Volvo 850 (855) T5 GLT Estate
Discussion
Ecurie Ecosse said:
Unfortunately the odometer gears stopped working at 199,709 miles yesterday, so whilst I know it has hit the 200k mark, I didn't get the satisfaction of watching the numbers roll round.
Will get that sorted when it's in for its MOT next week, and separate service. Everything crossed.
The odometer is a common 850 age related problem, and I doubt you will get a garage to fix it.Will get that sorted when it's in for its MOT next week, and separate service. Everything crossed.
The odometer has an electric motor with a plastic gear that the teeth break with age. It is a pull the instrument cluster out and crack it open DIY fix. How to's are on the internet, and I ordered the gear for a few quid (I think) from someone in the US.
Ecurie Ecosse said:
Hit 200,000 miles today.
Epic machine.
Original engine, gearbox turbo and clutch, and still pulls "like a train". I keep saying this, but even now, after almost 4 years, every time I drive it I laugh out loud.
Unfortunately the odometer gears stopped working at 199,709 miles yesterday, so whilst I know it has hit the 200k mark, I didn't get the satisfaction of watching the numbers roll round.
Will get that sorted when it's in for its MOT next week, and separate service. Everything crossed.
Fantastic Epic machine.
Original engine, gearbox turbo and clutch, and still pulls "like a train". I keep saying this, but even now, after almost 4 years, every time I drive it I laugh out loud.
Unfortunately the odometer gears stopped working at 199,709 miles yesterday, so whilst I know it has hit the 200k mark, I didn't get the satisfaction of watching the numbers roll round.
Will get that sorted when it's in for its MOT next week, and separate service. Everything crossed.
Good to hear it is still going strong, shame about the odometer stopping, it'd be ace to "see" 200k on it.
Ecurie Ecosse said:
Many thanks Guys.
Sod's law the odometer would stop working after 19 years with less than 300 miles to go. I'll order up the gears from ebay, Smack (£15) and I'll have a bash fitting them.
Cheers Y2blade - really liking your S4 thread. How are you finding it? It's a great looking machine, the B5 is a really timeless design.
Still smitten with the S4, I'm back in her as my daily since the XC90 T6 went to new home just after Christmas.Sod's law the odometer would stop working after 19 years with less than 300 miles to go. I'll order up the gears from ebay, Smack (£15) and I'll have a bash fitting them.
Cheers Y2blade - really liking your S4 thread. How are you finding it? It's a great looking machine, the B5 is a really timeless design.
The intention was to free space to buy a commuter V8 (Lexus LS/GS or something similar)...however I'm enjoying the S4 on a daily basis again (Like you with the T5 it genuinely makes me smile every time I drive it) so it has taken the urgency off the V8 hunt.
tbh I could see myself grabbing another T5 (prob a P1 V70) if I don't get a V8.
Ecurie Ecosse said:
Good stuff.
I would like a B5 S4 or RS4 one day. The interior is a bit small for all the family stuff I need to cart around at the moment, but one day.
I did look at a Lexus LS400 as an emergency purchase after the oil pipe went on the Volvo. It was a nice car, 1997 with 70k miles in that great anti-cool gold colour, but the boot was just too small for our massive pram (which actually cost more than the Volvo
I didn't bother driving the Lexus, due to the boot issue, but the dash put me off a bit. Think I prefer the X300 and X308 Jags for their (subjective) specialness.
Still, my Volvo is in for its MOT next week, and I can't help but glance at the classifieds for a replacement everyday car. A Phase 2 V70 T5 would be nice, more modern, but less raw, than the 850.
And I just can't stop looking at this W220 S500 on eBay, which is close to me. Looks great in the pics, and I expect it would be great to drive. Bet the swine pram won't fit in the boot
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=...
Anyway, enough of these negative thoughts. The Volvo WILL pass.
Oh, and a friend has just ordered one of the new XC90s, the hybrid T8 model. The specs of the engine sound absolutely amazing.
