Volvo 850/v70 T5

[GLPoomobile 958]

I know there's a few people on here who have either got or have owned 850/V70 T5 or R models.

 

I'm toying with the idea of getting one, although it's most likely to be a T5 than an R, since I'm not looking to spend much (sub £1k ideally ) and decent Rs are going for more like £3k at the moment.

 

Any advice on what to look for in particular with these things would be much appreciated I'm not too fussed about cosmetic appearance, more so the mechanical reliability (which one would assume to be fairly bullet proof).

[backroadpug 12]

go for the 2.3 and not the 2.5. and try get a manual We have one that comes into our work that has over 270k had its mot last week only had few advises. and it still goes like stink. if you think about the engine its the same used in the new rs focus just with a few little changes and the 5 cyl noise is pant wetting.lol

[RHULPUG 0]

On the one I owned a few years ago (850 Turbo - same as the T5 but 1 year before release) the main things to consider were the crank oil seal, turbo oil seals, rocker cover gasket, engine mounts and also the front brakes aren't up to much if you are really making progress so likely to be warped. Overall a very good car. The engines sound a bit tappety at higher mileage but this didn't result in any issues for me. Fuel wise they won't do much more than high 20's on a run, don't believe the adverts claiming nearly 40mpg...unless you plan to cruise at 50mph.

[kyunis 0]

i had the v70 2.5 td, audi engine 5cyl. I now have an audi a6 avant 2.5 v6, but preferred the drive and comfort of the volvo. I had over 300k on my v70, and not many problems.

[Baz 421]

The 2.5's are fine.

[GLPoomobile 958]

On the one hand I would prefer a manual. I've never driven an automatic in my life. On the other hand an automatic does sort of appeal to me as I'm partly attracted to the lazy comfort element of owning such a car. Plus the manuals are less prevelant.

 

Brakes I'm not too fussed about. I don't really tend to use them much

 

Fuel consumption is as I expected.

 

It has to be a petrol 20v Turbo by the way. Nothing else will do. I toyed with getting a Fiat Coupe 20VT before getting my current 205. IMO the Fiat still sounds little better than the Volvo 20v turbos I've heard, but the Volvo will be nice compromise of that sound but with more practicality and comfort, and better reliability and build quality.

 

I'd be quite happy with anything sub £1k with a long MOT, that goes as it should, and maybe flog it on without losing too much money further down the line. I think that will be entirely possible from seeing what's for sale at the moment. Would still love a mint 850R though

[Baz 421]

They really are great cars, i love them.

 

Would you consider an AWD? If you can find a decent one, 2.5 20v low pressure turbo, around 200bhp with 4wd.

 

T5's are tyre shredders, apart from the few things Rhulpug mentioned, there isn't really alot of things, rear suspension top mounts need replacing every now and then, but certainly not often, they're not mega money to maintain or run, economy isn't amazing as mentioned but they're not that bad, certainly comparible to a 205! Pretty you'll see low 30's on a run.(off boost!)

 

One of my dad's is on about 230k, original engine, turbo, running gear etc and there's plenty with more than that!

[GLPoomobile 958]

Only thing that puts me off AWD is the additonal expense if any of it goes wrong.

 

Is the AWD system pretty robust? Should it be a concern?

[MrG 3]

I run an 850R at the moment. It's a saloon and is very capable, juicy though as I always seem to be putting petrol in!!

 

Mines an auto, red of course. But mine cost me just under a grand and so far although the paint is starting to dull (needs a good going over) to me it still looks good. Estate is the one to get and personally it has a little bit more than the T5r and more than the T5.

 

Manual R's have about 10 to 15bhp more than auto's and they also have the special locking diff fitted. Dark wheels means it has a dark interior, light interior, light coloured wheels!

 

Now I might be on the cusp of selling on as really I need an estate, however the bikes fit in this as the rear seals fold so its a hard decision at present.

[Baz 421]

Very robust despite lots of internet hearsay, there's 2 different types dependant on age, basically post '98 is Haldex kit, very widely used across lots of manufacturers and generally very good. Anything before is said to be a bit more fragile, and as picky as needing the same (or at least size) tyres and tread depth across both axles, but in reality i really don't think they're that bad.

 

We've had 2 of them, '97 and '98 cars and they've taken a beating, run on tyres with differing amounts of tread, 2 sprint championships in one, and they've both seen their fair share of fields and farm tracks when running & marshalling at motorsport events etc! Never an issue!

 

There was a callback in about '00 for the rear trailing arms as some developed hairline cracks, but these should've been all recalled and replaced with a revised version.

 

The only thing that is slightly more expensive with the AWD's is the self-levelling Nivomat suspension units, they can start to sag and fail after time, but i'd expect most to have been done by now, £400 each or so isn't to be sniffed at though! -Although they can be had cheaper if you know where to go!

[GLPoomobile 958]

The saloons really don't do it for me, for some reason. Plus, from a practical point of view I'd rather have the estate. Will come in very handy for moving back to Scotland, if I get one before that. It is quite annoying though as I do keep seeing a lot of really good saloon examples, and there seems to be more saloon R versions around at the moment.

[RHULPUG 0]

Estates do command a premium, but for a budget of 1k you'll be fine. I purchased mine for £460 (1994 "854" saloon - manual, 140k FSH T&T) and aside from a CV boot it didn't need anything other than Oil and lots and lots of trips to BP. They do drink a bit of oil, so need to keep on top of levels.

 

As you've probably already gathered if you've done some reading on fccuk, you'll need over 1k/annum alone just to keep a Fiat Coupe 20v turbo running in the first year, so wise decision not going down that route.

Edited July 5, 2010 by RHULPUG

[GLPoomobile 958]

I dunno, I was thinking the other day that if I'd bought a coupe instead of my Mi I may not have had half the trouble I've had OK, I got unlucky, I paid way over the odds for my Mi because I was stupid and impatient, and I've been left with the worst 205 I've had and spent a fortune on something that has hardly been used. It was this sort of expensive hassle that put me off the Coupe in the end - how ironic Expensive lesson learned the hard way, hence why I want to try and pick up a cheap T5 instead of a more expensive R, so that I can just drive the bugger and ditch it if it goes wrong. And if it all goes tits up at least I should make a bit back in scrap what with the weight of these things!

[MrG 3]

I agree, the estate is the way to go. A good T5 would do fine though. And it does look good with the correct kit on it.

 

such as this one.

[RHULPUG 0]

Forgot to mention, do a google search on "Rica". The remaps offer between 280 --> 300+ BHP depending on which octane petrol you use and cost around £400. The torque increase is very impressive.

[MrG 3]

mine has the 280 conversion apparently and it pulls very well, certainly takes many by surprise.

 

but one thing to look for on any of the R's is the brakes are rubbish in reality, good when poodling or moving on quite quickly but you can feel they need a bit more, so that may be next thing on my list if it stays here.

[Hilgie 16 2 Cars]

I have a V70R AWD manualtrans and very happy with it.

 

 

Engine wise these cars are bulletproof, they are known to be able to get to 300k miles without problems.

 

Things to watch out for:

- get the 2.3 or 2.4 and not the 2.5 (thinner cylinders walls)

- aircon vaporator is prone to breaking...the dash will need to come out to replace it (been there)

- transferbox on AWD is a weak point (been there)

- when getting an AWD be aware that the same brand and size tires are all around and have even wear (eg swapped front to rear at each service interval)

- propshaft bearing on AWD needs replacement after 10 years

- MAP sensor is known to be a defective item on these models

- brakes are rubbish for the power available...I am replacing mine with some Porsche Big Reds