My wife wants to buy a 2005 xc90 from a used car dealer here in Seattle. If she does I going to assume the timing belt will need to be changed sooner or later as it's better to err on the side of caution.Compared to 240 what is the difficulty level?
What else will need attention. They say it needs struts because of some clunking sound. I have not driven it. Strut replacement?? Done a few on 240's. Difficulty level?

Thanks for any and all feedback.

Kris

A couple suggestions...drive the vehicle your self first... If possible, locate the previous owner and obtain the maintenance records from them or the dealer where they serviced it at...also, obtain a Carfax... If you don't care about the past maintenance history...take the car to a local Volvo dealer for a pre-buy inspection so you know what you'll be in for going forward...

Serpentine belt...I have a 08 XC90 and the service manual has a timing chain replacement at 120K miles....which I'm just now doing...the serpentine belt is not due until 150K but am replacing it while doing the chain....(cheap insurance)... Also, just as important as the serpentine belt & timing chain....replace the belt tensioner and the chain guides... My understanding from Volvo is that the timing chain service is earlier than the serpentine belt is because the timing chain guides wear faster...not so much the chain.

Clunking sound...possible but not likely struts...when driving it make tight turns in both directions below 30 mph to a stop and note if the clunk sounds is audible...if so more likely the propshaft to that wheel...again a pre-buy should confirm it. Strut replacement on my '88 760 was not easy...I personally would not attempt it on either my '08 XC90 or '13 C70.
Frank