Volvo 850: A Block of Butter.

[Conan]

Recently I've sold my 4A-GE Corolla to a close friend so even though it is not mine anymore I still get to see it regularly. I've had my fun but it's always lacking something, I just don't think it's adequate anymore.

 

There was a car that I've wanted for a long time. I went and looked at 5 of them (over the course of 4 years) yet every time something happened that was out of my control and I didn't get to realised my dream.

 

This 6th example, however, is the one. I put a deposit down 2 weeks ago and today I'm picking it up.

 

It also appears to be more than what I bargained for in some regard...

 

Hint.

- Front wheel drive, torsion beam suspension. Cheap and cheerful.

- 3rd smallest model from the brand at the time. It was the youthful and affordable option.

- It doesn't really do incognito. Only blind people wouldn't notice it.

[Cavcraft]

Good luck, look forward to the photographs!

[paulplom]

Is it Japanese?

[Conan]

Just now, paulplom said:

Is it Japanese?

 

Chariot for the day is.

 

 

@hairnet remember this car? ?

 

Poo count: 1

[Split_Pin]

Torsion beam suspension, 3rd smallest model in the range at the time and not inconspicuous. Is it a yellow Renault Megane Coupe with a 2 litre engine?

I'll hate you if it is because I will be insanely jealous!

[Conan]

Just now, Split_Pin said:

a yellow Renault Megane Coupe with a 2 litre engine?

 

You're correct on one of those counts.

[andy18s]

306 Xsi/Gtii6 ?

[Conan]

2 minutes ago, andy18s said:

306 Xsi/Gtii6 ?

I nearly bought an S16 once! ?

[GeordieInExile]

5 hours ago, andy18s said:

306 Xsi/Gtii6 ?

There's been a S1 XSi on C&C for ages. Good shout.

[Conan]

Collected! Home and absolutely knackered. 2 hours to do 50km. This is what it's like living in Bangkok.

 

It's already dark so this will be the only picture for now.

 

 

The drive home was glorious. I think the previous owner was a fan of Minion though that's why it's painted yellow I dunno.

[brownnova]

That’s eye catching! 

[Conan]

Just to be clear to anyone questioning about it's authenticity. I will not tolerate that kind of thinking in my thread. As far as I'm concerned it identifies as a T-5R. Even the badge says so.

 

[Grumblespeed]

Hope you don't lose a little rectangle of yellow paint when your replacement badges turn up?

[hairnet]

8 hours ago, Conan said:

 

Chariot for the day is.

 

 

@hairnet remember this car? ?

 

Poo count: 1

Auto taxi

[hairnet]

Can I say I guessed this about a week ago

not this yellow tho

[jaypee]

3 hours ago, Conan said:

Just to be clear to anyone questioning about it's authenticity. I will not tolerate that kind of thinking in my thread. As far as I'm concerned it identifies as a T-5R. Even the badge says so.

 

I'm convinced! ? #legit

[hairnet]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-VOLVO-T5-BADGE-EMBLEM-850-S70-V70-C70/363056308893?fits=Car+Make%3AVolvo|Model%3A850&epid=11024446695&hash=item5487d7a29d:g:vIEAAMXQ2UVQ6crg

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-VOLVO-R-BADGE-EMBLEM-850-S70-V70-C70/293595911390?fits=Car+Make%3AVolvo|Model%3A850&hash=item445bae14de:g:teoAAMXQ2UVQ6cp2

 

[Conan]

So now that the dust have settled, what have I actually bought?

 

 

 

It's a Volvo 850 GLE. This means that it was the base of the base. N/A and very little option comparative to other more affluent model. But it still got climate control, central locking, electric seats, airbag and many more.

 

But that's besides the point now because it hasn't really been a GLE for years. Especially now that the engine is from a T-5 Turbo model.

 

The T-5R model really is more like an appearance package than a real special edition anyway. The only difference between T-5 and T-5R is the paint, the bodykit, the wheels, some nice interior bits, slight update to ECU programming, and sports suspension. Nearly all of which this car have received sometime in it's past. At this point the car provides just about the same experience as a real one would.

 

Not that I give a fuck to any of that, the fact is, I bought this one because I wanted a Volvo 850 Turbo. I've wanted one for about a decade and has been looking for one for years now. I've went and look at 5 over the years, nearly bought 3 of them, yet every time something else happened that I couldn't make it a reality. This 6th example, however, is the one I finally get to realised my affordable dream. The reason I bought this one specifically is partly because of what I've said, I missed a lot of chance to get one before. 

 

I also have to point out that I did not go out and specifically looking for an R replica. It just happens that the best condition, most reasonably priced Volvo 850 Turbo for sale is one. But most of the ones that are like that is that way anyway, obviously, because people who would go to the trouble of painting an old Volvo in Minion colour would take care of their car.

 

Usual suspect to Volvo 850, interior trim bits falling apart, electrical gremlins, fragile gearbox. I'll be expecting all of these stuff. Even if this one is in nice shape, it has trim rattle and Lambda light is on. Just like all of them do. And dynamically it's not great either. Front end push and stiff ride. But the engine note is GLORIOUS and perhaps is the only reason I've wanted one of these for a long time. ?

 

I still can't stop grinning. It's everything I expected it to be. It's an old Volvo. But it's YELLOW and it goes BRRRRR.

[Lacquer Peel]

It looks good! Is it a 2.5 20v?

The rear suspension isn't torsion beam, it's quite a clever semi-independent setup with passive rear steering. 

 

 

[Tetleysmooth]

Gul yellow I believe. One of the standard R colours. If somebody else has said this before, apologies.

[Rod/b]

This is FUCKING GLORIOUS and the Autoshite sticker makes it all the better. 

[Conan]

11 minutes ago, Lacquer Peel said:

It looks good! Is it a 2.5 20v?

The rear suspension isn't torsion beam, it's quite a clever semi-independent setup with passive rear steering. 

 

I'm not quite sure if it's an AWD 2.4 or later 2.5. Goes like stink is what I know. I apologise for considering any rear suspension system where I can just replace fewer than 8 bushings to be Torsion Beam. ?

 

Also. Pez shot.

 

 

But hey. There's more.

 

 

Gas shot. FUEL OF THE FUTURE.

[Lacquer Peel]

Actually reviewing Volvo's own literature they say it's similar to a twist beam axle so you're not wrong. It's not a typical torsion/twist beam setup though.

I dread having to change the bushes on my S70, it looks like a pig of a job. 

Hang on, it's LPG powered? Even more of a winner wagon. 

[Conan]

35-litre donut spare wheel well tank. Practicality is still king. ?

 

And it's currently using 20% ethanol fuel just to complete the alternative fuel solution bingo.

[bunglebus]

One of the greatest cars of the 90s IMO. Still wood today. Always remember the magazine cover with it smoking the hides, proper hooligan car and a total change from Volvo's previous image

[sutty2006]

Love these 850s. Have a picture of 3 T5Rs in a dodgy dealers converted car park garage in the north west. 

[Rod/b]

Is the one in the middle a scale model? 

[GeordieInExile]

Superb. Better not let my bog standard T5 catch me looking at this!

[sutty2006]

2 hours ago, Rod/b said:

Is the one in the middle a scale model? 

Photo angles innit. It comes up as an 850, so might not be a T5R? Reg on left is unknown. Reg on right is invisible... 

[NorfolkNWeigh]

18 minutes ago, sutty2006 said:

Photo angles innit. It comes up as an 850, so might not be a T5R? Reg on left is unknown. Reg on right is invisible... 

That’s because those dodgy Motorcunt bastards haven’t found any suitable logbooks yet.