Volvo 850 AWD Common rust areas?

Randomnamegenerator · Post by **Randomnamegenerator** » 09 Dec 2023, 08:18

Hello All,

I have been hunting for a Volvo 850 and found something that looks good (online at least). I will view the car soon.

Is anyone able to advise on the common rust spots for this car? I have read that the front fenders are susceptible but that's about it.

The seller mentions that there is some rust but it appears to be around the rear wheel arches(photo attached). Is this something to be scared of or likely just surface rust?

Thanks in advance

Post by **scot850** » 09 Dec 2023, 10:49

Generally they are pretty good against rust, but at this age you need to check as salt is used on roads in winter.

The common issues I have found are:

1) Rear lower edge of front fenders
2) Around the fender wheel arches where the liners tray small stones and grit (as in your picture)
3) Look under the plastic rocker/sill cover panel, particularly at the rear. They can rot unseen especially the mounts for the plastic retainers and then worse from there.
4) Just behind the rear doors at the end of the arches is probably the worst.

Thankfully you live in Germany, so your annual testing hopefully would catch some of these bigger issues.

I wish you luck finding one, we got 850 AWD's in Canada, but not in the US. They only came with manual transmissions. My former Volvo mechanic friend has one and loves it. His only complaint was running out of brakes but the bigger rotors up front and caliper brackets (don't forget the longer brake flexible hoses) helped. We then figured out the brakes for a 2000 R he found would fit so he now has vented rotors at the back. This is not a great idea as the parts are hard to get, especially the rear calipers and back plate which are NLA.

There was a replacement kit Volvo offered using P2 parts for the rear of the 2000 R which I documented several years ago with a parts list.

Good luck with your search!

I should get my friend in Germany to sell you his 98 V70R manual and the thousands of parts he has been threatening to get back on the road for about 6 years!

Neil.

Randomnamegenerator · Post by **Randomnamegenerator** » 09 Dec 2023, 12:26

Thank you for the reply Scott.

Will add you suggestions to my checklist. Hopefully the car looks as good in the "flesh" is it does online

Post by **scot850** » 09 Dec 2023, 18:28

Hopefully it is.

Neil.

Post by **abscate** » 10 Dec 2023, 04:35

P80 AWD with manual transmission...

Dear Creator,

Why can’t we have nice things here in the States?

Your Disciples

Randomnamegenerator · Post by **Randomnamegenerator** » 15 Dec 2023, 14:08

Just a follow up. It looked good but have some questions around oil leaks that I created a seperate post for.

I really liked the feel and drive and if I don't get this particular car the search will continue!