Discussion
Mine was only S70 5 T Saloon Auto in Smoke Grey with Charcoal grey Leather and the dark wood trim including the rare steering wheel. I bought it off a fellow PHer who had done most of the mods .
Rica upgraded ECU, strut brace , Crystal headlights with HIDs.
I added bigger disks and police spec pads .
Like a pillock I sold it after my father died as it held too many memories of the last months of his life , A very big mistake but grief can affect us in strange ways . I did follow it with a couple of T5 coupes , which brought my total of 5 pot Volvo's owned to 4 . Total Volvo's to 9 .
Rica upgraded ECU, strut brace , Crystal headlights with HIDs.
I added bigger disks and police spec pads .
Like a pillock I sold it after my father died as it held too many memories of the last months of his life , A very big mistake but grief can affect us in strange ways . I did follow it with a couple of T5 coupes , which brought my total of 5 pot Volvo's owned to 4 . Total Volvo's to 9 .
d_a_n1979 said:
The more I look at this the more it makes me realise that (not an 850 I know) a V70 R AWD Jap import could deffo be my next car... 
That does sound quite tempting. Great car OP.
One of these decided it will be funny to pass me pretty closely at full chat while I was out on the push bike. While he was a t
t of the highest order I was still impressed with the way it went down the road. thebraketester said:
d_a_n1979 said:
The more I look at this the more it makes me realise that (not an 850 I know) a V70 R AWD Jap import could deffo be my next car...
Nice on on eBay at the moment V70 T6. Lovely. There are two V70 R's local to me in better colours IMO; will keep my eyes on those and see what comes of things come Spring 2021
I've a few in a 'waiting list' for my E39 touring; so if I do decide to sell; hopefully it'll be a painless experience
OP - loving the car and passion to keep it.
Originally a T5 owner before people knew what they were. They were a proper sleeper/Q car until the public became aware of their potential, mostly due to the Police using them. Luckily owned each variant of T5 through the various V70 models also ran every type of D5. My personal favourite was the T5 Phase 1 manual box with 2.3, whilst the Phase 2 with 2.4 manual was essentially a much better driver's car. People like Don Kalmar and Phil Whitaker used to help tune them 25ish years ago. The comment over RICA, brake upgrades, strut brace, etc, etc all bring back fond memories BUT you could go through a set of front tyres in 5,000miles. One item that I remember is the look on a BMW M3 drivers face as I pulled away on the motorway - right gear with turbo on song and priceless.
OP - you must post, as some of us still have a soft spot for the "T5". Even though some of us may now have access to fast cars/bikes, the V70 T5 was a game changer for a young man with 3 kids in baby seats who missed his 205 GTi. In my affections only a RS6 Avant has come close to the V70 T5.
Originally a T5 owner before people knew what they were. They were a proper sleeper/Q car until the public became aware of their potential, mostly due to the Police using them. Luckily owned each variant of T5 through the various V70 models also ran every type of D5. My personal favourite was the T5 Phase 1 manual box with 2.3, whilst the Phase 2 with 2.4 manual was essentially a much better driver's car. People like Don Kalmar and Phil Whitaker used to help tune them 25ish years ago. The comment over RICA, brake upgrades, strut brace, etc, etc all bring back fond memories BUT you could go through a set of front tyres in 5,000miles. One item that I remember is the look on a BMW M3 drivers face as I pulled away on the motorway - right gear with turbo on song and priceless.
OP - you must post, as some of us still have a soft spot for the "T5". Even though some of us may now have access to fast cars/bikes, the V70 T5 was a game changer for a young man with 3 kids in baby seats who missed his 205 GTi. In my affections only a RS6 Avant has come close to the V70 T5.
Another 850R owner here. I was picking up some plumbing supplies last week (the 850 holds 3m PVC pipes with no problem, probably one of their development teams unofficial design requirements!) and in the car park some tradesmen came up to me and begged me to sell it them, although mine isn't as pristine as it used to be. A few niggling issues did have me consider it if they offered good money, but I'm sure they were trying to pry it out of my hand for a steal, and wouldn't come up with a number.
I told one of by best (car) mates later that night and got told off for thinking of selling it! He has been saying I should take it off the road and restore it, but I don't have the time or motivation at the moment.
