My Volvo 850R - Work in progress!
Discussion
Right, after being a long time lurker I've finally decided to start a thread on my Volvo.( I'd go and put the kettle on at this point! )
I've dreamt of owning one of these since I was about 15 (weird, I know), but I blame my dad as he owned an 850 t5 estate for 12 years so that's where I got the volvo bug from.
Fast foward a few years to 2017, I'm 20 with 3 years ncb so can JUST about afford the insurance on an 850R. The next problem was finding one though. I'd been keeping a close eye on the market for 850 t5/rs and had noticed that 'cheap' ones didn't really exist anymore, especially in manual form (which was a must for me). After searching tirelessly, one finally came up in the spec I was looking for and crucially, just about within budget (when said budget was stretched way beyond my actual budget). Spec as follows
1996 850R estate, Grey, Factory manual (M59 with viscous coupling diff), black leather/alcantara interior and 'only' 167k miles. It looked tidy enough in the pictures, albeit with a saggy rear bumper, missing headlight wipers and a very badly stone-chipped front end. The only problem I could see was that the car was in deal, Kent, and I was in the east midlands.
I should explain at this point, my daily run about was my 1982 classic mini and the thought of driving that for 3-4 hours on the motorway down to Kent was not an appealing one. Its okay though, I can just get the train I thought! That was until I checked ticket prices and realised that would cost £190 and involve several changes. Hmmm time for a plan c.
In the end, my dad reluctantly took me down to collect the car one sunny evening at the end of May. We arrived, the car was as described part from a flat tyre (it had been sitting for 8 months). So the deal was done, I drove it the 200 odd miles home (of course inflating the flat tyre and putting some fuel in it).
Photo is from the advert BTW. The things that I noticed on the long drive home were: steering pulling to the left (still an ongoing problem), horrendous rattle from the tailgate (plastic trim already removed), severe wheel wobble at 65+ ( later found out to be severely buckled wheels!), Cruise control not working ( still the case), A.C not working (to be expected on one of these), dragging brakes (also to be expected given how long it had sat for) and a handbrake that wouldn't hold if you were facing uphill and some buggered engine mounts. Now. All of these were issues to add to the list that the seller had already made! Screenshot of sale ad for list of said issues
So, as you can imagine, plenty of work to keep me busy. First things I did were to fit some headlight wipers (there were no blades fitted, so every time you operated the washers, the wipers arms just scratched the headlights!), then I fitted a polyurethane top engine torque mount ( which made surprisingly little difference). I also ordered a tailgate trim repair kit so I could refit it, which I did but it still rattled terribly, so removed it again!
I'll pause at this point, as I'm sure if you've got this far, you'll be fed up of hearing me waffle on! So have some pics of the car from the for sale advert.
Note the halfords spec gearknob and head unit!
Thread to be continued......
I've dreamt of owning one of these since I was about 15 (weird, I know), but I blame my dad as he owned an 850 t5 estate for 12 years so that's where I got the volvo bug from.
Fast foward a few years to 2017, I'm 20 with 3 years ncb so can JUST about afford the insurance on an 850R. The next problem was finding one though. I'd been keeping a close eye on the market for 850 t5/rs and had noticed that 'cheap' ones didn't really exist anymore, especially in manual form (which was a must for me). After searching tirelessly, one finally came up in the spec I was looking for and crucially, just about within budget (when said budget was stretched way beyond my actual budget). Spec as follows
1996 850R estate, Grey, Factory manual (M59 with viscous coupling diff), black leather/alcantara interior and 'only' 167k miles. It looked tidy enough in the pictures, albeit with a saggy rear bumper, missing headlight wipers and a very badly stone-chipped front end. The only problem I could see was that the car was in deal, Kent, and I was in the east midlands.
I should explain at this point, my daily run about was my 1982 classic mini and the thought of driving that for 3-4 hours on the motorway down to Kent was not an appealing one. Its okay though, I can just get the train I thought! That was until I checked ticket prices and realised that would cost £190 and involve several changes. Hmmm time for a plan c.
In the end, my dad reluctantly took me down to collect the car one sunny evening at the end of May. We arrived, the car was as described part from a flat tyre (it had been sitting for 8 months). So the deal was done, I drove it the 200 odd miles home (of course inflating the flat tyre and putting some fuel in it).
