RE: Shed Of The Week: Volvo 850 T5

[T4RRR]

VolvoT5 said:

Are the MTE remaps still available for these older cars now?

Yes, Don still is the sole representative for MTE software upgrades in the UK.

405dogvan said:

Yeah - just to re-emphasise, the BTCC Estates were a GENIUS move, we're still talking about them years after the other cars have drifted from memory (Alfa 155, Vauxhall Cavalier or Toyota Carina anyone?)

I certainly started buying T4s and T5s on the back of the racing heritage of Volvo in the BTCC and other series' around the world in the late 90s, and still take both my V40 and S60 for track days for a bit of fun - they're certainly not the quickest cars around a circuit but they're very capable and sure as hell a lot of fun!

[mariscalcus]

Mid 1996. Arnold Clarke, the main Aberdeen Volvo dealer had a Volvo 850 T5R ex demo for sale (Red). I drove it. Lightning fast but sooooo uncomfortable on its rock hard suspension especially on Grampian B roads. He also had a regular 850 T5 AWD ex-demo too. I bought that one. Brilliant car which I drove for 10 years before changing to the new V70 T5 AWD which I still drive as my regular car. Superb GT cars as well as being surprisingly fast and agile for what is a large car. Vastly under-rated!! The only downside is tyre wear with the AWD drive system.

[JVaughan]

I miss my old V70 T5 .. nothing modern offers the performance and comfort and practicality

[ajmcampbell]

Ecurie Ecosse said:

Thanks for the link to my Readers' Rides story in the main piece!

My car is still going strong, on 197k miles now fresh from a run to the Le Mans Classic. It's an absolute hoot to drive, and makes me laugh out loud every time I am in it.

Mine has been breathed on a bit and goes well, and is also ultra reliable, still on its original engine, gearbox, turbo and clutch.

Fantastic cars, fast, well made, really characterful engine and comfortable. It's the best car I have owned, and a really joy. I easily chose to take it to Le Mans instead of my RS6.

Here's a video of the exhaust the previous owner made. It has since been changed for a quieter system, up this was epic fun:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeCwbFtW2g8

What a cool car! And you're on Scotland Street... will keep an eye out for it then as I'm not a million miles away!

[Swedespeed]

My 99 V70 T5 SE Auto

120k

Totally standard, apart from egg crate C70 Grille

28mpg average, have had 36 on a run to York.

Comfy, smooth, quick when needed and the noise!

[aka_kerrly]

Davie said:

aka_kerrly said:

I still find it funny that the 850 is forever remembered as a touring car and THAT picture of one up on 2 wheels yet as far as I recall they never actually won anything. If anything the whole business of TWR bending the rules and stories of roof chops on estates with custom windscreens is more interesting than the car itself.

850 estate was year one and to be fair, probably a bit of a publicity stunt and a learning exercise than a serious attack on the title. It worked because not only are we still talking about them but TWR then gave Rydell an 850 saloon and he went on to knock up a impressive CV of poles and wins.

My point wasn't meant as a criticism, just my opinion that I found some of the controversy surrounding them quite interesting. Didn't other teams object to them as the estate was supposedly more aerodynamic than the saloon but there was nothing in the rules that said you had to run a 4 door saloon/5 door hatchback.

[RDS1972]

This "L MOE" one in the featured shed advert is one of my old cars.
I owned it for a year or so and added a cheap "forum special" ECU which made it boost much harder and really woke it up. Other than that, it was only serviced and treated to the moose stickers before I realised I could nt face the fuel bills brought on by listening to the five cylinders warbling away.
I loved the noise and the comfort, but it was something of an unguided missile. I only paid £650 for it about 3 years ago, so am a little surprised to see it at a grand, but it's a lot of metal and leather for the money, and as mentioned goes bloody well for an old bus. Still get reminiscent when i see the pictures.
I even ran it at a RWYB event in Essex and did a 15.2 quarter mile with truly terrible tyres, god love it!!

[ajmcampbell]

Ecurie Ecosse said:

Thanks for the link to my Readers' Rides story in the main piece!

My car is still going strong, on 197k miles now fresh from a run to the Le Mans Classic. It's an absolute hoot to drive, and makes me laugh out loud every time I am in it.

Mine has been breathed on a bit and goes well, and is also ultra reliable, still on its original engine, gearbox, turbo and clutch.

Fantastic cars, fast, well made, really characterful engine and comfortable. It's the best car I have owned, and a really joy. I easily chose to take it to Le Mans instead of my RS6.

Here's a video of the exhaust the previous owner made. It has since been changed for a quieter system, up this was epic fun:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeCwbFtW2g8

Actually, did I see this yesterday around Quartermile? Reg P11***M

[ajmcampbell]

Ecurie Ecosse said:

Hi, thanks for your comments!

Yes, that was me there. Car is just back from a trip to the Lake District. Still going strong, but not its cleanest at the moment.

Top effort! Great to see one in regular use! Saddens me not to see that many of these around anymore! Dad had a string of them in period, always had considerable Q car appeal. Did a few trips to the Lakes in them too (accompanied by cassette storybooks; who misses those!) Will own one one day, although sad to see there aren't many around! Cheers A

[KMB]

I've just picked up a 1996 850 T5 in green, more expensive than shed money but had just a Volvo specialist service (very good FSH) and stainless exhaust fitted, along with some other goodies...

Reading the article and thinking a little more boost could be amusing on my 136k engine, the following comment jumped out:

"A quick £150 remap is the simplest route to instant gratification"

When I'm in the UK I'm about half way between Ipswich and Colchester, where can I get this done for this money I wonder? Or is it worth playing around with the actuator bolt as mentioned in the article?

The other option is to make it mint condition and original throughout, whilst hoping it serves as a load lugger and fetches some money in years to come.

[850R]

Loving this article. We own a red 850R estate. Mint condition in daily use. 200k such a reliable machine. We have put on a standard looking bespoke complete exhaust system. Poweflex engine mounts, and all I can say is wow!!!makes the in line 5 sound even sexier!!!!

[ilovevolvo]

Not what I would call a shed but my much loved yellow T5R up for sale :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOLVO-850-T5-R-YELLOW-SA...

Russ

[KMB]

Nice sales pitch, T5-R will only go up in value these days, absolute classic!