850 Versus S70

[mecheng]

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.

Agree with all of the above. The 850 handles better but the ride is much harsher, and I have 15s on the 850. With low profile it would be unbearable.

[Redneck]

I have 1996 850 with SMI rack. SMI wasn't original. I wasn't happy to find out that they changed the rack to SMI, but I am happy to read here that TRW isn't that good. For forearm workout I go to the gym. I don't need to exercise my arms turning the steering wheel. LOL.

I put in a new Sachs struts front and rear and the car feels really good and firm. The body never rusts even with the paint scratched off in a few places for many years. It is made of a good quality metal that doesn't rust easily.

[shaker_chi]

I have to agree regarding the steering and handling. I have a 1994 850 manual and a 1998 S70 T5 manual and the 850 handles much better. I thought it may be the size of the steering wheel. The 850 seems to be larger and has more padding, just feels better in my hands.

[dosbricks]

My 855 rides harsh compared to my wife's S70. I always figured it was because it was a wagon. It does handle a bit better though.

We have TRW racks under both, and the steering feel seems just right for a European sport sedan/wagon.

[abscate]

I've been loving my T5 after putting new struts springs mounts on all four corners this summer. Almost perfect critical damping on the roads...love it!