1996 Volvo 850 T5 R confusion Topic is solved

[MadeInJapan]

If it's yellow, it's rare/valuable.

But I do think that the Yellow was really only available in model year 1995. The "T" designation in his VIN does make his a '96 model year. There were some apparently that still called this model year high pressure turbo's (the B5234T engine) a T5-R when Volvo really called it an R- still the top of the line for that time period!

[Dart0366]

RE:YV1LW5827T2221239

Thank you for contacting Volvo.

The vehicle identification number reflects a 1996 850 T5 R.

Volvo Customer Care has updated our database to reflect your ownership.

Additionally, a search of your vehicle identification number shows the following open service campaign for your vehicle:

                          SERVICE CAMPAIGN 140 INCOMPLETE

Please visit :Southern Oregon Volvo, 3103 Biddle Road Medford, OR 97504 Phone: (541) 245-2001
to have the service completed at no charge.

We wish you many safe driving miles.

Sincerely,
Eve
Volvo Customer Care

That is the email from Volvo. I get its supposed to be an 850 R.... But it says T5 R and as you can see so does Volvo.

No its not yellow its Volvo Red. Matches Vin plate as well

[erikv11]

There is no T5 R in 1996, that is just called "R." No mistake in one email will change that.

[rspi]

It is a '96 wagon according to AutoCheck.com. It will either be white, black, or red. Not a real big deal, depending on condition. I have purchased an 850 R in the recent past for $285.

[rspi]

The vehicle has the T5 engine, and the trim level is R ('96 & '97). The '95 models have T-5R on the back of the car, as well as the motor sport badge.

[850 LPT]

and the GLT (a low pressure turbo) was added in '95.

I realize this has nothing to do with this thread and it is a minor detail, but to my knowledge the 850 GLT with LPT engine was only available in 97, not from 95 on.

[Dart0366]

The car has the correct badging and it was not just one email to Volvo but two. They assure me their records say a 96 850 T5 R I was worried that maybe someone just got it wrong like you suggested. So the factory records are wrong? Not being argumentative just wonder how often that happens? Since I know very little about this is the reason to come here and see if I can get to the bottom of this. I started with the factory since I figured that would be the most reliable.

Lucas

[erikv11]

Sure I hear ya, not being argumentative either, happy to discuss. And I'm not an expert on the minutiae but it is pretty simple what distinguishes a T-5R from other 850 R models: the year.

I expect there is confusion about Volvo's reply that boils down to semantics. See Robert's point: the 1996 car is a T5 with R trim level, hence the email says "1996 T5 R." A "regular" 1996 turbo 850 will be described as "1996 T5" as it has the T5 engine. Every turbo 850 made in 1996 is a T5. Same for every turbo 850 in 1997, and every HPT x70 in 1998.

My guess is that if you sent Volvo the VIN from a 1995 R, they will either tell you
(1) it is a "1995 T5-R" or something similar that distinguishes it from a 96.
or
(2) it is a "1995 T5 R" in which case I would further infer that all 850 R models are "199x T5 R" models. In other words, a 97 R is "1997 T5 R" etc.

Want to try it? Here's a 95 R VIN: YV1LS5815S2239160. Would be great to have another 96 R VIN that about which there is no confusion, and a straight 96 turbo, interesting to see how Volvo describes them in 2016.

But no matter how Volvo reports it, 1995 R was the first year they made the R, and in 95 it only came in certain colors and with certain seats that changed in 1996, etc. Unless the car in question is actually a 95, it didn't leave the factory with the combination of components that make it a T-5R. Really good history about the T-5R at a newer web site here: http://www.volvo850t-5r.com/, also some good stuff here at a site that has been around for a while http://www.volvotips.com/index.php/850-2/t-5r-and-850r/.

[MadeInJapan]

and the GLT (a low pressure turbo) was added in '95.

I realize this has nothing to do with this thread and it is a minor detail, but to my knowledge the 850 GLT with LPT engine was only available in 97, not from 95 on.

True for the U.S., but not for the European market or the rest of the world. I originally put '97 in my post but wiki showed differently, then I checked... Just saying- not that big a deal but in the U.S., we all know that there were no low pressure turbos on the 850 prior to '97.

[polskamafia mjl]

I think erikv11 has hit upon the most likely explanation.