New to the Forum I am a BMW 2002 person mostly but my Wife loves Volvos. We are looking at a 850 R Auto for her in a wagon. We found one for $2,000 original owners and no accidents (they are friends and want to get a new one) but it has 140,000 miles on it. Do I need to be concerned about the mileage. Took it to a mechanic, he said everything was cool but just wanted to check with the experts first.

Thanks,
Chet

 

one update the car is and 850 R Turbo Wagon

thanks again,
Chet

 

That is a STEAL! at a 150k the motor is just being broken in..If they are properly serviced, they can go 300k ALL DAY LONG!

 

I would buy it ASAP.

 

If you don't buy, I will find out where it is, and buy it.


haha.

 

Sounds like the car is in its prime...BUY IT!!! The turbo makes it all the more fun to drive.

 

I have heard that brakes are expensive on Volvos, more specifically that the rotors need to be changed often. Is this true?
are tires on this car going to be expensive?
Also does anyone have experience with the gas mileage on these things?

I think we are going to do it
took a look at it this afternoon and I am going to call tomorrow
thanks for all the input

Chet

 

Rotors every 2 to 3 pad changes depending on the pads you use.
The tires can be had pretty cheap depending on the brand you buy. I have bought a set for mine 205/45/17's for a little over $300.00. But you might want to jump up to 215/45/17 for a better ride.

Well when I first got my Yellow one before modding I was getting about 25 city and 30 highway on a long trip.

 

Tirerack.com for inexpensive Brembo rotors, Hawk pads or Akebono pads and you're good as golden. And those aren't hard to change by yourself bro.

If you want some flash go with Royalty Rotors, which are slotted or cross drilled and slotted and Akebono pads. You won't spend much and you will have really good brakes.

Btw: I love that bodystyle of a car and would buy it in a heartbeat, especially if it was a manual tranny and not a slushbox

 

Ask if timing belt is done lately, if not you are due one at 150K. That is major thing to be done on this cars.

 

Oh yeah, tune-up is a must for any car you get over 100K. Other than a timing belt you can do the rest yourself

 

Drove the car, it was great, especially for a wagon. The timing belt was just changed at 130,000
I think we are going to go for it, thanks for all of your help

one last thing, what do you guys use on the suede for cleaning and condtioning. They are in pretty good shape but could use a little sprucing.

thanks again,
chet

 

It's not really suede (leather), it's Alcantara.
For cleaning instructions, go to www.alcantara.com.
Click "Experience".
Click "Maintainence".
On the "Maintainence/Instructions" page, you an either click:
1)at top of the page, "Ordinary maintainence" and "Stain removal"
or
2)at the right side of the page, ""complete documnt" for the pdf form.

On the car you're looking at, find out if the rear main seal has been done, and if the evaporator core has been replaced. Labor for each of those is big $, which you can save a bundle on if you do them yourself.

 

I did a little research and found that the evaporator on the air conditioner will have a tendancie to go bad. The air conditioner does not work on this car, and the technician I spoke with told me that a new one would $1600. Is this a tough job? is it possible it just needs a recharge? can I test for this?
rear main seal was replaced with the foam core seal at 130,000 and many other parts like the radiator, alternator and some other small stuff.

again thanks for all of your help, very good Forum


chet

 

Tough job? That depends on your comfort level. If you are exerienced with A/C work and comfortable removing the dash and working with airbags it's really not that bad. The potential for mistakes and damage can be high though. I often have to plasti-weld the mounting tabs back onto the dashboard while it's out. Aftermarket evaporators can be a pain to re-align with the lines on the other side of the firewall, and often times the low side line is frozen to the accumulator and has to be heated up or the bung has to be cut off. If you can find someone who works on Volvos and is willing to do this on the side I would say go for it, you don't need a lift for the job so it can be done in a driveway or garage.

 

I would just get a suede brush and brush the nap. That will clean it up some. Make sure not to use anything with soap, as it will dry the leather and eventually crack! Here's a link for some really good suede cleaner. http://www.bickmore.com/bickmore/Lea...ckCleaner.html

 

The "suede" is not leather (see my post a few posts up)!
Don't use leather cleaner on this "suede"!

 

Thank you for all of your help
the car is being inspected by the mechanic again to see whats up with the A/C
after that I hope that my better half will have a new wagon

Chet

 

If you have not purchased the car yet, I am willing to look at it and let you know what I think. I have owned Volvo's since 1987 and can give you a good ideal if it's a good buy or not.

Please know when I check it out, I will likely have enough cash on me to take care of your concerns, by purchasing it myself. :-)

140,000 on an 850 is not a "BUT". I have met people with over 500,000 on their 850's. Servicing is the key and if they current owners have had the car serviced to the tune of 1/2 of the recommendations you are getting a deal (as long as the car is not trashed out). Make sure the timing belt has been replace, if not have it done yourself.

When was it determined that the evaporator was bad? Have a A/C mechanic check it. It is likely low on freon and probably leaks. Volvo A/C compressors suck IMO. I had my A/C system flushed, and a used compressor installed for about $600. A/C is a must for me.