Volvo 850 T-5R Gul manual saloon.
Discussion
Bought a Gul T-5R saloon manual transmission 2 weeks ago.
Wasn't really looking for one TBH and was set to buy a Renault Megane R26 modded track car. Test drove one of those a few days before with intention of buying it but deep down I knew I'd never be happy with a Renault as they just aren't my thing even though they make superb track cars.
Anyway this T-5R popped up on the net and I went and looked at it and did a deal there and then as these don't hang about in manual at the right price.
The reason for buying another toy was that I was getting itchy feet with my BMW F80 M3 after owning for a couple of years and thinking of modding it but didn't want the agro of warranty issues if something went wrong plus it was plenty fast enough standard anyway. All i do is drive it and wash it so need something to play with!
Back on track, got the Volvo home and their is plenty to do that's for sure. It actually drives very well for a 24yr old car and body and engine are really good. Its going to need some bushes, suspension, steering work as i want it driving as tight as possible.
Sorted out a few interior rattles so far, broken glove box lid mounts fixed and instrument cluster mounts were broken where someone has had the cluster out to repair the odometer. Yes the odometer actually works!!!
It had rubbish Autogrip 225/45/17 tyres on the back with cheapo sapcers as tyres were the wrong size and fronts were 4 year old Avons in 215/45/17.
One bent wheel as well, all this causing vibration issues. As titans are almost impossible to source i had to get the wheel straightened. Had x4 new tyres fitted in the factory size 205/45/17. Drives much better now with just slight vibration.
As luck would have it I managed to source a set of 4 spare Titans a few days after, pick them up at the end of the month. Planning on getting them painted the same colour as ones on the car and may go 215/40/17 on the spare set.
Boot rams were shot so fitted uprated ones due to weight of rear spoiler.
Carried out oil and filter change.
I also gave it a full machine polish as the paint was a little flat, came up very well.
Took it on the rolling road last week and it did 282bhp, I don't have any receipts for any go faster work but its been to Shemtek at some point. All I can see is a large intercooler.
Picked up a SNABB short shift, not fitted yet.
Plenty of other stuff to do, it will keep me busy for ages! The backrest on drivers seat packed up today so another job to do!
Taking it down to my mates garage tomorrow evening so we can have a good look over the underneath and order up some bits and start the suspension/steering re fresh.
These T-5R's are seriously good fun and I'm loving the retro thing getting out and about to meets. The M3 has been sat in my garage since I picked the T-5R up!
Wasn't really looking for one TBH and was set to buy a Renault Megane R26 modded track car. Test drove one of those a few days before with intention of buying it but deep down I knew I'd never be happy with a Renault as they just aren't my thing even though they make superb track cars.
Anyway this T-5R popped up on the net and I went and looked at it and did a deal there and then as these don't hang about in manual at the right price.
The reason for buying another toy was that I was getting itchy feet with my BMW F80 M3 after owning for a couple of years and thinking of modding it but didn't want the agro of warranty issues if something went wrong plus it was plenty fast enough standard anyway. All i do is drive it and wash it so need something to play with!
Back on track, got the Volvo home and their is plenty to do that's for sure. It actually drives very well for a 24yr old car and body and engine are really good. Its going to need some bushes, suspension, steering work as i want it driving as tight as possible.
Sorted out a few interior rattles so far, broken glove box lid mounts fixed and instrument cluster mounts were broken where someone has had the cluster out to repair the odometer. Yes the odometer actually works!!!
It had rubbish Autogrip 225/45/17 tyres on the back with cheapo sapcers as tyres were the wrong size and fronts were 4 year old Avons in 215/45/17.
One bent wheel as well, all this causing vibration issues. As titans are almost impossible to source i had to get the wheel straightened. Had x4 new tyres fitted in the factory size 205/45/17. Drives much better now with just slight vibration.
As luck would have it I managed to source a set of 4 spare Titans a few days after, pick them up at the end of the month. Planning on getting them painted the same colour as ones on the car and may go 215/40/17 on the spare set.
Boot rams were shot so fitted uprated ones due to weight of rear spoiler.
Carried out oil and filter change.
I also gave it a full machine polish as the paint was a little flat, came up very well.
Took it on the rolling road last week and it did 282bhp, I don't have any receipts for any go faster work but its been to Shemtek at some point. All I can see is a large intercooler.
Picked up a SNABB short shift, not fitted yet.
Plenty of other stuff to do, it will keep me busy for ages! The backrest on drivers seat packed up today so another job to do!
Taking it down to my mates garage tomorrow evening so we can have a good look over the underneath and order up some bits and start the suspension/steering re fresh.
These T-5R's are seriously good fun and I'm loving the retro thing getting out and about to meets. The M3 has been sat in my garage since I picked the T-5R up!
Edited by cosworth330 on Wednesday 17th April 17:14
Wow, stunning! Assuming you got it from a private seller given the condition etc? Is it a UK Car?
