I got a 1997 850 R today

Post by **scot850** » 12 Dec 2025, 09:27

I was curious about that too. I do recall the later 850's had a port under the coin tray if I recall correctly.

Neil.

Post by **matthew1** » 12 Dec 2025, 09:57

abscate wrote: ↑12 Dec 2025, 09:01 Is that one of the original OBD scan usb tools from that guy in Texas? Dan something?

It's a home built unit, I don't know the origin though.

Post by **gmh** » 12 Dec 2025, 11:06

matthew1 wrote: ↑12 Dec 2025, 09:57
abscate wrote: ↑12 Dec 2025, 09:01 Is that one of the original OBD scan usb tools from that guy in Texas? Dan something?
It's a home built unit, I don't know the origin though.

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If you're talking about this thing, it's my take on the device in this thread : viewtopic.php?t=60660&hilit=deodorant . I used the obd1 port (for the LED and switch) from my retired 1994 850 Turbo, an obd 2 splitter and duct tape.
Used to read ECC codes and others.

Post by **matthew1** » 14 Dec 2025, 15:17

Ah yes, I remember you telling me about it. I bought an absurdly cheap OBDII scanner, but I might play around with the one you provided.

Drove around a bit today. Engine sounds and feels very healthy! No codes on a basic scanner scan. ABS/tracs light on occasionally. Tape deck works! Whoo! It's a way better stereo than my 2017 VW, as was my black 850. I was listening to a tape from 1987 today. Man that feels good.

The more tech advances in our lives, the more I feel comfortable in 1997.

The 850 gauge cluster is a civilizational pinnacle. It cannot and will never be improved upon. There will be many, many attempts, but it is the Gold Standard and will not be topped ever.

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Post by **scot850** » 14 Dec 2025, 16:15

Definitely a sweet looking car. That dash top looks like it needs a bit of re-alignment to get it to fit properly again. I recall having a bit of a challenge with my buddies 850 AWD a year ago after re-building the dashboard and mounts that were destroyed. 850 dash tops are definitely a little more finicky than the late P80's.

Always loved the 850 turbo gauge. Somewhat pointless, but just a great piece of retro kit of the day.

Neil.

Post by **abscate** » 15 Dec 2025, 03:46

The 1999 with reassuring glow of the ETS light that you have 10,000 miles to scrape up $600 for a new throttle body is offered as a counter example to your perfect dash. You don’t need a boost gauge on a 1999 HPT. If the gauges disappear due to impaired vision g-forces, the boost is working.

Post by **matthew1** » 17 Dec 2025, 14:06

Got temp tags so that I'm not

Post by **abscate** » 23 Dec 2025, 03:04

And you updated your sig

When my company p3 is broken do I get to use the R?

Post by **matthew1** » 25 Feb 2026, 12:35

I'm going to sell this. I'll list it properly in Classifieds later today or tomorrow. I'll keep it to MVS for a couple weeks and if it doesn't sell here I will post it on the much smaller, much less informative "rest of the Internet."

Abscate bought a P3 XC70 for his use while he's here in Colorado, and graciously offered its use to my son, so I don't really need this R after all.

Post by **abscate** » 25 Feb 2026, 17:12

I admire you for letting that gem go. I am still hoarding but should really let some of my unused fleet go.

I got a 1997 850 R today

Re: I got a 1997 850 R today