Help identifying genuine 850R

guypwnz · Post by **guypwnz** » 10 Jun 2022, 05:04

Hey guys, new member here

So I am about to do the most craziest thing and fulfill my sudden dream - to buy one of those limited 850. To my surprise I found one in Europe (Ukraine actually where I am from): 1997 850R, 2,3L, 190k km on odo.

Vin: YV1LS5002V2401426

What bothers me a bit is: owner keep insisting that it is a T-5R which to me is clearly not true. Here is why:
1. Seats are suede in the middle, leather on sides (which is 850R and not T-5R feature)
2. Engine code is 50, not 58.
3. Make year is 1997
4. Color is out of T-5R palette7
5. Rims are 7'17

And also there are some bits which I never seen before.
1. Carbon spoiler
2. Air intakes under headlights
3. Wings on skirts
4. Dual exhaust pipes
5. The most - color is Pearl Blue which I never seen before.

Owner tells it is fully stock. So asking for help - can some please help and confirm if that is an actual true 850R or some well made replica.

Photos below

Post by **Sveedy** » 10 Jun 2022, 08:10

1st - Welcome to the madness !
2nd - Yes I'd say it's a 850R
3rd - I want your car ( yes, buy it ) !! Beautiful and unique.

And best wishes for your country. Having been there myself, I can not imagine what you must be feeling.

Post by **hausmeister** » 10 Jun 2022, 08:16

Hi, good luck fulfilling your dream, my T5-R also was a dream car for me (now more like nightmare car, joking

)

It is not a T5-R, that is for sure.

Not sure about R, I don't know these that well, but:
The seat covers are not original. also do not look like an R
The exhaust and spoiler are not original. Maybe the interior trim would tell a bit more..

From what I remember the manual 850 R had a LSD (limited silp diff) as standard. Maybe you can find out how to identify that, or simply might be identifiable due to lack of wheelspin of a single wheel when eg. accelerating out of a corner.
Also, they should be lowered from factory I think? This car does not look like it has the sport/lowered suspension.

Post by **Sveedy** » 10 Jun 2022, 08:36

Those air intakes are what really puzzle me. Way too nice to have been owner created, and having never seen them before, I don't think they were from an aftermarket manufacture. Almost like a prototype was snuck out of the factory.
Does of course have the R front bumper. One way or the other, someone put a lot into that car.

Post by **hausmeister** » 10 Jun 2022, 08:43

From these pictures, yes, for external optics. You don't know how it looks underneath.
Intakes are probably just DIY or aftermarket bling, who knows if these are even functional.
Don't think it is an R.

I mean, if it is well taken care of and in good condition it can still be a good buy in any case, but I would not pay R money for it.

Post by **scot850** » 10 Jun 2022, 10:53

I don't believe this is a genuine car. Way too many add on parts. Stance is also too high. R and T-5R did not have twin muffler tips. There were R cars in that color but I don't believe the T-5R came in that color.

Can't see enough of the interior to tell if that is genuine. Does not look like it has wooden inserts in the center console.

I would be very careful this is a genuine car. Try asking a Volvo dealer if they would look up the Vin# for you as they should be able to tell you what that car specification was when sold.

Good luck!

Neil.

Post by **Goupil** » 10 Jun 2022, 13:39

Engine code is 50 so that's a B5234T4, afaik only the R (850/S70/V70) got this one ?
So this thing is supposedly an R despite a fair amount of mods, unless the VIN has been swapped.

Model year is 1997 (V) so T5R is out of the equation

I've seen two Pearl Blue 850R but they were wagons, first R sedan in that color that I've seen.

Post by **Sveedy** » 10 Jun 2022, 15:05

And thinking even more about it, those front vents could have been fabricated in metal, and then painted.

I wonder, if as petrol cars become " non- driveable " in Europe, if more might be exported.

Post by **abscate** » 10 Jun 2022, 16:20

We have a simpler test here in the US.

Get in our T5 and look in the ReaR view miRRoR.

You will see it there if it’s an R

Post by **Sveedy** » 10 Jun 2022, 17:43

I didn't notice the headlight " eye brows " or the one over the rear window till now. Some more pics would help.
Beginning to think some Honda camp got a hold of this at one time. But I'm still leaning toward this being an R.