I told one of by best (car) mates later that night and got told off for thinking of selling it! He has been saying I should take it off the road and restore it, but I don't have the time or motivation at the moment.
850R said:
Not sure how to quote and reply to each and everyone of you, but really appreciate the positive comments on here, it still amazes me the attention the old brick gets, from filling up with fuel, to parking it when shopping, people seem really interested, younger or older alike, it’s not for the Volvo purist, it’s heavily modified, but I wanted to retain an OE + kind of look.
Visibly it’s a lot lower on the BC coilovers, the ride height IMO is spot on, and with the supporting modifications handles particularly well without compromising on the ride quality too much, the lower bumper splitter, upgraded brakes, the standard brakes are truly woeful as anyone has driven one of these would testify!
The exhaust is a 3” turbo back stainless, running a Decat With a larger rectangle tip which I’ve heat wrapped (race car)!!! Of course! I am not going to lie, it’s loud, does the 5pot justice especially at full chat, I don’t have a pop and bang map (I’m nearly 40) but it does make some nice noises on over run and on the down changes with the occasional flame from the exhaust!
It’s heavily modified engine wise after a full rebuild nearly 2 years ago (cooked the head) another post for this.
I often get asked what’s the BHP, truth is I’ve never stuck it on a DYNO, I’ve never wanted to chase figures with Rydell, I need something reliable as daily, however my arse DYNO says it gets down the road very well!! I’ve heard of figures being banded around of 300bhp with just a map, I’m not convinced by these claims, unless with supporting modifications.
The car when I first bought it was a death trap, I soon booked into my local main dealer, wanted a health check and a coolant change, and service, they advised me of a few oil leaks, but nothing to be overly concerned about, winner. I would use it and enjoy it and get the list of items gradually ticked off the list in order of priority.
Soon after collecting it I still wasn’t happy with the way it went down the road, lazy on boost and most importantly handled not particularly great. The previous owner had popped some dieyung tyres on it so off they came and replaced with some decent new rubber. I thought the suspension could do with a freshen up and had read that a Volvo strut brace sorted the front end washing away at every given opportunity.
I’d manage to find a local independent, as even though it had been into main dealer I wasn’t over impressed with the level of service (gets better later on) and I got the impression it was just another old Volvo, who in essence it was.
After dropping the bus off at the independent, I received a call a day or so later. The words that will forever haunt me “hi rich are you sitting down” to cut a completely long story short, while the 850 came with 2 lever arch files of history, the previous owner had been charged top money on labour and parts, for the work to be carried out by a chimp.
The following words were “the 850 is a death trap” and “we can’t let the car go back on the road as it is now, you better get down here and take a look!”
This is historically where the story starts......and the story of money pit of a car began
Thanks again to everyone
It'll always garner interestVisibly it’s a lot lower on the BC coilovers, the ride height IMO is spot on, and with the supporting modifications handles particularly well without compromising on the ride quality too much, the lower bumper splitter, upgraded brakes, the standard brakes are truly woeful as anyone has driven one of these would testify!
The exhaust is a 3” turbo back stainless, running a Decat With a larger rectangle tip which I’ve heat wrapped (race car)!!! Of course! I am not going to lie, it’s loud, does the 5pot justice especially at full chat, I don’t have a pop and bang map (I’m nearly 40) but it does make some nice noises on over run and on the down changes with the occasional flame from the exhaust!
It’s heavily modified engine wise after a full rebuild nearly 2 years ago (cooked the head) another post for this.
I often get asked what’s the BHP, truth is I’ve never stuck it on a DYNO, I’ve never wanted to chase figures with Rydell, I need something reliable as daily, however my arse DYNO says it gets down the road very well!! I’ve heard of figures being banded around of 300bhp with just a map, I’m not convinced by these claims, unless with supporting modifications.
The car when I first bought it was a death trap, I soon booked into my local main dealer, wanted a health check and a coolant change, and service, they advised me of a few oil leaks, but nothing to be overly concerned about, winner. I would use it and enjoy it and get the list of items gradually ticked off the list in order of priority.
