850 Versus S70

[mecheng]

I take my comment about the LPT back, I know prefer the HPT because I figured how to use it. You just need to push harder on the pedal LOL. The best is rolling accleration when it drops down a gear; it feels like a lot more than 236hp. The T5 is a great engine; mid range and high end. The LPT is good but loses steam pretty quickly mid to high rpm.

I agree, the styling of the 850 and S70 is distinct but the S70 perfected the angular styling without looking dated. My S70 gets a lot of stares; I don't like the non painted bumpers on the 850.

After not driving my old S70 for a year, I was really surprised at how hard you have to mash down on the gas for power out on the highway - but when you do, it spools up and zooms away.

Electronic throttles change everything. They give you pretty much everything the car's got to give at 50-70% throttle, and then have nothing left when you floor it

I have this same car, this can be fixed by giving the waste gate 1/2 to 1 turns, you don't have to mash it, 60% throttle and it will start to take off. Normal driving is not affected.

[jblackburn]

I take my comment about the LPT back, I know prefer the HPT because I figured how to use it. You just need to push harder on the pedal LOL. The best is rolling accleration when it drops down a gear; it feels like a lot more than 236hp. The T5 is a great engine; mid range and high end. The LPT is good but loses steam pretty quickly mid to high rpm.

I agree, the styling of the 850 and S70 is distinct but the S70 perfected the angular styling without looking dated. My S70 gets a lot of stares; I don't like the non painted bumpers on the 850.

After not driving my old S70 for a year, I was really surprised at how hard you have to mash down on the gas for power out on the highway - but when you do, it spools up and zooms away.

Electronic throttles change everything. They give you pretty much everything the car's got to give at 50-70% throttle, and then have nothing left when you floor it

I have this same car, this can be fixed by giving the waste gate 1/2 to 1 turns, you don't have to mash it, 60% throttle and it will start to take off. Normal driving is not affected.

Done it.

60% is "mashing it" for me

[hausmeister]

ive owned both S70 T5 and 850 turbo/R's. I prefer the 850s as far as performance and quality, I think the S70 is better as far as comfort driving.

I think it comes down to how good the car was maintained. The s70 has a bit better sound dampening and some other improvements that are imo mostly cosmetic.
In my case as I said the s70 rides way better, but that is only because I took good care of it and the 850 still needs a lot of love (eg. rear suspension is bad) and was not maintained correctly before I got it.

If you do a "suspension stage 0" on an s70 and an 850 I don't think there would be much difference.

[mecheng]

I think I figured out the massive difference in steering feel is due to different racks.

850 came with TRW rack: lots of weight to the feel

S70s mainly came with SMI rack: heavily assisted

I prefer the TRW rack, except for long distance driving.

I noticed the 2.4LPT in the 850 has a deep growl sound to it.

My 2.3HPT in the S70 is very quiet, it only has a faint turbo sound. The 5 cylinder growl is very faint

Is that a characteristic of these engines or did they make the exhaust and engine note more quiet in the S70??

[jblackburn]

I think I figured out the massive difference in steering feel is due to different racks.

850 came with TRW rack: lots of weight to the feel

S70s mainly came with SMI rack: heavily assisted

I prefer the TRW rack, except for long distance driving.

I noticed the 2.4LPT in the 850 has a deep growl sound to it.

My 2.3HPT in the S70 is very quiet, it only has a faint turbo sound. The 5 cylinder growl is very faint

Is that a characteristic of these engines or did they make the exhaust and engine note more quiet in the S70??

Was that a late 98/99 switch? I have a TRW - steering feels like driving a tank.

Also sounds like a big, angry truck when that 16T spools. The 1998 does spool noticeably slower than an 850 T5, 1999 was better due to different flange and VVT.

[precopster]

Noticed the same thing on both 1999 and 2000 V70s regarding the steering weight and feel. The self-centering is also not as good on the later cars with SMI rack when compared to 850s.

I always thought it was the different PS pump however what jblackburn said makes sense as my V70 2000 has an SMI rack. I have a 1998 V70R also and haven't driven it enough to comment; the huge turning circle of the AWD took me by surprise though. Was this a feature of the AWD 850s as well?

[jblackburn]

Was this a feature of the AWD 850s as well?

We never got those in the US. The Canadians got a handful in 1997.

[mecheng]

I think I figured out the massive difference in steering feel is due to different racks.

850 came with TRW rack: lots of weight to the feel

S70s mainly came with SMI rack: heavily assisted

I prefer the TRW rack, except for long distance driving.

I noticed the 2.4LPT in the 850 has a deep growl sound to it.

My 2.3HPT in the S70 is very quiet, it only has a faint turbo sound. The 5 cylinder growl is very faint

Is that a characteristic of these engines or did they make the exhaust and engine note more quiet in the S70??

Was that a late 98/99 switch? I have a TRW - steering feels like driving a tank.

Also sounds like a big, angry truck when that 16T spools. The 1998 does spool noticeably slower than an 850 T5, 1999 was better due to different flange and VVT.

Yes, I think so. I have the mech tensioner so I have a later 98.
I flushed the ps fluid in both thinking it was old and would make a difference. It didn't.
The TRW rack is good for forearm work outs, I kinda like it. They went overboard on the assist on SMI racks

The 16t once awake is an angry beast indeed. Otherwise the entire engine in my HPT is pretty smooth and quiet

The 97LPT has a nice growl even from idle; it's never as quiet as my S70.

[scot850]

I think it all comes down to personal driving styles and what you are used to. I've had an 93 850 GLT, a 98 V70XC both on standard 15" rims and currently have a 2000 V70R on 17" rims.

For me, the 93 road a little harder than the 98 it had Bilstien Touring front shocks, the 98 OE Sachs, but the 93 drove much better, road the road better and felt more solid. Still loved the 98 for the bad weather and it did run smoother on the rougher roads, but didn't have as solid a feel to the road. 93 was much better made, but then both have their respective issues when it came to breaking parts.

The 2000 runs way harder on the road, but although having wider tires, with lower profile, does not feel as glued as the 93 did. That is inspite of the lower profile tires, IPD anti-sway bars, and end links. Some of this may be down to tire choice. I have removed the Bilstein HD front shocks as they are way too hard for the roads around here, particularly on rutted winter roads.

93 850 was somewhat gut-less until you got the revs up, 98 was great as the LPT turbo was tuned for low down torque, so was quick of the mark. 2000 is just silly with RICA power, but fun.

If I were to buy another 850/P80, it would probably be either a 850R wagon, or Turbo wagon. Like wagons for there usefulness. Won't be buying another pre-2004 AWD Volvo. I'll stick to FWD and good tires and the relative simplicity mechanically and cheaper parts.

Like I said, it is all preferences to what you like.

Neil.

[whilst]

Hi all.
Infrequent poster,frequent lurker.
I have a '95 850t,daughter has '98 S70 'Base"-early.
Always have been dissatisfied with 'ride' of turbo. Trucklike is kind. Tried Koni Sport, back to Sachs; now running Koni S.T.R.T. ( Sports were better)
Did the aluminum control arms with 'floating' polys,back to new irons. Everything,I mean everything is new-Frt.& Rear. More exact steering and handling, but no change in ride quality.
Daughters' S70 all new 'stuff. Has always ridden with much less harshness!
> I believe it's due to the springs having a lower rate.
If the car dies, I'm going to swap out and confirm.
Also believe, the stock 'bonded' sway bars, contribute to the higher spring rate.
IPD bars seem to help> "floating" type.
S70 seems to have better 'centering' return and lighter effort.
My posit,anyway.
Cheers.