D5's... Talk to me.

[Biff]

I'm looking at s60 d5 sports. The car I'm looking at is a 163bhp manual on a 54 plate. It's pretty low miles & doesn't look to shabby.
I haven't got a clue with p2's but I remember mr evans99 saying that this year & engine was the one to go for.
What am I looking at common fault wise?
Will I regret getting a p2? I've decided against a p1 tdi as I think it will just increase the void left by the fakeR.

[Ettienne]

I saw the post and was just about to say the above, when I spoke with Shem recently ref his fathers xc90 d5, best to go for pre 06 and (without dpf) and manual. Iirc he said the 05/55 were the last without dpf but had some facelift features (we were talking about xc90s, not sure how much crosses over)

[The Flying Moose]

Yep best combination by far, facelift but with the better more fuel efficient engine and no euro crap.

Main things to look at I would say are dual mass excessive vibration as its not a cheap job and excessive black smoke on acceleration as intercoolers go on these fairly frequently as they age.

In terms of car, for an everyday cruiser you'll struggle to get anything more comfortable and with a better stereo from factory, sport adds some nice features too and better seats with larger boulsters.

Real world mpg high 40's I'd be looking to pay around 2k for an average mileage at that age and spec.

[Biff]

the car does have a gap in the service history which worries me but it's cheaper than £2k.
I think I might go for a look the weekend, certainly fancy one after hearing an s80 earlier.

[stribo]

Some D5s had a problem with the lifters, may only have been the later ones, but just make sure the engine doesn't sound too tappety, as it's not a cheap fix.

[Biff]

Some D5s had a problem with the lifters, may only have been the later ones, but just make sure the engine doesn't sound too tappety, as it's not a cheap fix.

That rings a bell Steve, think that's the 185 engine with the noisey lifters. A mechanic mate said the engines rarely go wrong & the auto boxes are the downfall of most of them.

The car I'm looking at has a space ball knob yet the others don't. Is it not a facelift upgrade?
Can I buy an iPod aux kit for the standard stereo?
Cheers lads, think a d5 will be a good choice but the big bills are what put me off last time.
I don't fancy spending my weekends trying to fix it or selling my arse to pay for it.
All modern cars are the same!!
So frustrating.

[The Flying Moose]

Spaceball was a cost option extra.

There's quite a few aux type adaptors about an eBay search throws up quite a few options. I think imiv or something like that was one of the more popular ones.

Agree with you on bills, just have to hope you find a good one. Fingers crossed

[JamesT5]

The 163 euro 3 system is a good option, there's no DPF to clog up and they can map to 200bhp easily and if not 225 with a good map. Any more than that and you run a higher risk of popping the intercooler.

The 163 D5 was rebadged 2.4D when they launched the 185 D5 and these are fitted with the euro 4 exhaust, so DPF etc. They still map well but the DPF can clog up pretty damn quick with the increased combustion (hence the euro 3 is preferred). Some people are removing the DPF (illegal) and replacing it with just a blank/dummy version to satisfy the eyes of the MOT tester. An SMF conversion and uprated intercooler will allow you to get the 163's up to at least 250bhp or more with supporting mods including a hybrid turbo.

I've got a friend who owns the 163 euro 4 version and he's researched this in mega detail. His car is now running over 200 bhp on stock parts. He's been filling me in on his research ready for my D5's performance upgrade.

[Biff]

I won't be tuning it. Reliability & economy are top priority. I may lower it a tad but it will be cosmetic mods & improvements to the spec.
Sounds like this car is ideal then. Think the space ball was a bit of an odd option. Lol
I like it.
Let's see what I can get out of the saab money wise & I may be able to stretch a bit further.

[Ettienne]

Caseys Euro 3 made 223bhp I still have a copy of the Dyno chart somewhere. It's the clutch and flywheel you have to watch especially tuned.

[Ettienne]

That rings a bell Steve, think that's the 185 engine with the noisey lifters. A mechanic mate said the engines rarely go wrong & the auto boxes are the downfall of most of them.