Soon after collecting it I still wasn’t happy with the way it went down the road, lazy on boost and most importantly handled not particularly great. The previous owner had popped some dieyung tyres on it so off they came and replaced with some decent new rubber. I thought the suspension could do with a freshen up and had read that a Volvo strut brace sorted the front end washing away at every given opportunity.
I’d manage to find a local independent, as even though it had been into main dealer I wasn’t over impressed with the level of service (gets better later on) and I got the impression it was just another old Volvo, who in essence it was.
After dropping the bus off at the independent, I received a call a day or so later. The words that will forever haunt me “hi rich are you sitting down” to cut a completely long story short, while the 850 came with 2 lever arch files of history, the previous owner had been charged top money on labour and parts, for the work to be carried out by a chimp.
The following words were “the 850 is a death trap” and “we can’t let the car go back on the road as it is now, you better get down here and take a look!”
This is historically where the story starts......and the story of money pit of a car began
Thanks again to everyone
Edited by 850R on Tuesday 22 December 05:27
Edited by 850R on Tuesday 22 December 05:28
From those of us old enough to remember their hay-day in the BTCC racing scene; to the days they appeared in Blues n Twos etc (well; that's my childhood anyways)
It's a stunning colour and in stunning condition too; but it's also a blast away from the usual Ford or Germanic estates/tourers that you see on a daily basis and as said, it's RED...
850R said:
The following words were “the 850 is a death trap” and “we can’t let the car go back on the road as it is now, you better get down here and take a look!”
This is historically where the story starts......and the story of money pit of a car began
Thanks again to everyone
Ouch, not words you want to hear! Well done for sticking with it rather than just running a mile like many might have.This is historically where the story starts......and the story of money pit of a car began
Thanks again to everyone
Edited by 850R on Tuesday 22 December 05:27
Edited by 850R on Tuesday 22 December 05:28
TopTrump said:
thebraketester said:
“Has anyone seen the wheel arch compass?”
“fk it... I’ll stick with the ruler”
Do you make the same comment on a Countach?“f
k it... I’ll stick with the ruler”Love the T5's and Turbo Volvo's generally, watching!
I’d rather have the OPs car than a countach.
Anyone who has had a project car for a long time goes through spells of feeling like its time to move it on, especially if there's been a period of winter inactivity.
But unless you've lost your job or something, you can't do anything with the money you'd make right now, and you'd be left with just the CMax you hate.
In a few weeks time it'll be spring, you'll be more inclined to get out and clean it or tinker or indulge in an essential drive.
You say you're missing friends and family and car shows and normal life, but this car is your link to those things (its got you posting on here). I think you'd regret selling it and that you need it for your mental well being.
Hang in there fella
Ben
But unless you've lost your job or something, you can't do anything with the money you'd make right now, and you'd be left with just the CMax you hate.
In a few weeks time it'll be spring, you'll be more inclined to get out and clean it or tinker or indulge in an essential drive.
You say you're missing friends and family and car shows and normal life, but this car is your link to those things (its got you posting on here). I think you'd regret selling it and that you need it for your mental well being.
Hang in there fella
Ben
Can you spend a weekend locked in the garage with a cup of tea and Radio 2 and detail the Volvo to within an inch of its life ? That's what I do when I'm falling out of love with my project car. Then use the other car as your daily and use the Volvo as a sunny weekend car, something to look forward to after a week at work. Maybe set a nice pic of the Volvo as your PC wallpaper at work, just to remind you what you're doing it all for.
Hopefully when lockdown eases, the odd car meet or show might start up again. Even meeting up with mates and parking up outside someone's house would be good. Chin up fella, you have a cool Volvo !
Hopefully when lockdown eases, the odd car meet or show might start up again. Even meeting up with mates and parking up outside someone's house would be good. Chin up fella, you have a cool Volvo !
It’s great to see people offering support to fellow enthusiasts. I’m just some random bloke on the internet (so what do I know?) but would echo the previous two posters. There’s certainly no need to rush into anything. Let the weather warm up and a bit of normality return to life and then take stock.
I rediscovered my enthusiasm for tinkering after years of neglecting mine and coming to the conclusion I should get rid. It’s still there inside you and it won’t take much to reawaken.
I rediscovered my enthusiasm for tinkering after years of neglecting mine and coming to the conclusion I should get rid. It’s still there inside you and it won’t take much to reawaken.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff