<FONT face="Courier New">Hi. My name is Randy, I live in San Antonio, Texas, and I've bought
my very first Volvo (2 weeks this Thursday). It is a 1995 850 GLT
(like you couldn't tell that from my ID, right?) 2.4 Litre Sedan,
colour being white (perfect to reflect the hot Texas summer sun). I
am the 2nd owner of the car, it has 165k miles on it, with a new
transmission installed this past December, and so far I like it very
much. I plan to (first) pay it off as quickly as possible, then I
would like to dress it up a bit with items such as a rear spoiler
(front spoiler w/fog lights as well if I can), an air deflector for
the sunroof, and a nose cover (bra?). I'm interested in adding
those headlight wipers as well, but don't know if they are available
in my year model. At the moment, I'm happy with the stock rims, so
no change there. The local Volvo dealer's parts dept. tells me that
they also have some items that go on the rear deck window and rear
door windows to help deflect sun and heat, but I don't recall what
they are called. I'm not sure I want to have the windows tinted
just yet, or at all for that matter. At most, I'm thinking just the
side windows. I would like to maybe change out the back bumper at
some time, as the black trim (paint or rubber?) has faded. Also the
black trim on the sides of the roof that go from the front window to
the rear window are 'chipping' off in pieces, so I would like to get
that fixed/patched/repaired/replaced.

Performance wise, all I'm considering right now is a K&amp;N air
filter. I was told that I should stick with a stock Volvo oil
filter, because they have a valve in them that keeps oil on top of
the engine. That sounds like good engineering to me, but I'd like
to hear comments on this and info on any performance oil filters
that have this same feature. I want to protect this engine as much
as possible. I do run high octane premium un-leaded gas through it.

So far, the only concern I have is a noise I hear after the car is
first started and I am first starting down the road at low speed.
The only way I can describe it is that it is somewhere between
a "click" and a "clunk", and it only does it once. Is this a
problem, or just a Volvo "thing"?

Well, I guess that's all I can think of for now.

Thanks, Randy</FONT>

 

Welcome Randy. *waves* We hope you like this forum and "keep coming bacK".
It seems we have the same car, but mine is tan/ gold (depending on which cop writes the ticket- LOL)
Anyway, I would like to let you know of a few sites for exterior stuff that I have used and/ or been to, that may help you:

www.ipdusa.com---&gt; almost everything, to include moonroof deflector and bra
www.andysautosport.com ---&gt; bodykits (maybe for a '95, i dont remember)
www.erebunicorp.com ---&gt; bodykits, rear spoiler
www.ebay.com ---&gt; some good things
www.volvospeed.com ---&gt; has GOOD stuff for car and some good professional advice and mechanical FAQ's.

I think you can put '93 headlight wipers on, but the wiring I dont know how that would hook up...***if any one reading this knows please let us know***
So maybe look in junkyards for the wiper motors.

More then likly that "part" the dealer is trying to sell you may be availible cheaper at a parts store or online, I would look around.

The black trim ALL of it around the bumpers and side, to include the top of the roof, may be painted. I know "IPD.com" has the spraypaint that "wont fade".

Well I hope this helped you, sorry it has come a few days after you posted it, but I am in the desert (from Ft Hood) and dont always have internet access. Good Luck.

MIke

 

Hey Randy, I'm new here too, but definetly not new to Volvo.

That sound between a click and a clunk is the ABS calibrating itself, so nothing to worry about. It sounds like you got a nice car. Congratulations on purchasing your first Volvo!