XC90 D5 questions

Post 809562 by MoleT-5R on 2017-02-11 11:42:12

I'm currently thinking of buying an XC90 D5, as the need of family, dogs and need to pull 850's around demand it's now necessary to have one. I'm looking at D5's and ideally want the 185hp model as opposed to the lesser 163 model, I realise that from 06 they cost twice as much to tax so limits my choice to 55 and below for the cheaper tax. But can the 163 hp models be easily and cheaply mapped up to the same power levels....if so I might then be able to have a later model then and still have good pulling power with the 850 on the back. Plus if you have any pitfalls of buying one of these cars please feel free to chip in and share, as I want to make sure I get the right model and right years to avoid any costly mistakes...:slap:

Post 809573 by Blackdog on 2017-02-11 16:11:39

The 163 D5 V70's map to 220 bhp and circa 450 nm torque so I would think the XC90 would be the same. I think Don wants in the order of £400 for the MTE map. BSR are about the same if you contact them rather than the website price.

Post 810264 by MoleT-5R on 2017-03-05 20:25:05

Narrowed my search and found myself a relatively tidy 55 plate xc90 d5 ocean race auto with some nice toys in to play with. Any things to watch out for folk, when I take her out this week before bringing her home, she's done 120,000 and runs as quiet as a mouse, I was shocked at how quiet the d5 is when she started up. Unfortunately she has an alternator issue so couldn't take her out for a run when I saw her this weekend, but a new alternator and battery will be fitted this week, so hopefully we'll have a hitch free test drive this weekend.

Post 810267 by stribo on 2017-03-05 22:22:46

The gaytronic gearboxes have been known to fail at higher miles, and a lot of them seem to be 2WD as they have an appetite for the angle gear sleeve. Also stereo systems can be temperamental, but the rest of the electrics are fine, and don't expect great mpg even with the diesel, these are heavy old buses.

Post 810268 by Doingitsideways on 2017-03-05 22:47:18

Biggest problem with the D5 is it's not the V8 :lol:

Post 810276 by MoleT-5R on 2017-03-06 04:50:21

[QUOTE=stribo;810267]The gaytronic gearboxes have been known to fail at higher miles, and a lot of them seem to be 2WD as they have an appetite for the angle gear sleeve. Also stereo systems can be temperamental, but the rest of the electrics are fine, and don't expect great mpg even with the diesel, these are heavy old buses.[/QUOTE] thanks Steve that's pretty much confirms what I had heard over the years, but I thought the gaytronic box was meant to be better late 05 onwards ?? [QUOTE=Doingitsideways;810268]Biggest problem with the D5 is it's not the V8 :lol:[/QUOTE] yep you've got me there mate, she's going to be a workhorse for dog's, trailers and camping etc and will no doubt be towing the Green bitch to drag meets and most definitely towing it home when it breaks......lol I would have loved a v8 but tax and fuel seem to be a lot more, so for now I'll start with a D5 and work up if I need too

Post 810278 by stribo on 2017-03-06 08:25:01

[QUOTE=MoleT-5R;810276]thanks Steve that's pretty much confirms what I had heard over the years, but I thought the gaytronic box was meant to be better late 05 onwards ?? [/QUOTE] Ideally you want a 6 speed, as they seem more reliable, though a 5 speed that's had regular fluid changes should be o.k. Our 2.5T manual can be made R spec with just an intake, turbo, and injectors swap, and a remap. :)

Post 810282 by Doingitsideways on 2017-03-06 09:41:26

You mean the green bitch is gonna be a trailer queen now? Boo!! :lol: Actually, that's one way I could run even more cars... Bring trailers! ;) On a serious note though, Ade, the Ocean Race is a lovely motor. Alternator issue is most likely the regulator as they seem to fail at 100-120k. That's what's stopping me from hooning around in mine at the monent anyway. MUCH easier to change on a D5 though :(

Post 810286 by Dangerous Dave on 2017-03-06 11:37:35

[QUOTE=stribo;810278]Our 2.5T manual can be made R spec with just an intake, turbo, and injectors swap, and a remap. :)[/QUOTE] What is the tax on the 2.5T? I thought I read somewhere it was the higher rate like the V8?

Post 810289 by stribo on 2017-03-06 12:18:13

[QUOTE=Dangerous Dave;810286]What is the tax on the 2.5T? I thought I read somewhere it was the higher rate like the V8?[/QUOTE] As ours is an 2005 it's still £295. :D

Post 810316 by LiamT4 on 2017-03-07 19:27:10

[QUOTE=Dangerous Dave;810286]What is the tax on the 2.5T? I thought I read somewhere it was the higher rate like the V8?[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=stribo;810289]As ours is an 2005 it's still £295. :D[/QUOTE] Yeah, 2006 onwards it's in the higher bracket. Not sure if its £490 or £505 though

Post 810335 by Ettienne on 2017-03-08 07:54:24

[QUOTE=LiamT4;810316]Yeah, 2006 onwards it's in the higher bracket. Not sure if its £490 or £505 though[/QUOTE] 2006 March 21 onwards, my sonic is registered 14 march ex main dealer car, so guess they registered it just in time.