The car I'm looking at has a space ball knob yet the others don't. Is it not a facelift upgrade?
Can I buy an iPod aux kit for the standard stereo?
Cheers lads, think a d5 will be a good choice but the big bills are what put me off last time.
I don't fancy spending my weekends trying to fix it or selling my arse to pay for it.
All modern cars are the same!!
So frustrating.

I've got an iPod aux kit fitted to standard stereo

[Biff]

I've got an iPod aux kit fitted to standard stereo

How does it fit Steve via the aerial input?

I think if the 185bhp models have trouble then I wouldn't tune it at all. I don't want to have to put a dmf/clutch on it just for the sake of more power which I wont really need at 70mph on the A-roads where it would spend most of its life.

[Redbrick]

The 163 euro 3 system is a good option, there's no DPF to clog up and they can map to 200bhp easily and if not 225 with a good map. Any more than that and you run a higher risk of popping the intercooler.

The standard car is more than capable of blowing an intercooler.

200bhp easily? - given they are getting on for 10+ years old I'd have to disagree.

I had RICA sport tune and methanol/water injection and had 203bhp from memory. That ate DMF's, clutches and intercoolers for breakfast.

An MTE D5 tune feeds the power in progressively, makes for a much nicer to drive as the throttle mapping is more progressive and touch wood is easier on components.

My MY2003 has T5 DMF, S60R clutch and FMIC coupled with MTE tune; not spent any money other than wear and tear for a few years. Engine is very tired at 230K but that will be swopped out when funds allow.

[Biff]

The standard car is more than capable of blowing an intercooler.

200bhp easily? - given they are getting on for 10+ years old I'd have to disagree.

I had RICA sport tune and methanol/water injection and had 203bhp from memory. That ate DMF's, clutches and intercoolers for breakfast.

An MTE D5 tune feeds the power in progressively, makes for a much nicer to drive as the throttle mapping is more progressive and touch wood is easier on components.

My MY2003 has T5 DMF, S60R clutch and FMIC coupled with MTE tune; not spent any money other than wear and tear for a few years. Engine is very tired at 230K but that will be swopped out when funds allow.

The MTE map sounds very similar to the t5 map I had, that was very progressive.
I can be doing without all those issues.

[cherry1809]

Can't fault mine really. Only probs I've had were the boost solinoid, which I now just clean every 3 months or so, and don't let miles left in the tank drop below 200. Just clicked over 250,000k as well.

[Biff]

200 miles?!Seems a lot. I take it that's to stop all the crud in the tank getting sucked through?

[Ettienne]

The standard car is more than capable of blowing an intercooler.

200bhp easily? - given they are getting on for 10+ years old I'd have to disagree.

I had RICA sport tune and methanol/water injection and had 203bhp from memory. That ate DMF's, clutches and intercoolers for breakfast.

An MTE D5 tune feeds the power in progressively, makes for a much nicer to drive as the throttle mapping is more progressive and touch wood is easier on components.

My MY2003 has T5 DMF, S60R clutch and FMIC coupled with MTE tune; not spent any

money other than wear and tear for a few years. Engine is very tired at 230K but that will be swopped out when funds allow.

I'd use the 850 t5 solid flywheel and s60r clutch, if I buy a d5 that's the route I'd go.

[Ettienne]

How does it fit Steve via the aerial input?

I think if the 185bhp models have trouble then I wouldn't tune it at all. I don't want to have to put a dmf/clutch on it just for the sake of more power which I wont really need at 70mph on the A-roads where it would spend most of its life.

Plugs into changer port on mine

[Ettienne]

This is his Dyno graph, rica 3 map and exhaust, used to egg to 140-145 easily then run out of gears.
Rica throttle response was ridiculous, 30% was full throttle.

[Kingsford G]

Pre facelift 163bhp with a vacuum actuator engines are the best and very good on fuel.If u find a good one go for it.I`d avoid 185bhp.