My daughters pram fits perfectly in my W220 S55 AMG! I would like a B5 S4 or RS4 one day. The interior is a bit small for all the family stuff I need to cart around at the moment, but one day.
I did look at a Lexus LS400 as an emergency purchase after the oil pipe went on the Volvo. It was a nice car, 1997 with 70k miles in that great anti-cool gold colour, but the boot was just too small for our massive pram (which actually cost more than the Volvo
I didn't bother driving the Lexus, due to the boot issue, but the dash put me off a bit. Think I prefer the X300 and X308 Jags for their (subjective) specialness.
Still, my Volvo is in for its MOT next week, and I can't help but glance at the classifieds for a replacement everyday car. A Phase 2 V70 T5 would be nice, more modern, but less raw, than the 850.
And I just can't stop looking at this W220 S500 on eBay, which is close to me. Looks great in the pics, and I expect it would be great to drive. Bet the swine pram won't fit in the boot
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=...
Anyway, enough of these negative thoughts. The Volvo WILL pass.
Oh, and a friend has just ordered one of the new XC90s, the hybrid T8 model. The specs of the engine sound absolutely amazing.
Dear all
I've just treated myself to a little 1995 T5 estate with 6 months MOT and 168k on the clock. Seller was an old farmer who used it as a 'work vehicle' (you can tell - I think he actually used it for ploughing) but then he only wanted £425 for it and I paid £350. Downside is that it needs the cambelt doing (20k miles past the due date) and it has THE nosiest power steering pump in the world (looking at £30 for a used one). I've also had to replace three of the four rear lights - £25 (I think he parked it as close to the sun as possible), need the bonnet respraying - £70, got to find an insert for the CD changer (£?), bought new spark plugs (£30) and new oil/filter (£12 for a K+N filter, £40 for Magnatec). Also bought some leather restorer (£15), some 'magic' bumper restorer (typical 850 fade) and it needs a full valet.
Despite all of this necessary/voluntary expenditure, and reading about how rubbish the mpg is, I am so happy to have her! Definitely a little quicker than the 940 TD I used to have and much more reliable (I expect) than the very poorly A6 2.5tdi that I currently have.
I'd like to get some ideas about what I can do to improve performance/economy without having to spend mega-bucks - any thoughts would be appreciated! I was looking at ECU chips on ebay but, having no idea how they work or how to fit them, I am viewing them with much suspicion...
Apologies for the ramble!
Oliver
I've just treated myself to a little 1995 T5 estate with 6 months MOT and 168k on the clock. Seller was an old farmer who used it as a 'work vehicle' (you can tell - I think he actually used it for ploughing) but then he only wanted £425 for it and I paid £350. Downside is that it needs the cambelt doing (20k miles past the due date) and it has THE nosiest power steering pump in the world (looking at £30 for a used one). I've also had to replace three of the four rear lights - £25 (I think he parked it as close to the sun as possible), need the bonnet respraying - £70, got to find an insert for the CD changer (£?), bought new spark plugs (£30) and new oil/filter (£12 for a K+N filter, £40 for Magnatec). Also bought some leather restorer (£15), some 'magic' bumper restorer (typical 850 fade) and it needs a full valet.
Despite all of this necessary/voluntary expenditure, and reading about how rubbish the mpg is, I am so happy to have her! Definitely a little quicker than the 940 TD I used to have and much more reliable (I expect) than the very poorly A6 2.5tdi that I currently have.
I'd like to get some ideas about what I can do to improve performance/economy without having to spend mega-bucks - any thoughts would be appreciated! I was looking at ECU chips on ebay but, having no idea how they work or how to fit them, I am viewing them with much suspicion...
Apologies for the ramble!
Oliver
To be honest... you bought the wrong car if you're concerned about MPG.
