Hi All, welcome to the first buyers review of the new year, today we will kick off in style. The second generation Volvo s80, the first generation ran from 1998 until 2006, we already did a review about the first generation a few years ago, check it out if you want. Today we focus on the second generation that came onto the market in 2006 and ran for 10 years. Volvo no longer makes the s80 but the current s90 can be seen as kind of the successor to this car. Enough history. This s80 is sitting between the executive and limousine class. It can compete with the likes of the E-Class and 5-series but to a lesser degree also with the S-Class and 7series.
It is much cheaper then the German Trio but it has a sense of style that none of those cars offer, in that regard it falls into the same category as an A6 or A8. Plenty of engines were for sale, from 4 cylinder an few 5 cylinders a few 6 inline engines and even the infamous v8 that was engineered by yamaha.
Today we will check its reliability and inspect what to look out for when buying such a car.
This s80 had optional suspension settings with the name 4C, it is nice technology but it was complex, so when it breaks it will cost you, 4C allowed you to set the Volvo in the comfort, sport or advanced chassis settings, it compares with the airmatic from Mercedes. Offcource the s80 was also available with normal springs.
Engine wise, overall bulletproof and durable engines, but the D5 which is the 5 cylinder diesel has the tendency to run on four cylinders instead of five. The easy fix would be to check all connectors, the hard fix would be a broken injector. Similar to the CDI problems of Mercedes. Overall the D5 is reliable and durable. Perfect fit for the s80.
The automatic gearboxes are not very refined, especially the early production models from the late 2000’s, as always it is a good idea to flush them out and renew the transmission oil to stay ahead of problems. It is a topic I already remind viewers off.
The four cylinder diesel, branded eDrive have problems with the regeneration of the particle filter, also troubles with a rising oil level that causes problems with the catalytic converter. It is important to sometimes especially when the engine is warm to floor it to blast away any buildup in the engine.
The 5 cylinder petrol has potental problem with the oil filter housing, you will hear a wistle sound, a new filter house can be placed and this will eliminate the problem, myself I am dealing with this issue as well, but my car just turned 17 so I forgive her.
All and all quite reliable and a good under the radar alturnative to the German trio.
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