hello fellas

has anyone driven a Volvo 850R? how is it like? currently i am thinking to change my scooby to something else. been told according to previous listings there are only supposed to be 106 R’s left in the UK & 77 of these are Estates but only 12 of these are Manual. is that real? is that rare? how is mantainence comparing to scooby? any ideas?

thanks in advance

scoobyhummel

 

Hi

I can bore you about Volvo's - and 'R's are reasonably rare - a yellow T5R or white 850R in manual would be by far the hardest to find. They are 240/250hp respectively, both have all toys including swede/leather interior, the 850R has a different gearbox to all over 850's which incorporates an LSD.

All T5's are a doddle to tune beyond 300hp, a good one will see off 996's, newage STI's, E46 M3's etc through the midrange and beyond. Traction is an issue though. Steering is vague and as an experience it isn't that rewarding. The value of a car is based largely on overall condition and service history. Mileage is irrelevant - but to make the car feel more taught you will need a complete change in suspension, strut brace, poly bush, new drop links etc etc. Tyres last 10k on the front 30k on the back. So prices range from £2k-£5k, I have seen one at £7k recently which is too much IMO.

I went the other way, started with a good T5 - bought it for peanuts got it in good order and the 'fettled' it. Car owes me under £2k - can park it anywhere, insurance/running costs are cheap.

Cambelts are 70k-80k, turob's are 130k-170k, gearbox's are 150k-200k [auto] clutches will do a lifetime really.

Conclusivly it is a good solid car to own - it will never be as rewarding to drive as alternative 'sports saloons' but it does go bloody well - tuning options are good too.

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yaaaaaaawn

 

 

I think the early models were only FWD, but because of traction problems they started making them AWD.

They are very rare, I have never seen an 850R saloon but have seen quite a few estates. I would not rule out getting a T5-R if you dont see a good R model, I think they are even rarer.

I know Volvo has an image problem, but you will not be dissapointed they are very quick cars. My dad had a 850 T5 and I have previously owned an S40 T4. Running costs were far better that a Subaru and you dont get unwanted attention.

Just remember to slow down at the corners though, they dont handle like a scooby. All said though i would have one over a performance Audi or Bmw

 

My dad was a volvo fan for a long time and test drove a T5R with me as a passenger. All I remember is him pulling onto a local bypass and without trying getting wheelspin in 3rd gear
That car was an animal that was likely to bite...
Rare enough at launch, obviously very rare now but quality

 

The V70R was a far better car than the T5.
I drove both hard back to back.
Basicaly the R has improved brakes, suspension, stearing feel etc etc. I felt like it could handle the power.
The T5s T4s and 850R s although great engines and very quick once you wound them up were an incomplete package as they didnt handle.

The one I expect is the best is the S60 R (this is the only one I havent driven ) Does this use a ford floor plan like the S40 and V50...anyone?

Steve

 

^^^^No.

S60 was pre ford I think?

 

Thanks fella
for the life of me couldnt remember
Steve

 

'swede/leather interior' Andy. LOL, does the man who made it come with it as an optional extra

 

 

I had a T5 with a rica 285hp upgrade.
It was very quick, when you could get enough traction.
The handling wasn't great, hence the arrival of my scooby!

 

My Mum had a V70R AWD and its brilliant, takes a while to wind up but goes very well when it does. The noise of that 5 Cyl is awesome too, very group B Audi!!!

Top car really.....

 

thanks fellas