I have a proplem ??( volvo )
I have a proplem ??( volvo )
Author
Discussion

Ford 2

Original Poster:

86 posts

180 months

Friday 18th February 2011
quotequote all
I have always liked Volvos. The like's of say a 850 or a 740. Well pretty much any for of T5's been fair. love the sleeper look of them. I always fall short of buying one for stupid reasons ( image, mechanical fear ) But after watching a few 5cyl machines on youtube and seeing how cheap I can get one for I cant really resist. So Its a toss up between another Bmw or a Volvo. Prefer a manual been honest really

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1864515

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2454297.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2355191.htm

The above is just an example. I'd like a saloon 850 t5. Or an r if I was lucky. What are these like to live with ? How reliable are they ? Easy to extract more power ? I have lived with an impreza and that was an animal on petrol.

So the question is, If i say spend 2-2.5k in euro, Would I get a good one ? or will I look at spending more. I could come to the uk. But vrt and all that, All I want is a sleeper been fair so no larey colours etc
Or should I just buy a cheap one, Run it and wreck it and get it out of my system ?

Thanks lad's

Edited by Ford 2 on Friday 18th February 10:16

kpb

305 posts

191 months

Friday 18th February 2011
quotequote all
Very easy to extract more power. The 2.3T will take approx 290bhp from a RICA/MTE/HLM or BSR etc remap or ECU swap (more likely on a 850). Handling isnt the sharpest and expect a few minor jobs around suspension bushes etc, but straight line speed and grip on the 'R's is superb. Probably best to get one already remapped I'd suggest given your budget. Many (if not most) will already be tuned.

Generally reliable - they do mega mileages and HGF etc are very rare. Most 'R' models will be autos and only return about 28mpg on a run.

SGirl

7,922 posts

277 months

Friday 18th February 2011
quotequote all
Ford 2 said:
The above is just an example. I'd like a saloon 850 t5. Or an r if I was lucky. What are these like to live with ? How reliable are they ? Easy to extract more power ?
I've got an estate 850 T5 which I've had for 10 years (and about 102000 miles) this year. I'm just considering chopping it in because I fancy a change, but I was just thinking this morning that it's never yet let me down. I had to replace the alternator a few months ago, and it's had various bits and pieces done over the years but apart from the dying alternator it's never refused to start or broken down at the roadside in all that time. So I suppose you could call it reliable!

They go through front tyres at a fairly quick rate, and we seem to have new front gaiters more often than any of my other cars ever did, but other than that they're pretty reasonable to run. And you can chip them, so if you want more power that would do for starters. wink

My only problem with it now is that I really would like something different, but I almost can't bear to part with it because it's been such a good car right from the day I bought it and it still has no major issues. And I can't decide what I'd want to replace it with!

Jag-D

19,633 posts

235 months

Friday 18th February 2011
quotequote all
Just make sure you keep an eye on the oil levels, they like to use a bit and will break quite severely if you dont top it up!

Check for leaks on the turbo pipework, it's a simple fix, but can be worrying at first.

Personally I love the T5, T5R and 850R, but would have to have a wagon!

Fuel wise they're not that good. Expect an average of around 22mpg which can soon go down if you're driving in diving boots.

Front tyres will be destroyed in no time too

Check the MAF sensor as when they're playing up they can make the T5 varients feel incredibly underpowered!

v8will

3,308 posts

212 months

Friday 18th February 2011
quotequote all
Ford 2 said:
I have always liked Volvos. The like's of say a 850 or a 740. Well pretty much any for of T5's been fair. love the sleeper look of them. I always fall short of buying one for stupid reasons ( image, mechanical fear ) But after watching a few 5cyl machines on youtube and seeing how cheap I can get one for I cant really resist. So Its a toss up between another Bmw or a Volvo. Prefer a manual been honest really

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1864515

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2454297.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2355191.htm

The above is just an example. I'd like a saloon 850 t5. Or an r if I was lucky. What are these like to live with ? How reliable are they ? Easy to extract more power ? I have lived with an impreza and that was an animal on petrol.

So the question is, If i say spend 2-2.5k in euro, Would I get a good one ? or will I look at spending more. I could come to the uk. But vrt and all that, All I want is a sleeper been fair so no larey colours etc
Or should I just buy a cheap one, Run it and wreck it and get it out of my system ?

Thanks lad's

Edited by Ford 2 on Friday 18th February 10:16
They are an animal on fuel. Anyone that claims 28MPG hasn't actually calculated their fuel costs. Both of mine never managed more than 25MPG on a long run, 20-22 MPG was more realistic.

Reliability is good but by now most will need most of the suspension over hauled (front and rear top mounts, rear delta links, lower control arms) Genuine front ball joints are over 100 quid a pop and spurious ones not much less.

smoke chuffing from the dipstick indicates a blocked crank breather and that will more than likely result in rear main seal failure - a clutch out job to replace.

Boost leaks are common but easily sorted, mapped cars get driven very hard and other areas of the car can suffer. Tyre wear is atrocious. I usually got 5000 mile from quality rubber and everything was set up 100%. Standard brakes are crap and ABS failure is common.

It's not all bad though. Although the cars are old they are still quite brisk even with a few miles on the clock. Comfort is superb and that engine sounds very good. T5-R and R models are very well equipped and good ones command a bit of a premium now

Highly recommended, if you can stand the fuel costs!

djt100

1,739 posts

201 months

Friday 18th February 2011
quotequote all
Loved my C70 T5 GT, get one with the Dolby Stereo in, amazing system. Performance was very good and shocked a lot of people who tink volvo = slow.

Friend of mone has a Ginger T5R wagon and that's even quicker still.

Would agree with the fuel , but hey you'll enjoy it smile

Steve_F

865 posts

210 months

Friday 18th February 2011
quotequote all
I've got a T5R wagon and agree with everything said.

21mpg usual average,
responds very well to remap and panel filter,
quick bit of kit in a straight line,
serious sleeper, dare I say quite a good looking car too....
don't worry about high mileage if it's been serviced well, most will be found with a full history folder.

There's been a few times I've gone to overtake, seen the panic in the other person's eyes (mirror) that I'm going for that gap then seen the surprise when I pull in with plenty of time to spare.

Mine's not a daily and I think it's suffering a lot from that. Would've been alright if it had been garaged but it isn't so spending a bit of money on it and will probably have to sell it :-(


Dr Imran T

2,301 posts

215 months

Friday 18th February 2011
quotequote all
I have recently acquired a C70 T5 which I believe shares the same 2.3 5 cylinder engine as the 850/V70. Supposed to be a great engine from what I gather.

That said, my power steering is not working though - does anyone know if that is an easy fix? are there any other engine gremlins that I need to know of?