850 Versus S70

Post by **dosbricks** » 10 Jun 2014, 18:09

I like the updated styling of the 70. I feel lucky we snagged a '98 because it's mechanically the same as the my 850 which allows for transfer of repair experience. The ride feels more refined on the S70, but that's likely due to my 850 being a wagon. Just about everything on the 850 interior has proven more durable.

Congratulations on two nice specimens.

Post by **mecheng** » 10 Jun 2014, 18:24

Cowl on S70 I measured to be almost 2" deeper reducing visibility, doesn't sound like much but it is.
The power door locks on the 850 work much better: quicker and never retract partially

Post by **taxi** » 11 Jun 2014, 01:31

Door locks! I forgot about that, I was worried at first that they were about to break. But I understand that they are supposed to sound slow and sluggish? Compared to 850 that is?

Post by **JRL** » 11 Jun 2014, 05:59

I have owned, bought and sold probably over 300 8/70 cars.... all models
You get onto most any other car made and if they're apples to apples they usually feel and drive about the same.....NOT Volvo.
I don't think I've ever had two Volvos feel and drive the same even though they were serviced similarly, had the approx same mileage, tires, etc.
It's actually amazing the differences in two cars that one would think would be/SHOULD BE, about the same can be so different.
I've had 850s that were literally low mileage junk piles of crap, then I had my 850R which may have tied with my other favorite P80 of all time (my very low mileage 2000 V70R) in all areas!

Post by **mecheng** » 11 Jun 2014, 06:26

taxi wrote:My first shock when switching from -97 850 to -00 V70 was also the steering! Night and day difference!
The next thing was the feel and sound of the engine, the 850 was by far more "sporty", and therefore more fun, as the V70 is a little more dignified. The VVT I guess is responsible for the power available in lower RPM:s, making it more a everyday car which is more pleasant to drive, I guess.

If the steering mechanism is the same it would be hard to believe; yes they feel completely different.

Post by **jblackburn** » 11 Jun 2014, 07:07

The power in the T5 is simply not usable in daily driving.

So true.

And yes, the 850 T5/Turbo models spool a little earlier than the 98 S70 T5, and 99/2000's are a little better than the 98.

I love the powerband of LPT engines though.

Post by **erikv11** » 11 Jun 2014, 07:17

My 98 V70 has an LPT engine with the 850's 15g turbo swapped in ... it's a great way to go!

Rbaratt · Post by **Rbaratt** » 11 Jun 2014, 08:42

I have to agree that the doors on the 850 sound more solid and can handle a bit more "heft" when shutting them as compared to the S70. When passengers get in my S70 they always seem to slam the doors with more force than they need.

Post by **mecheng** » 11 Jun 2014, 12:35

jblackburn wrote:
The power in the T5 is simply not usable in daily driving.
So true.

And yes, the 850 T5/Turbo models spool a little earlier than the 98 S70 T5, and 99/2000's are a little better than the 98.

I love the powerband of LPT engines though.

The T5 is a great car to drive at night when the roads are empty. On ramp to highway acceleration: insane! You have to let off the pedal, it starts to pull like a freight train. Whereas the LPT seems to suffer at higher rpm

Post by **jblackburn** » 11 Jun 2014, 12:51

mecheng wrote:The T5 is a great car to drive at night when the roads are empty. On ramp to highway acceleration: insane! You have to let off the pedal, it starts to pull like a freight train. Whereas the LPT seems to suffer at higher rpm

It is. The T5 was a great "driving road" car.

It was absolutely useless in heavy city traffic, especially when you need to quickly dart out...you'll nearly be run over before the turbo spools.

850 Versus S70

Re: 850 Versus S70