scoobynutta555

Thinking of getting a manual one of these, probably an 850 as they seem really good value for money right now (sub £1k). My question is I take it they run quite happily on NUL petrol and there's no need for higher octane fuel? Any bits and bobs regarding running costs, buying tips would be appreciated. From what I've read though they seem to be quite reliable unless obviously abused.

Andy M3

I have had x4 Volvo 850's and x1 V70R FWD. Of those 5, x3 were tuned beyond 300lb/ft [x2 manuals and an auto] and I can safely say my £1200 854 [term for 850 4 door] was a laugh a minute.

vpcuk.org will help you with buying guides, but they are straight forward to buy, run and maintain. They run nicely on 95 ron with 225 hp and they are quite quick and refined. They do like fuel though, 18-25mpg.

I spent £200 on a used ECU that allegedly take's it beyond 300hp, but I know it had 300lb/ft + all over the rev range. It is tuned to 98 ron though.

They have little in the way of braking, or handling ability - but you entertain people as you pass them smoking the front wheels beyond 100km/h

scoobynutta555

Probably why the front tyres don't seem to last long then lol. I'll be keeping it standard TBH, will be for motorway driving, possibly even a bit of towing.

rabskyline

great cars.. absolutely spot on. park them in asda and no one cares.. blast them and they are a hoot (when sorted a little ) ... i love them.and cheap 300bhp potential too .

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

I loved the one we had, typical Swede, great engine, safe but otherwise not much of a driving tool, you get your thrills from the straight line performance.

Andy M3

And noise

dome

I looked at these and Saab 9000 Aero's. I chose an Aero cos the interiors of the 850's are fugly. Unless you really need an estate they are worth a look.
Just as bombproof and tuneable, mine has 235k on the clock and is still healthy

what would scooby do

Just buy a legacy GTB and get factory 280BHP and near impreza handling and grip ???

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

I like my Swedish cars, currently on a 9-3 Aero, remapped to 250 bhp, enough strait line to trouble most stuff (288 lbs ft) and its acceptable to the wife, othereise it would be an Impreza, but a Saab is cheaper than a Divorce.

Andy M3

For a grand

skinters

Struggle to get a 9k Aero for a grand either unless it's a sorry one. (285bhp chip and exhaust for the manual TD04 model) You'd pick up a T25 based 200bhp non-aero one for that though. (260bhp with chip and exhuast)

mine at 160k and feels fresh fresh - although it has been 'fettled' somewhat.

what would scooby do

£2k to £3k

rabskyline

i have a gtb spec vtd for sale.. 2 grand, zerosports zost and hks filter so circa 270bhp... here its here..
SUBARU LEGACY TWIN TURBO GTB SPEC V-LTD RARE AUTO !! on eBay, also, Subaru, Cars, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 18-May-08 20:49:06 BST)

scoobynutta555

Do they run on NUL or SUL?

djmisio85

Well,if im not mistaken, they run the same 5pot engine as the audis of old.

Best engine ever made, ive seen a video somewhere, original engine had done over 800,000 kms !!!

Andy M3

Not the same engine, Audi's are iron block and longitudinal mounted [right term?] as apposed to the transverse alloy block/head of the T5. Different turbo/box etc etc. Somewhat easier to tune than the S2's of the same era.

And you run them on 95RON.

Paul_M

Auto

djmisio85

But apart from the actual block material, design and function-wise, theyre the same engine right? Volvo bought the rights from audi to use this 5-pot , 20v engine?

And yes, correct, longitudinally mounted, I think audi did that for the weight balance of the car, which was strange, cos many of the audis of that time were FWD.... surely a transverse would have made things easier, but hey...

obv auxiliaries like turbo and box are different....

Easier to tune? I thought the audi 5pot was one of the best when it comes to tuning, have seen a few 800bhp + audis....