What's fair price for a clean 2001 t5 wagon, ~ 140k miles?

Post by **JimBee** » 03 Apr 2019, 12:58

Also, upgrading from a 96 850 what surprises, repairs would be likely? New things to learn?

Post by **Clemens** » 03 Apr 2019, 13:41

The tranny could be troublesome if AT.
The ride quality is better because of a wider track and things.
The interior quality feels nibbly bibbly compared to the 850.
I test drove, got back in the 850 and stuck with it.
Most people love them.

P.S.: 04 and later models are said to have better electronics. In the early P26 years, they soldered worse than on the 96 ABS modules.

tardcart · Post by **tardcart** » 03 Apr 2019, 15:06

you will have to learn to live with the ugly front sidelights. does that year have the hips? thats tough to love. only a mother...

Post by **JimBee** » 03 Apr 2019, 16:46

Thanks for the feedback. I guess they're getting rid of it for a reason. I have to admit though, it is photogenic.

The one thing I can't get right on my 2 '96 850's is the suspension. I've tried 3 different brands of rear shocks they all bang on road cracks, asphalt pythons, edges of bridge decks, etc. Brands tried: Gabriel Ultras, Sachs Touring, KYB gas shocks (newish looking pulled from a 98 V70). I bought a set of Bilsteins but bench testing them they felt the same resistance-wise to all the others, so I returned them unused.

The cars sit level, so the springs don't seem to be shot, but even if they were, wouldn't the correct shock absorber soften the wheel lift. I don't think the springs are bottoming; it feels like they're just hitting the rise or edge of broken pavement really hard—like there's sticks of 2x4's instead of the shocks. I also have a 93, it's the same as the others. I haven't done the end links, at around 200k on all 3, they could use replacement, but they're not falling apart. I've read a couple of posts on MVS where guys replaced them and it didn't make the ride any smoother so I'm not eager to go through that for no gain.

Post by **abscate** » 03 Apr 2019, 17:31

If the AT shifts smoothly and the neutral stop software was removed its a great car at $1500

I like the P2 styling more than the P80, the ride is better and the interior much better made

Post by **misha** » 03 Apr 2019, 17:34

What tyres you have on the car...dimensions?
Maybe they are too old or overinflated?

tardcart · Post by **tardcart** » 03 Apr 2019, 17:44

obviating the obvious like crappy tires, bad wheel bearing. broken spring, broken stabilizer, its what your think it is, the trailing arm end Links.

Post by **JimBee** » 03 Apr 2019, 18:28

Seller wants $2900.
Neutral stop software? How would I know if it has or doesn't have it?

Also, re the endlinks: if they're not loose, not decrepit and move freely I don't understand how the rising wheel banging over a hard edge of something acts like it's not at all dampened by the shock absorber. Maybe somebody can explain the subtle physics involved there, like transfer of forces. I'm not intuiting that.

BTW: tires are all good, sized at spec., 195-65-15's on the base, 205-55 for 16" Columba's on the turbo wagon. Lower pressure doesn't seem to make a difference. No broken parts in the suspensions front or back. I run about 32 psi but even if they've lost a few pounds it doesn't seem to help the ride.

Post by **GlennG2759** » 03 Apr 2019, 18:42

Endlinks, made a world of difference to my 850. Not that bad of a job, I used Scan Tech, 5K so far so good.

Post by **abscate** » 03 Apr 2019, 18:46

It should be a cream puff at $3k

The stop neutral software drops the AT into neutral when you brake to a stop, then re engagesDrive when you start again. You ll Hear the thunk on a stop.