Photo is from the advert BTW. The things that I noticed on the long drive home were: steering pulling to the left (still an ongoing problem), horrendous rattle from the tailgate (plastic trim already removed), severe wheel wobble at 65+ ( later found out to be severely buckled wheels!), Cruise control not working ( still the case), A.C not working (to be expected on one of these), dragging brakes (also to be expected given how long it had sat for) and a handbrake that wouldn't hold if you were facing uphill and some buggered engine mounts. Now. All of these were issues to add to the list that the seller had already made! Screenshot of sale ad for list of said issues
So, as you can imagine, plenty of work to keep me busy. First things I did were to fit some headlight wipers (there were no blades fitted, so every time you operated the washers, the wipers arms just scratched the headlights!), then I fitted a polyurethane top engine torque mount ( which made surprisingly little difference). I also ordered a tailgate trim repair kit so I could refit it, which I did but it still rattled terribly, so removed it again!
I'll pause at this point, as I'm sure if you've got this far, you'll be fed up of hearing me waffle on! So have some pics of the car from the for sale advert.
Note the halfords spec gearknob and head unit!
Thread to be continued......
Snazzyjake said:
I should explain at this point the thread progress is at June 2017 so far, I will update to current status over the coming days (there's a lot to type out!)
Excellent, keep it coming then. Great car. I'm trying to convince my wife tht these are good idea for family transport, but have not yet succeeded. 
Hi snazzyjake, the tailgate rattle is just as likely to be down to the boot latch itself as it is a rattly rear panel. About halfway through the P80 V70s life Volvo changed the design slightly and it cures the rattle. But more info here:
https://forums.swedespeed.com/showthread.php?10071...
Regarding the bumper sagging, I presume you've fixed that already but if not it's simply a case of replacing the rear bumper brackets for £30 (dealer price) as they rust through. Depending on how bad the rust was you may need new bolts too which will cost another £25 or so.
Top motor mounts don't do a lot by themselves unless you replace the tranny mount with poly bushing too. The only real change otherwise is increasing gearstick rattle under load.
https://forums.swedespeed.com/showthread.php?10071...
Regarding the bumper sagging, I presume you've fixed that already but if not it's simply a case of replacing the rear bumper brackets for £30 (dealer price) as they rust through. Depending on how bad the rust was you may need new bolts too which will cost another £25 or so.
Top motor mounts don't do a lot by themselves unless you replace the tranny mount with poly bushing too. The only real change otherwise is increasing gearstick rattle under load.
Thanks for the kind comments chaps, although they'll be no BTCC wraps going on here! Plan is (once this thread is up to date) to do a few subtle modifications and keep plugging away at the various age related niggles.
Right, where was I. Ah yes June 2017. Took an obligatory photo at work the day after buying it
First job I did was tackle the rear bumper brackets. Surprise surprise, it ended in me having to drill out the rusty old bolts to get the brackets off. Although, given the condition of them I wasn't too surprised!
Old vs new
Shiny new Volvo parts
. Bumper fit was much improved after replacing the brackets, although I didnt take any photos afterwards so apologies for that.
About 2 weeks later I was driving along, hit a small pothole and suddenly that dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree! Hmmm, I knew that the previous owner had removed the instrument binnacle/ dash top to replace the odometer gear so I thought perhaps a plug has come undone or something similar. So I spent that afternoon removing the dash top so I could inspect the instrument binnacle. I got it out but everything was as it should be (bar a few warning light bulbs removed!). Slightly puzzled, I put it all back together again and then started the car up and voila! All the lights went out as they should. Great! Problem solved I thought......
The next morning, I got in to drive to work, got 1 mile down the road and then the dash lit up again. Hmmm, this is something more serious then. Anyway, made it to work and then decided to check the alternator given that the battery light was one of the lights illuminated. Engine running, only producing 10.5v. That'll be the problem then!
A quick Google revealed a new Bosch OEM alternator was nearly £500! So, I then managed to source a regulator/brush pack for £30 - much more like it! Removing the alternator was a bit of a pain in the arse but got there in the end (again, no pics - sorry!). The brushes were properly knackered so I was pleased that this was the problem. Alternator refitted, started up and no lights on dash anymore, happy days!
After this, the Volvo behaved itself for a while. Seemed to have an incredible thirst for petrol and oil though. So I treated it to a wash, cleaned up pretty well for a 21 year old motor I thought!
Also found out the source of the wheel wobble...
Right, where was I. Ah yes June 2017. Took an obligatory photo at work the day after buying it
First job I did was tackle the rear bumper brackets. Surprise surprise, it ended in me having to drill out the rusty old bolts to get the brackets off. Although, given the condition of them I wasn't too surprised!
