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New 850R owner

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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tonyd555
Posts: 11
Joined: 11 October 2017
Year and Model: 2005 S40 T5 AWD
Location: Abbotsford, BC
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New 850R owner

Post by tonyd555 »

Hey guys, long time lurker on here (We own an 04 S60), thought I would share my story on the 850R I bought yesterday. I'm a Saab guy and have been looking for another Saab for a few months now. I stumbled upon an 850R advertised on my local CL (I'm in Abbotsford, BC). Seller described the car as needing 'tranny work' and a tune up. When I went to look at the car, I discovered it had a very small transmission fluid leak. PCV needs replacement, speedo had stopped working a while back (of course), windshield cracked, ABS/Tracs light on. Pretty much what I expected to find. Car has somewhere around 350000 kms on it, timing belt done in 2014. But the interior is in great shape, Volans also and the front lip is good. The seller was listing it for his mother in law who had just bought a brand new Mazda. They threw in 16in snow tires on Columba rims as well. I had it towed back to my house (about 20kms). Guys, I paid $500 CDN. I don't think the sellers had any idea what they had, they just wanted it gone. I'm ready to giver her the TLC she deserves. I'll post regular updates and pics as things progress. Wish me luck!
850 #2.jpg
Last edited by tonyd555 on 13 Apr 2018, 14:56, edited 1 time in total.

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Clemens
Posts: 1932
Joined: 3 September 2015
Year and Model: 96 855 R + 94 855 T5
Location: Austria
Has thanked: 473 times
Been thanked: 219 times

Post by Clemens »

Enjoy the pricetag on this beauty! You're going to dump a few grand into her on the path to stage 0, but IMO it's worth it...
Summer: 1996 855 R
Winter: 1994 855 T5M
Donor: 1995 854 10V

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erikv11
Posts: 11800
Joined: 25 July 2009
Year and Model: 850, V70, S60R, XC70
Location: Iowa
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Post by erikv11 »

Fantastic car, fantastic buy, I agree totally worth it. I look forward to hearing more!
'95 854 T-5R, Motronic 4.4, 185k
'98 V70, T5 tune-injectors-turbo, LPT engine, 304k, daily driver
'06 S60 R, 197k
'07 XC70, black, 205k
'07 XC70, willow green, 212k
'99 Camry V6 :shock: 153k
gone: '96 NA 850 210k, '98 NA V70 182k, '98 S70 NA 225k, '96 855 NA 169k

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FLXC90
Posts: 1132
Joined: 18 August 2014
Year and Model: 98 V70 T5
Location: Florida Panhandle
Has thanked: 16 times
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Post by FLXC90 »

Suhweeet
Current Volvos:
1998 V70 T5, 112k sat 5 years, still in mechanical coma (finally at the top of the pile )
2004 XC90 T6 AWD: 186k, 60 on transaxle ( traded in )
1998 POS70 N/A: DD/training aid, 236k but really about 240k, I think...ABS module( passed on to son who sold it)

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matthew1
Site Admin
Posts: 14460
Joined: 14 September 2002
Year and Model: 850 T5, 1997
Location: Denver, Colorado, US
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Post by matthew1 »

Welcome to MVS... and oh my that's nice. The front spoiler being together is a wonder. Smart buy.
Help keep MVS on the web -> click sponsors' links here on MVS when you buy from them.

Also -> Amazon link
. Click that when you go to buy something on Amazon and MVS gets a cut!

1998 V70, no dash lights on

1997 850 T5 [gone] w/ MSD ignition coil, Hallman manual boost controller, injectors, R bumper, OMP strut brace

2004 V70 R [gone]

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wizechatmgr
Posts: 1798
Joined: 12 January 2017
Year and Model: 1999 V70 XC AWD 2.4T
Location: Albany, NY area
Has thanked: 45 times
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Post by wizechatmgr »

Great find... =)
Wisdom requires knowledge as a prerequisite, but knowledge can be developed due to a lack of wisdom.
In order to learn how to fix something, you must first learn how to break it.
1999 V70 XC AWD 2.4 T -- ~231k miles
1998 V70 2.4 NA -- ~184k miles

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callahanoffroad
Posts: 437
Joined: 30 June 2014
Year and Model: 1995 850
Location: St. Louis Missouri
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Post by callahanoffroad »

I passed on an 850r wagon and bought my first na Volvo instead. I regret it every day. That's my favorite Volvo color too! Great find!
Author, Chef, and Shade Tree Mechanic

1995 Volvo 850, Non-Turbo, VVIS, LH FI, Green, 215,000 miles. B5254FS engine. Herman. viewtopic.php?f=1&t=84393

1996 Volvo 850, died at 280,000

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tonyd555
Posts: 11
Joined: 11 October 2017
Year and Model: 2005 S40 T5 AWD
Location: Abbotsford, BC
Has thanked: 3 times

Post by tonyd555 »

So, quick update, ordered the PCV kit from my local Volvo dealer, they don't sell the 'kit' but the parts guy ordered all the pieces separately and the price was very reasonable. I have a friend from my Saab days who is a mechanic and did the PCV on his parents 850 turbo, he's coming over to help with that. Spark plugs ordered at the same time. Brake kit and heater core on the way and the ABS module will be pulled, ready to be mailed to Midwest ABS. Few more parts still to get and work can begin!

tonyd555
Posts: 11
Joined: 11 October 2017
Year and Model: 2005 S40 T5 AWD
Location: Abbotsford, BC
Has thanked: 3 times

Post by tonyd555 »

Progress! New pads and rotors installed, system bled. Rear pads were basically metal on metal. PCV kit installed, new Volvo Spark Plugs (will also change the wires) and ABS module installed. Thermostat replaced along with coolant expansion tank and hoses. Rad hoses also done. Will flush the system this week and replace coolant and will give her some fresh Mobil One full synthetic. Heater Core replaced this weekend, it was a pain to do as I had the Amp in the way. The original heater core was still in place. Will have to replace the drivers side carpet as the leaked coolant had made quite a mess. Luckily my local Pickapart has three 850s and two V70s. Pic of original heater core stamped from late 1995.
IMG_0427.JPG

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rspi
Posts: 7303
Joined: 5 November 2011
Year and Model: 850 T-5R Wagon
Location: Cincinnati OH
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Post by rspi »

Good work.
'95 855 T-5R M, Panther - 22/28 mpg, 546,000 miles
'95 955 T-5R Yellow Wagon, Lemonade, 180,000 miles
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Volvo's of past: '87 740 GLE, '79 262C Bertone, '78 264, 960's, '98 S70 GLT, '95 850 T-5R YellowVolvo Repair Videos

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