Volvo 850 - Information request

[theorganist]

Hi,

 

There is a N registration Volvo 850 2.5cc on Retrorides atm for £250. It has some MOT (not sure how long), the Cambelt was done a few years back and it is on a SORN.

 

It seems extremely cheap for what is quite a lot of car!!

 

I know very little about these, are they any good? What problems could be in store?

 

Thanks,

Peter.

[Pete-M]

If It's a manual beware of dodgy breather systems. Get the thing warm, take it for a spin and when you get back leave it running. Pull the dipstick up, if it smokes like a chimney the breathers are blocked - this more often than not pops the crank oil seal and buggers the clutch.

 

Handbrake shoes can be a bit weird.

 

Aircon is a must in 'em in hot weather.

 

Electric seat cables can snap, adjusting the backrest is then a disaster - it'll lean to one side.

 

Hope it's got the Volvo Premium stereo - they're rather bloody good.

[theorganist]

Cheers for that info. Yes it is a manual.

[Volksy]

As Pete said, also valves can stick open, leading to lack of compression, make sure the oil is changed regularly with good quality oil. The 5 pot engine is great, if a little on the thirsty side.

 

I've had a 2.0 20v 850, and currently have a S70 2.5T. They are quite dependable buses, parts are not ridiculous prices either.

 

Glovebox catches break, and the tailgate trim is generally hanging off on estates.

[KruJoe]

Can't find this one after scanning the first few RR pages but meh...

Please buy scooters's freshly fettled 850 AWD to make me feel less bad about having to let him down after (almost) promising I'd have it.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=10938&p=277397#p277397

 

I also have a Thai assembled 850 2.3 20v on LPG in SE Asia.. It's a super comfy kilometer cruncher, though the cooling system is slightly fragile.

[Lankytim]

That Volvo looks pretty good- I think its got C70 alloys on it too.

 

Its massively cheap... a bit too cheap? A neglected one can be a real money pit. A pal of mine has not long bought a V70- T5 with a short MOT and it needs stacks of new bushes, top mounts e.t.c so he is now having to break it. It cost alot more than this too!

 

That said for that money you cant really go far wrong. If it turns out to be a nail then break it up and scrap it- you should get a bit of a profit back.

[KruJoe]

Linky?

Still can't find it! I feel like a complete nob tonight.

Anyhoo... if you do buy it and end up breaking it - or selling at scrap coin, remember me, I need some bits, especially if it's beige/cream inside.

[theorganist]

Thanks for you input guys.

 

It is in the "budget motoring" sub forum at the top of the for sale/wanted.

 

Here is the link:

 

http://retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=bugmot&action=display&thread=100355

[Lankytim]

Its been scrapped!

 

TBH I'm not convinced that any 850 thats gone over the bridge rather than found a home could have been any good. Any decent Volvo 850/V70 estate in reasonable condition will find a buyer no problem, especially for that money!