate, but i don't.
 
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The Edge said:
I had a V70 2.5T before my S60. It's not quite as fast, but certainly not slow. Mine is the 163HP. It's a really torquey engine and the gearing seems a little strange at first.

Fuel economy is unbelievable for the size of the car.

DMFs are very expensive to put right should they go wrong, i'd say this is as good a reason as any to stick with the 163 :)

With the seats down the rear space is enormous, the only thing lacking over the V70 is height and access. If the seats are down i tend to pit stuff in through the rear passenger door if it's tight. I really thought i'd miss having an estate, but i don't.
Click to expand...

Hi,

What's the DMF?

Thanks
 
Why does it have to be a diesel?

I've had a 2.0 Turbo and for an entry level S60 it was fantastic, very impressive car and can be picked up for not a lot of money.
 
I bought a 2005 D5 SE auto around 3 months ago.
The boot is a reasonable size, if not as easy to load as a hatch. The turning circle is embarrassingly rubbish, but I've learned to mostly work around that. Fuel consumption is mid 30s in stop start London traffic and high 40s on a run.
Overall, I love it, and much prefer to our previous BMW 330i sport. The only other things that come to mind are:
1. Why bother with a manual? As a drivers car, it's a bit crap frankly. It's definitely focused on "waftability" and does that very well. IMO that makes it very suited to an auto box. Lastly, auto's don't have DMFs, which are notorious for breaking and being expensive to replace.
2. When cold, it really does rattle like a London taxi. Get it warmed up, and it's fine, but do be aware that it's a bit rough and noisy from start up.
 
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