McMiata Man

Ok, so we were driving past a car dealer when we spotted a dark metalic grey Volvo estate, tinted windows, anthracite alloys etc. We got the keys and had a look inside. Loads of toys, leccy windows, leccy leather chairs(heated) the works! although the fake wood on the dash was a bit too much

It's a 1998 850 R, which is a form of T-5, but since I know nothing about Volvos I could do with some advice.

How much power etc etc. The usual.

Thanks, Dave.

GaryC

A very good friend had an 850R for 3 years (and is a huge Volvo fan, hence my knowledge). Very nice cars, and very good value.

The T5 Story..

The T5 was launched, 2.3l 225bhp (IIRC) great acclaim, police bought 1000's Volvo hit the desirable stakes. Volvo entered the BTCC (with an estate for better aerodynamic ) and in recognition launched a special edition - the 850 T5-R. This was 2.5 litres and power jumped to 250bhp, initially only sold in Yellow but later dark green and black (I think). Once the special edition had passed it was effectively replaced with the 850R as a standard model. Again in both saloon and estate, near enough the same 2.5 engine and the same 250bhp. Came fully loaded, including a trully awesome 10 speaker surround sound stereo! The 850 became the S70/V70 and the 850R became the S70R/V70R. 12 months after that an AWD version was launched but power was reduced to 240bhp for that. Bring you upto date, the V70 was replaced with the new V70, and the S70 was replaced with the S60. The 'R' model is no more, BUT the std T5 now has the 2.5 250bhp engine.

The 850R is a quick car. Designed to be an auto so the manual is a bit of a dog, needs traction control to stop 250bhp chewing through the front tyres in a week, but the traction control only works upto 30mph - at which point the wheel start spinning if you're not careful. Poor brakes although easily uprated, very comfy, doesn't handle particularly well, but stiff suspension means it corners like its on rails if the road is billiard table smooth. Ultimate q-car, especially in estate form. It will feel like a barge if coming from an Impreza Turbo, albeit a quick barge But as big safe estate cars go, it is about the best for pure performance at an affordable price. My friend has just replace his with an S80 T6. The 850R had had a new engine 3000 miles earlier (covered under warrenty) and he still only got £7000 for it performance bargain for someone!

polarbearit

From memory the 850R was 240bhp, the V70R was 250bhp, but the Auto's were 240bhp. The AWD model was still 250bhp unless it was auto... I nearly bought one at auction about 16 months ago, it was a 98R, 70k, went for £12.6k, I'd set my limit at £12.5k... Personally I'd have a legacy GTB in preference to FWD T5, having driven my mum's 850 extensively. That said she has owned her car since 1995 and had no problems, dearest service was under £400 and most were under £150, and the only thing that has gone wrong was a dashboard bulb - so fantastic reliability.

Eats tyres though...

I understand TWR tuned a number of 850R's to 320bhp imagine that through the front wheels!

Jon

47 NAT

IMHO there "Hoover Wallets" ....

Nath