I had a T5 Estate for a few months and should never have sold it, was a Manual on 225k and it was 'OK' but needed a few bits as ever.
Will keep an eye on this and see what you do next (apart from driving it!).
I had a T5 Estate for a few months and should never have sold it, was a Manual on 225k and it was 'OK' but needed a few bits as ever.
Will keep an eye on this and see what you do next (apart from driving it!).
Yes private UK car and it was less than those Jap import ones price wise!
Odometer says 123,000, its got MOT's back to 2006 and I think it only had one year where the odometer was broken so maybe a few thousand more on the clock but not much more. Its tidy on the body, the last owner spent quite a lot renewing front grill, side mouldings, genuine Volvo screen recent with new trims that go up and over the roof. All new boot badges, rear badges. Not sure about underneath, its going on a four poster tomorrow.
I had a 1996 850R in 2004 and then bought a 2004 V70 R manual from main dealer back in 2005, sold that in 2010.
Odometer says 123,000, its got MOT's back to 2006 and I think it only had one year where the odometer was broken so maybe a few thousand more on the clock but not much more. Its tidy on the body, the last owner spent quite a lot renewing front grill, side mouldings, genuine Volvo screen recent with new trims that go up and over the roof. All new boot badges, rear badges. Not sure about underneath, its going on a four poster tomorrow.
I had a 1996 850R in 2004 and then bought a 2004 V70 R manual from main dealer back in 2005, sold that in 2010.
Very nice. Always fancied one of these. Was going to buy the below many years ago (bought a MK2 GTI from same dealer) but bought another Mk2 GTI instead. Should have just got the Volvo 
http://www.danielcurnock.co.uk/forsale/view_pd.php...
http://www.danielcurnock.co.uk/forsale/view_pd.php...
My 850 R estate was same metallic grey. That one looks lovely. I bought a Mk2 Golf GTI 16v 3door back in 2009 for £360 off eBay with MOT! Stripped it and fitted full cage and built a 2.0 16v lump in my garage and used it as a track car. It made 170bhp on the rollers and was quite lively. Sold it in 2013.
S100HP said:
Lovely. Only bettered if it had been a wagon. Please keep updated.
I’ve had 3 Volvo estates before, 850R, V70R, V70 D5 R design. That was when the kids were young. I always preferred the shape of the estate years ago but now I’m older I prefer the saloon. I wouldn’t have bought an estate nowadays, the saloon is a lot rarer as they never sold well. Will update as I go along.
MDMA . said:
Colour is actually called Cream Yellow. Swedish for yellow is Gul.
I figured it would be the colour, every day is a school day! I used to deal with Volvo a lot back in the day, and visited Gothenburg many times, that was back in the Ford/PAG days, so a few years after this. Great car, great colour.
Cookeh said:
Definitely a Shemtek car, I've seen it there whilst having my T5 worked on. In fact Shem was actually driving it (customer car) when I last saw it.
Definitely prefer the estates (I'm biased) but the saloons are still great looking things. I'll be following along with your updates.
Yes, I’ve spoken to him a few times and he comes across as very helpful and a nice guy. Only problem is he’s in Nottingham and I’m in Kent!Definitely prefer the estates (I'm biased) but the saloons are still great looking things. I'll be following along with your updates.
Pretty sure when I used to frequent the Volvo forums 15 years ago or so he was just someone that used to mod his own car a bit like Tim Williams and then made a living out of it. Obviously good at what he does.
TheAngryDog said:
Awesome car. I hope it serves you well.
I used to yearn over a normal 850 T5 saloon / S70 T5, but those days are gone now. Would like one, but not at today's prices.
Thanks.I used to yearn over a normal 850 T5 saloon / S70 T5, but those days are gone now. Would like one, but not at today's prices.
It’s just a bit of fun really to go to local Retro shows, although I do intend to change a few things to get it driving better.
Took it to my mates garage yesterday to inspect underneath and it’s very tidy. Even stuff like the fuel filter had been changed recently and cradle wasn’t rotten either! Got my mate to drive it and he said it drove very well and went much better than another he sees in his workshop. It’s difficult as it’s not fair for me to compare the T-5R to my F80 M3 as they worlds apart. Volvo is quick though, it produced 456nm at 3800rpm on rolling road last week!
Who doesn’t love a blonde Swede? Seriously cool car, but reading now about some (many) of the little niggles that these old girls are increasingly afflicted with. That said, I think it’d still be a pretty good ownership proposition with the near enough to zero depreciation now. If only I had the garage space and time!
TheAngryDog said:
The 2.3 is a gem of an engine. Much better than the 2.5. Does the air con work? I know it was one of the things that would stop working on the 850.
I am just a bit envious tbh
Compressor kicks in but no cold air, suspect condenser knackered. Doubt I’ll bother with it unless I’m at the stage where I’ve done everything to the car and nothing to do! I am just a bit envious tbh
Edited by cosworth330 on Sunday 21st April 21:24
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