Volvo 850 T5 - My first barge
Discussion
It was a cold spring day, I was passing junction 10 of the M42 as I had hundreds of times before. This time it was different, the mighty I have owned for 10 years was now really suffering, each and every one of those 190,000 was taking it toll on the poor engine. It was at that moment I knew her time was up. Not a very PH car, but she has provided much enjoyment to me and my friends over the years.....
The search was on for something new. I wanted something older, interesting, in great condition and very different to what I had before. At that time I had no specific requirements and I was open to offers and suggestions. I test drove many cars, Afla GTV, Mazda MX5, Mondeo ST24. Then I found a car on autotrader and I felt compelled to view, it was being sold by a dealer - something I was weary of, it is an automatic - something I thought killed all motoring pleasure and she had pensioner spec wooden dash with rouched leather door inserts....
The dealer is a top man, reassuring in his openness and the quality of the other cars he is selling. A man who likes his cars older, in fantastic condition and slightly quirky and is happy to talk about them, someone who spoke in fact and not cliches. This is someone I can do a deal with.
After seeing the mountain of paper work and a fully document history from the original sales receipt, the 15 service stamps in the book and a further 6 stamped on to a piece of paper stapled in to the service book as it had run out of room, every receipt from a light bulb bought in 1998 to a cambelt and tensioner replacement in October 2012 and to the valuation and handover documents the previous owner has when he part exchanged the car for a brand new XJ jag.
The test drive was a dream, leather seats that are supportive and comfortable, a lovely engine note, silky smooth gear box in which the sport, economy and snow settings all working, air con giving my face frost bite and heated seats that were slow cooking my piles. we found a very quite A road, good visibility and wide, time for my first over take would the kick down be smooth? did the T5 really have much power? I was worried for no reason. The button was clicked to sport mode, I floored it 35-60 happened in a flash and a lovely rich sound came from engine. I pulled back in, dispatching this long caravan being towed by a Discovery in an instant. The speedo was telling me things that PC Plod would not be happy about but I was. The rest of the test drive consisted on watching all the dials and lights like a hawk and listening for any squeaks and rattles, none appeared. I needed some time to think.
I went back the next day to pay a deposit,the decision had been made. A couple of days later I went to pick her up.
That was a week ago, now 350 miles have been covered all in luxury and without fault. The problems I was expecting with an old car have not manifested themselves as yet. The previous owners really had looked after this car, it was their pride and joy. It shows.
There was still on test, what did she really handle like? I have been calm in taking her in to the corners so far. I was down to marshal the Morgan owners club meeting at Donington, I decided to see how she felt coming down the Craners, round the Old Hairpin and through Mcleans and Coppice, nothing crazy just enough to see how she felt. All was well, small amount of body roll, no horrid sounds and a feeling of stability good grip and that I could have taken those corners significantly faster without any danger.
There we have it, I am now the very proud owner of a 1995 Volvo 850 T5
The search was on for something new. I wanted something older, interesting, in great condition and very different to what I had before. At that time I had no specific requirements and I was open to offers and suggestions. I test drove many cars, Afla GTV, Mazda MX5, Mondeo ST24. Then I found a car on autotrader and I felt compelled to view, it was being sold by a dealer - something I was weary of, it is an automatic - something I thought killed all motoring pleasure and she had pensioner spec wooden dash with rouched leather door inserts....
The dealer is a top man, reassuring in his openness and the quality of the other cars he is selling. A man who likes his cars older, in fantastic condition and slightly quirky and is happy to talk about them, someone who spoke in fact and not cliches. This is someone I can do a deal with.
After seeing the mountain of paper work and a fully document history from the original sales receipt, the 15 service stamps in the book and a further 6 stamped on to a piece of paper stapled in to the service book as it had run out of room, every receipt from a light bulb bought in 1998 to a cambelt and tensioner replacement in October 2012 and to the valuation and handover documents the previous owner has when he part exchanged the car for a brand new XJ jag.
The test drive was a dream, leather seats that are supportive and comfortable, a lovely engine note, silky smooth gear box in which the sport, economy and snow settings all working, air con giving my face frost bite and heated seats that were slow cooking my piles. we found a very quite A road, good visibility and wide, time for my first over take would the kick down be smooth? did the T5 really have much power? I was worried for no reason. The button was clicked to sport mode, I floored it 35-60 happened in a flash and a lovely rich sound came from engine. I pulled back in, dispatching this long caravan being towed by a Discovery in an instant. The speedo was telling me things that PC Plod would not be happy about but I was. The rest of the test drive consisted on watching all the dials and lights like a hawk and listening for any squeaks and rattles, none appeared. I needed some time to think.
I went back the next day to pay a deposit,the decision had been made. A couple of days later I went to pick her up.
That was a week ago, now 350 miles have been covered all in luxury and without fault. The problems I was expecting with an old car have not manifested themselves as yet. The previous owners really had looked after this car, it was their pride and joy. It shows.
There was still on test, what did she really handle like? I have been calm in taking her in to the corners so far. I was down to marshal the Morgan owners club meeting at Donington, I decided to see how she felt coming down the Craners, round the Old Hairpin and through Mcleans and Coppice, nothing crazy just enough to see how she felt. All was well, small amount of body roll, no horrid sounds and a feeling of stability good grip and that I could have taken those corners significantly faster without any danger.
There we have it, I am now the very proud owner of a 1995 Volvo 850 T5
Geekman said:
That sounds like a really nice example - if you don't mind me asking, how much did it cost you? Will likely have to put my one up for sale at some point in the next few months. 