Old vs new
Shiny new Volvo parts
. Bumper fit was much improved after replacing the brackets, although I didnt take any photos afterwards so apologies for that. About 2 weeks later I was driving along, hit a small pothole and suddenly that dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree! Hmmm, I knew that the previous owner had removed the instrument binnacle/ dash top to replace the odometer gear so I thought perhaps a plug has come undone or something similar. So I spent that afternoon removing the dash top so I could inspect the instrument binnacle. I got it out but everything was as it should be (bar a few warning light bulbs removed!). Slightly puzzled, I put it all back together again and then started the car up and voila! All the lights went out as they should. Great! Problem solved I thought......
The next morning, I got in to drive to work, got 1 mile down the road and then the dash lit up again. Hmmm, this is something more serious then. Anyway, made it to work and then decided to check the alternator given that the battery light was one of the lights illuminated. Engine running, only producing 10.5v. That'll be the problem then!
A quick Google revealed a new Bosch OEM alternator was nearly £500! So, I then managed to source a regulator/brush pack for £30 - much more like it! Removing the alternator was a bit of a pain in the arse but got there in the end (again, no pics - sorry!). The brushes were properly knackered so I was pleased that this was the problem. Alternator refitted, started up and no lights on dash anymore, happy days!
After this, the Volvo behaved itself for a while. Seemed to have an incredible thirst for petrol and oil though. So I treated it to a wash, cleaned up pretty well for a 21 year old motor I thought!
Also found out the source of the wheel wobble...
Good to see another Volvo 850 thread on here. I owned a grey 850R estate N reg but with the horrible light colour interior. Owned it from 2004-2006 and then bought a 2003 V70 R manual from Volvo main dealer. Ran that from 15,000 miles upto 80 odd thousand with no issues and then bought a year old V70 D5 R design in passion red. So you see I like my Volvo’s! Moved away from Volvo a couple of years ago but always on the look out for a tidy manual 854 R or T5r to tinker with but they never come up for sale anymore.
Can’t beat the old 5 pot sound.
BTW I live about 30 mins from Deal!
Can’t beat the old 5 pot sound.
BTW I live about 30 mins from Deal!
cosworth330 said:
Good to see another Volvo 850 thread on here. I owned a grey 850R estate N reg but with the horrible light colour interior. Owned it from 2004-2006 and then bought a 2003 V70 R manual from Volvo main dealer. Ran that from 15,000 miles upto 80 odd thousand with no issues and then bought a year old V70 D5 R design in passion red. So you see I like my Volvo’s! Moved away from Volvo a couple of years ago but always on the look out for a tidy manual 854 R or T5r to tinker with but they never come up for sale anymore.
Can’t beat the old 5 pot sound.
BTW I live about 30 mins from Deal!
Blimey, that's some mileage in an R with no issues. I did look at them but the horror stories of 2k repair bills for stuff did put me off. Still really like the look of them though, does not look like a 15 year old car IMO. Can’t beat the old 5 pot sound.
BTW I live about 30 mins from Deal!
How did it compare to the 850R to drive?
I know what you mean about the 5 pot noise. Its soooo addictive!
Cookeh said:
Hi snazzyjake, the tailgate rattle is just as likely to be down to the boot latch itself as it is a rattly rear panel. About halfway through the P80 V70s life Volvo changed the design slightly and it cures the rattle. But more info here:
https://forums.swedespeed.com/showthread.php?10071...
Regarding the bumper sagging, I presume you've fixed that already but if not it's simply a case of replacing the rear bumper brackets for £30 (dealer price) as they rust through. Depending on how bad the rust was you may need new bolts too which will cost another £25 or so.
Top motor mounts don't do a lot by themselves unless you replace the tranny mount with poly bushing too. The only real change otherwise is increasing gearstick rattle under load.
Thanks for all the tips mate, I did replace the tailgate latch, lockbrace/striker plate and rubber buffers which improved things massively (although there are still a few rattles) . I also replaced the gearbox mount with a poly one but that made minimal difference also, but did increase cabin vibrations quite a bit. After replacing the o/s engine Mount (this one) https://forums.swedespeed.com/showthread.php?10071...
Regarding the bumper sagging, I presume you've fixed that already but if not it's simply a case of replacing the rear bumper brackets for £30 (dealer price) as they rust through. Depending on how bad the rust was you may need new bolts too which will cost another £25 or so.
Top motor mounts don't do a lot by themselves unless you replace the tranny mount with poly bushing too. The only real change otherwise is increasing gearstick rattle under load.
things were better, the picture doesn't show how bad the mount was, it had completely collapsed! Right, July 2017. Continued using the Volvo everyday, no real issues apart from the stated issues (steering, wheel wobble, a.c broken etc). Nothing really much to report for a few weeks.
