Buying a new XC70
I have a 2003 Volvo XC70 diesel auto estate which I have owned from new and which has a little over 60K miles on the clock.
It has generally been reliable, but has recently required both front coil springs to be replaced, the rear wiper motor, and the fuel filter housing (the part for which took around 3 weeks for a Volvo dealer to locate), as well as a replacement cam belt.
As I will need to transport children and their luggage around the country for the next 7 years or so, I think now is the time to replace the car, but I am concerned by reports of the new generation diesel engines being less likely to last as long as older generation engines (the new XC70 will have a latest generation 215 bhp diesel engine, compared with a 163 bhp engine on my current car).
In addition, should I specify 17 inch wheels or the 18 inch wheels with lower profile tyres?
My preference is for the former which will have Pirelli Scorpions - the same as my current car- which give a good ride and are good in snow. The other option is to keep the current car and hope that there will be fewer large repair bills over the next few years. What is your advice?
It has generally been reliable, but has recently required both front coil springs to be replaced, the rear wiper motor, and the fuel filter housing (the part for which took around 3 weeks for a Volvo dealer to locate), as well as a replacement cam belt.
As I will need to transport children and their luggage around the country for the next 7 years or so, I think now is the time to replace the car, but I am concerned by reports of the new generation diesel engines being less likely to last as long as older generation engines (the new XC70 will have a latest generation 215 bhp diesel engine, compared with a 163 bhp engine on my current car).
In addition, should I specify 17 inch wheels or the 18 inch wheels with lower profile tyres?
My preference is for the former which will have Pirelli Scorpions - the same as my current car- which give a good ride and are good in snow. The other option is to keep the current car and hope that there will be fewer large repair bills over the next few years. What is your advice?
Asked on 9 May 2011 by NP, Kent
Answered by
Honest John
17" with Pirelli Scorpions definitely better. 18" will ruin the ride to no benefit at all. The twin turbo 215 D5 is not the only engine option for the XC70. You can also go for the reduced capacity 2.0 litre five cylinder D3, that is more economical . See: www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/volvo/xc70-2007/?sec...d
Real MPG enables you to register the fuel economy you are actually getting against your make and model of car, its engine and type of transmission.
Every time you enter an average consumption figure against your car, the overall average automatically adjusts to reflect it.
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