6 replies to this topic

[N1CKTDV6]

If you read the AUDI report I do say "can't see a change" and those who know me will smirk I am sure, though those who know me well enough will also know the reason for the change.

So, needing 7 seats and looking no further than another Disco 3 it was a top gear repeat and the wife asking "what about a volvo" while Clarkson raved on about "the discovery 3 is the BEST in the WORLD, unless you don't want off road and then the XC90 is just as good"....

So the Audi sold and the quest to find a new tugboat began....requirements;  7 seats, self levelling suspension, 2000kg tow capability, the usual toys etc etc....after a short search I decided a new shape X5 was out of the price range, as was a later D3 HSE.  So I went to Hyundai and looked at a santa fe 7 seater, quite nice but no boot with the 3rd row of seats up.  XC90 thrust to the front !!

After looking around I found a privately owned (volvo sales director owned) car darn sarf...a metallic grey SE Lux with all the toys, it had been a dealer demo from new.  With 44k on the clock and a towbar fitted with volvo's clever tailer module in place I struck a deal and drove home.

Solo.....well it's no drag racer that's for sure !!  I am getting late 20's around town, late 30's on a motorway run.

Towing....can't fault it so far, I am not 100% convinced with the front wheel drive / four wheel drive scenario where the back ones dont work until the fronts loose grip...which could be too late, alas it's worked so far and twice I have been in a sticky position.

So 3500miles in to ownership I am very happy, it ticks the boxes and whilst the Audi A8 was a better car for driving and the Disco 3 was a better car off road I cannot fault the volvo too much as it hasn't failed yet...

Only complaint....it's a personal one too;  the 185BHP 5cyl felt flat before the remap, but thats just me....

[Blue Louis]

Ah...........haaaaa you have had a remap and so now that beautiful engine no doubt sounds even better.

I know how Phil1041 loved his XC90, as has every single other owner of them I have met over recent years, and to be honest, I have never ever heard a single bad word said about them.

So although it is no match for your beloved A8, my Christ it is a 'B' good car that you have chosen Nick and leaps and bounds better than the Hyundai you were thinking of (IMHO).

[bobnchris]

I think you may have bought it with the right mileage Nick.  We are approaching 45k and mpg is getting better - started at 24 mpg round town currently getting 28.9.  Bear in mind there are lots of hills in Blackburn with Darwen, now if I lived in Norfolk I would expect at least 30

[phil1041]

As Phil says, as a tow car i did indeed love the XC90, just hope the Merc tows as well as it drives solo, soon find out, towbar being fitted this week.


Phil.

[N1CKTDV6]

The remap has taken it to 235bhp and is much more driver friendly, a few volvo owners club members have put a bounty on my head I think after commenting "185 is plenty for most pfft"...I also treated it to new shoes this week, Pirelli Scorps all round and the drive is sooo different, and a nice new high flow air filter....

It's driving much more my style already....spit and polish at the weekend and we're cooking on gas !

[Blue Louis]

N1CKTDV6, on 05 March 2013 - 09:32 PM, said:

It's driving much more my style already....spit and polish at the weekend and we're cooking on gas !

A happy chappy then

[N1CKTDV6]

Yes I am and it's not been a superb start with having a couple of niggles, though I did buy private and I did negotiate quite hard to get the right price so in fairness they areonly things I would have thrown it at a dealer for if I had paid the extra for a forecourt vehicle.  I also had the 50k major service done, again it was on the dash when I bought it so allowed for that when I made the guy an offer.  Just had 4 new tyres - my choice tbh, never heard of "suntek" so put a proven choice on in the Pirelli's.