Post 810372 by Dangerous Dave on 2017-03-09 21:48:15

Ah nice. Didn't know they did the 2.5T in the earlier models

Post 810380 by stribo on 2017-03-10 10:33:09

When the XC90 first came out they did a 2.5T with FWD only.

Post 810381 by Tim Williams on 2017-03-10 13:03:40

The 6 speed's much better to drive and the boxes last longer. Unfortunately the 185 engines can be the biggest sack of cr*p. The only one worth having is the V8, not because it's a V8 but they are effortless to drive unlike the 163s that feel over loaded all the time or the 185s that when remapped have an on off switch for an accelerator pedal. If the seven seats aren't needed and it's to be a workhorse an X5 knocks spots off an XC90.

Post 810388 by Ettienne on 2017-03-10 15:54:58

[QUOTE=Tim Williams;810381]The 6 speed's much better to drive and the boxes last longer. Unfortunately the 185 engines can be the biggest sack of cr*p. The only one worth having is the V8, not because it's a V8 but they are effortless to drive unlike the 163s that feel over loaded all the time or the 185s that when remapped have an on off switch for an accelerator pedal. If the seven seats aren't needed and it's to be a workhorse an X5 knocks spots off an XC90.[/QUOTE] Your not wrong 6sp is a nice gearbox, my mapped xc90 d5 isn't too bad on the throttle, but I did drive a Rica mapped d5 which was awful felt like engine mounts had gone, it was ridiculous. I picked mine up cheap as it had the Bosch ecu over fuel and melt a piston, had Shem fit a low-ish mileage engine and it's been good as good since. Went through it front to back and keep on top of maintenance seems to help.

Post 810411 by MoleT-5R on 2017-03-11 09:19:08

[QUOTE=Tim Williams;810381]The 6 speed's much better to drive and the boxes last longer. Unfortunately the 185 engines can be the biggest sack of cr*p. The only one worth having is the V8, not because it's a V8 but they are effortless to drive unlike the 163s that feel over loaded all the time or the 185s that when remapped have an on off switch for an accelerator pedal. If the seven seats aren't needed and it's to be a workhorse an X5 knocks spots off an XC90.[/QUOTE] thanks Tim for the info, I did here that x5's can be troublesome too and didn't get a great revue from my local recovery chap, who reckoned he was always picking them up and taking them back to where they came from as they seem to regularly breakdown when they enter wales. I have gone for an Ocean race Xc90 d5 (163bhp) and enjoyed a lovely run up though wales yesterday after picking her up down by newport, it may not be all that powerful, but she glides along effortlessly and I don't feel a need to hurry anywhere as it's just such a pleasure to drive and got the t-5r's for blasting about in ;)

Post 810446 by LiamT4 on 2017-03-12 22:20:04

I've driven my mates 163bhp one a few times and, while it is very slow, it didn't really matter as it was such a relaxing drive.

Post 810447 by MoleT-5R on 2017-03-12 23:52:55

[QUOTE=LiamT4;810446]I've driven my mates 163bhp one a few times and, while it is very slow, it didn't really matter as it was such a relaxing drive.[/QUOTE] Your right there Liam, I get in the xc's and it's such a pleasure to drive that hurrying goes right out the window and I enjoy a nice drive out

Post 810449 by Doingitsideways on 2017-03-13 09:04:54

Pics please :)

Post 810450 by dionbullock on 2017-03-13 09:26:59

My sister has a 54 reg 163bhp, done 160k miles. I've driven it several times and can confirm they are very nice to drive! Economy was low/mid 30's which isn't too bad for such a big car and the only gremlins experienced was the car going into limp a few times. Diagnostics confirmed it was low fuel pressure, not sure what the remedy was (it was something to do with the float in the tank iirc?) but it wasn't and expensive fix! Miles better than the Renault Espace she had before the XC90! :D Would love a V8 though! :)

Post 810451 by MoleT-5R on 2017-03-13 09:27:07

[QUOTE=Doingitsideways;810449]Pics please :)[/QUOTE] I've got to chuck a bucket of water or 2 over her first, as she's got a little mucky over the last couple of hundred miles I've done in her over the weekend, but I will get some pics up soon mate.