As Ecurie has pointed out, anything near 30mpg should be rewarded with a knighthood and a new pair of sheepskin baffies. Mine is an automatic so pretty much does 25mpg unless there's a hill, a headwind or any element of throttle input in which case the needle reacts like somebody has blown holes in the tank.
It did 400 miles on a tank... once. Its a 15 gallon tank so there's 25/26mpg and that was driving with a degree of pussyfootedness. Normally it'll return about 300 miles so there's like... errrr... 20mpg. That said, it did only cost £400.00 and it's made from granite and 18th century technology so tends to just plough on regardless and doesn't cost very much so it swings and roundabouts.
Great cars, great thread too.
As Ecurie has pointed out, anything near 30mpg should be rewarded with a knighthood and a new pair of sheepskin baffies. Mine is an automatic so pretty much does 25mpg unless there's a hill, a headwind or any element of throttle input in which case the needle reacts like somebody has blown holes in the tank.
It did 400 miles on a tank... once. Its a 15 gallon tank so there's 25/26mpg and that was driving with a degree of pussyfootedness. Normally it'll return about 300 miles so there's like... errrr... 20mpg. That said, it did only cost £400.00 and it's made from granite and 18th century technology so tends to just plough on regardless and doesn't cost very much so it swings and roundabouts.
Great cars, great thread too.
OP, been following you and your cars for a while and after wanting an 850 T5 for ages but I've put a deposit down on one today in exactly the same colour as yours! Now to get cleaning and part finding to get it as near to the standard of yours as I can! Oh, mine has done 15k miles extra though 
Do you have any videos of the new exhaust?
Do you have any videos of the new exhaust?
I was going to ask if yours was mapped, but thought I should read through the thread properly first. This has actually been Stage 0'd already, with a Rica 304 and Powerflex top bush. I probably will dump the oil, but the rest are all things I was going to do anyway! It also has a forge dump valve and blanking plate, which I really want to remove but keep the blanking plate as I really like turbo flutter! I think it will be OK..
As for air filters, Ideally I'd like the BSR filer and shield (again for more noise) but I may stick with a K&N panel - I did notice its missing the front part of the air scoop as well so need to find one.
That exhaust is fairly pricey, I will keep an eye out on ebay or possibly get one made up.
As for air filters, Ideally I'd like the BSR filer and shield (again for more noise) but I may stick with a K&N panel - I did notice its missing the front part of the air scoop as well so need to find one.
That exhaust is fairly pricey, I will keep an eye out on ebay or possibly get one made up.
Looks great, I know what you mean about simple fixes and I've also found some rust on my front wings near the bumper mounts.
I've had mine 3 months now but have only driven it home from buying it, I'm fixing a few bits up whilst its in my mates garage before insuring it etc in the next month or so.
I won't litter your thread with pictures, but I got a bit carried away when sorting the front bumper and ended up swapping it for an R one! (pic in my garage)
I've had mine 3 months now but have only driven it home from buying it, I'm fixing a few bits up whilst its in my mates garage before insuring it etc in the next month or so.
I won't litter your thread with pictures, but I got a bit carried away when sorting the front bumper and ended up swapping it for an R one! (pic in my garage)
Great stuff.
I followed your lead and had the alignment on mine adjusted at Kwik Fit... despite being two other places previously, it was "well oot" and is now back within spec, driving much better and I have a rather posh graphic to suggest all is well and it's setup like an F1 car. Or at least one of the transporters.
I keep humming and hawing about a remap and so on but I'm just happy that it continues to plod along.
Missing my 850 though, I'd gladly swap the V70 for something like this.
Cheers!
I followed your lead and had the alignment on mine adjusted at Kwik Fit... despite being two other places previously, it was "well oot" and is now back within spec, driving much better and I have a rather posh graphic to suggest all is well and it's setup like an F1 car. Or at least one of the transporters.
I keep humming and hawing about a remap and so on but I'm just happy that it continues to plod along.
Missing my 850 though, I'd gladly swap the V70 for something like this.
Cheers!
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