Took it to the WRC in October and slept in it (was pretty comfortable tbf!)
. Only got stuck in the mud once too! Didn't get any photos of it in wales but took one back at work on monday 
Again, continued driving around for few weeks with no issues. Then it snowed in December, discovered the Volvo was pretty hopeless (worn budget tyres probably didn't help
) 
Replaced the heater matrix, coolant expansion bottle and all coolant hoses in January too as they were starting to look a bit past their best. More preventative than anything else. Definitely a job I would rather not do too many times, especially the bottom water hose onto the turbo!
(No pics, so apologies for that)
Again, nothing to report for a bit but then in February 18 I managed to buy a set of these...
I bought them from a certain Tim Williams who is THE Volvo man in the UK to those in the know. When I bought the wheels, we were chatting for ages and I said how I'd like to get my car remapped eventually and a few other bits. Long story short, a few days later the Volvo got a 4.4 ecu and a custom map plus a new tcv valve. Wow. The difference was just incredible, it was literally like driving a different car and thanks to the 4.4 ecu, it was more economical too!
Took it to the WRC in October and slept in it (was pretty comfortable tbf!)
. Only got stuck in the mud once too! Didn't get any photos of it in wales but took one back at work on monday Again, continued driving around for few weeks with no issues. Then it snowed in December, discovered the Volvo was pretty hopeless (worn budget tyres probably didn't help
) Replaced the heater matrix, coolant expansion bottle and all coolant hoses in January too as they were starting to look a bit past their best. More preventative than anything else. Definitely a job I would rather not do too many times, especially the bottom water hose onto the turbo!
(No pics, so apologies for that)Again, nothing to report for a bit but then in February 18 I managed to buy a set of these...
I bought them from a certain Tim Williams who is THE Volvo man in the UK to those in the know. When I bought the wheels, we were chatting for ages and I said how I'd like to get my car remapped eventually and a few other bits. Long story short, a few days later the Volvo got a 4.4 ecu and a custom map plus a new tcv valve. Wow. The difference was just incredible, it was literally like driving a different car and thanks to the 4.4 ecu, it was more economical too!
I really want to pop a Motronic 4.4 in my T5, and the improved fuel consumption would help... So would the ability to read engine codes without a hacked led 
Highly recommended I assume? Don't suppose you could give an estimate on price + map? I'd probably just go for the ECU itself for now, with an annual mileage of 15-16K and it being my only car I cant afford for anything to go wrong (or for even worse fuel economy).
How did you sort the o/s motor mount? Mine is OK for now but I'm sure it will go in the future... Looks like the only accessible jack point for the engine is the sump, which is notoriously thin. Did a simple block of wood solve it?
Highly recommended I assume? Don't suppose you could give an estimate on price + map? I'd probably just go for the ECU itself for now, with an annual mileage of 15-16K and it being my only car I cant afford for anything to go wrong (or for even worse fuel economy).How did you sort the o/s motor mount? Mine is OK for now but I'm sure it will go in the future... Looks like the only accessible jack point for the engine is the sump, which is notoriously thin. Did a simple block of wood solve it?
Cookeh said:
I really want to pop a Motronic 4.4 in my T5, and the improved fuel consumption would help... So would the ability to read engine codes without a hacked led Highly recommended I assume? Don't suppose you could give an estimate on price + map? I'd probably just go for the ECU itself for now, with an annual mileage of 15-16K and it being my only car I cant afford for anything to go wrong (or for even worse fuel economy).
How did you sort the o/s motor mount? Mine is OK for now but I'm sure it will go in the future... Looks like the only accessible jack point for the engine is the sump, which is notoriously thin. Did a simple block of wood solve it?
100% recommended, honestly the best thing I've done to the car, makes it so much more responsive than before. You also loose the annoying 'rev hang' between gear changes which is another plus. It cost me £360 all in but £60 of that was a new tcv so its reasonable value tbf. Highly recommended I assume? Don't suppose you could give an estimate on price + map? I'd probably just go for the ECU itself for now, with an annual mileage of 15-16K and it being my only car I cant afford for anything to go wrong (or for even worse fuel economy).How did you sort the o/s motor mount? Mine is OK for now but I'm sure it will go in the future... Looks like the only accessible jack point for the engine is the sump, which is notoriously thin. Did a simple block of wood solve it?
With regards to the engine mount, its as you describe - just a nice solid block of wood and a trolley jack under the sump and jack away! Just make sure you get the correct engine mount, they changed the design on later models (95 on I believe)
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