Post 810452 by stribo on 2017-03-13 09:37:37

[QUOTE=MoleT-5R;810447]Your right there Liam, I get in the xc's and it's such a pleasure to drive that hurrying goes right out the window and I enjoy a nice drive out[/QUOTE] I drive ours like I stole it, it surprising how quickly it'll change direction, body roll isn't too bad either. We'll have to arrange an XC90 drag meet. :D

Post 810456 by MoleT-5R on 2017-03-13 11:03:44

[QUOTE=stribo;810452]I drive ours like I stole it, it surprising how quickly it'll change direction, body roll isn't too bad either. We'll have to arrange an XC90 drag meet. :D[/QUOTE] even though it's only a 163bhp model it does get along well and I can nip passed cars in my usual sneaky passing spots with a little pre-planning, surprising really for a 2ton plus car....;)

Post 810457 by Doingitsideways on 2017-03-13 13:49:39

[QUOTE=stribo;810452]I drive ours like I stole it, it surprising how quickly it'll change direction, body roll isn't too bad either. We'll have to arrange an XC90 drag meet. :D[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=MoleT-5R;810456]even though it's only a 163bhp model it does get along well and I can nip passed cars in my usual sneaky passing spots with a little pre-planning, surprising really for a 2ton plus car....;)[/QUOTE] Can my V8 come to this private party?

Post 810460 by Ettienne on 2017-03-13 16:28:37

[QUOTE=MoleT-5R;810456]even though it's only a 163bhp model it does get along well and I can nip passed cars in my usual sneaky passing spots with a little pre-planning, surprising really for a 2ton plus car....;)[/QUOTE] Yep they are surprising, haven't driven a v8 yet, but new t6 2.0 is entertaining. Can always map it, had two mapped 163's at the Dyno the other day 208 and 211bhp they achieved iirc. Did you opt for auto or manual.

Post 810472 by MoleT-5R on 2017-03-13 20:28:19

[QUOTE=Doingitsideways;810457]Can my V8 come to this private party?[/QUOTE] of course it can, but I'm not sure her indoors approves though.......lol

Post 810474 by Doingitsideways on 2017-03-13 21:08:46

[QUOTE=MoleT-5R;810472]of course it can, but I'm not sure her indoors approves though.......lol[/QUOTE] Ah, so it's not a "keys in the bowl" kinda party? :lol:

Post 810484 by MoleT-5R on 2017-03-13 22:52:18

[QUOTE=Doingitsideways;810474]Ah, so it's not a "keys in the bowl" kinda party? :lol:[/QUOTE] Why you hoping to get lucky with a more economic model that's cheaper on tax too.?

Post 810485 by stribo on 2017-03-13 22:55:38

[QUOTE=MoleT-5R;810484]Why you hoping to get lucky with a more economic model that's cheaper on tax too.?[/QUOTE] Probably just one that works. ;)

Post 810487 by Doingitsideways on 2017-03-14 00:16:01

[QUOTE=stribo;810485]Probably just one that works. ;)[/QUOTE] Touché

Post 810494 by MoleT-5R on 2017-03-14 10:58:51

[QUOTE=Ettienne;810460]Did you opt for auto or manual.[/QUOTE] auto Steve, don't want to work in this one, just cruise from a to b and back again...:) [QUOTE=stribo;810485]Probably just one that works. ;)[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Doingitsideways;810487]Touché[/QUOTE] He'll love this one it was fitted with a brand new alternator and battery before I picked it up....:)

Post 810498 by stribo on 2017-03-14 14:09:45

[QUOTE=MoleT-5R;810494]auto Steve, don't want to work in this one, just cruise from a to b and back again...:)[/QUOTE] TBF, the clutch and gear shift on the manaul is so light it's no chore, hill starts are a different matter though, as the manual has the same foot/handbrake as the auto. :(

Post 810504 by Doingitsideways on 2017-03-14 14:35:19

[QUOTE=MoleT-5R;810494] He'll love this one it was fitted with a brand new alternator and battery before I picked it up....:)[/QUOTE] I hate you

Post 815123 by MoleT-5R on 2017-12-30 15:01:57

[COLOR=#000000][FONT=verdana]Sadly, after many months of ownership of our 2005 (55) XC90 Ocean Race, the wipers for no reason stopped working whilst sailing along the m54 in some awful weather conditions. Although I did manage to get to my destination, I was unable to find a cause for the fault and on my return I've been through the car from back to front checking fuses, relays and earthing points etc, but still unable to get the wipers working. Currently I have a temporary cable running from the earth terminal of the wiper relay to earth (via a switch in the cabin), just so I can legally use the car. Has anyone else had this issue? is it likely to be CEM related? as this appears to control the relays grounding, also can the CEM be swapped out and plug'n'play with another XC90 CEM?[/FONT][/COLOR]