I paid top dollar for it, £1400, but I was determined to buy a car on condition. All of the jobs I was thinking I would have to do on this have been done in the past couple of years. Personally I think it is worth every penny.I will take some more pics this afternoon
Very nice.
I bought a cheap 850 t5 cd some years ago and fell in love with it. So much so that I then bought a lovely 850R, favourite colour & interior combo, never let me down - and I still wonder why I sold it. Small profit came into it, but at the time I convinced myself to go back down the hot hatch route. My OH said I couldn't have another after that one
Roll on a few cars and I'm in need of a quick, executive wagon so thought about a v70 t5, but tbh, I quite fancy another 850 t5. The missus says I'm allowed as she misses it too, lol!!
Also, the auto was really good in the snow, I can remember driving my t5 auto some distance in heavy snow and it was no problem at all. P6000's as well, lol!!
I bought a cheap 850 t5 cd some years ago and fell in love with it. So much so that I then bought a lovely 850R, favourite colour & interior combo, never let me down - and I still wonder why I sold it. Small profit came into it, but at the time I convinced myself to go back down the hot hatch route. My OH said I couldn't have another after that one
Roll on a few cars and I'm in need of a quick, executive wagon so thought about a v70 t5, but tbh, I quite fancy another 850 t5. The missus says I'm allowed as she misses it too, lol!!
Also, the auto was really good in the snow, I can remember driving my t5 auto some distance in heavy snow and it was no problem at all. P6000's as well, lol!!
I really cannot fault this car I am amazed what little toll 18 years and 140,000 miles have taken. It goes to show that good preventative maintenance and mechanical sympathy really do count.
I checked all the electrical gizmos on my first test drive, it was an interesting feeling having my face frozen and arse cooking!
It might sound strange but I really like the buttons on the dash, you actually have to apply a decent amount of pressure and there is a reassuring click when depressed.
I might look in to nice sounding exhaust options, there is a lovely smooth rich sound from the engine at about 4,500 rpm, I get the feeling it is being hidden away somewhat and it is there to be released. I have considered a bigger brake option as I have seen it carried out by lots of owners on forums, however this is going to be something for the future. My next jobs are going to be new tyres (recommendations welcome) and starting to buy service items when they are on offer. So if anyone can recommend good oil, spark plugs and filters ect I am all ears, I have heard that Shell Helix is the oil to go for on these? I want this car to stay in tip top condition
On a boring point what fuel economy can be expected? I am averaging 32.1 mpg on the onboard computer with mostly motorway and some town driving, this is over 250 miles. I am guessing this is about as good as it gets? Also does using cruise control have much of an effect?
I checked all the electrical gizmos on my first test drive, it was an interesting feeling having my face frozen and arse cooking!
It might sound strange but I really like the buttons on the dash, you actually have to apply a decent amount of pressure and there is a reassuring click when depressed.
I might look in to nice sounding exhaust options, there is a lovely smooth rich sound from the engine at about 4,500 rpm, I get the feeling it is being hidden away somewhat and it is there to be released. I have considered a bigger brake option as I have seen it carried out by lots of owners on forums, however this is going to be something for the future. My next jobs are going to be new tyres (recommendations welcome) and starting to buy service items when they are on offer. So if anyone can recommend good oil, spark plugs and filters ect I am all ears, I have heard that Shell Helix is the oil to go for on these? I want this car to stay in tip top condition
On a boring point what fuel economy can be expected? I am averaging 32.1 mpg on the onboard computer with mostly motorway and some town driving, this is over 250 miles. I am guessing this is about as good as it gets? Also does using cruise control have much of an effect?
XJSsometimeSoon said:
I paid top dollar for it, £1400, but I was determined to buy a car on condition. All of the jobs I was thinking I would have to do on this have been done in the past couple of years. Personally I think it is worth every penny.
I will take some more pics this afternoon
To be honest, although it's top dollar as you say, judging by your description of the history I'd say it's definitely worth it. Mine is mechanically sound but has a lot of little niggles which would easily bring the total cost over what you paid if I was to fix them.I will take some more pics this afternoon
Rare to see over 30mpg, easy to get down below 20mpg, think 25mpg was my long term average and I used to use it to commute from Brighton to London three days a week.
Cruise made little difference, although if you see a hill approaching, speeding up on the flat so the cruise doesn't knock it down a gear as it slows on the hill tends to help, if that makes sense!
For tyres, I found Khumos were surprisingly good, Event were quite an event and to be avoided and Pirelli P-Zeros wore out quickly, were very expensive and to be honest, the Khumos gripped pretty much as well.
Cruise made little difference, although if you see a hill approaching, speeding up on the flat so the cruise doesn't knock it down a gear as it slows on the hill tends to help, if that makes sense!
For tyres, I found Khumos were surprisingly good, Event were quite an event and to be avoided and Pirelli P-Zeros wore out quickly, were very expensive and to be honest, the Khumos gripped pretty much as well.
I bought Goodyear Eagle F1A2 tyres for my C70 T5 but I think the Internet wisdom is that they'll wear out quickly. Much better than the previous Pirelli P6000s though,
I'm interested in changing the exhaust for something which will release some more 5 cylinder noisy goodness. Is the Ferrita best and where's best to get it from?
I'm interested in changing the exhaust for something which will release some more 5 cylinder noisy goodness. Is the Ferrita best and where's best to get it from?
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