I'm looking into my friends 850r that he is selling because hes leaving for school. It has been well maintained and he only uses 91octane and synthetic oil every 3k miles. I was just wondering how these r engines hold up in comparison to all the other 850 engines, and if well maintained how many miles do they generally get? He also put in a new performance chip, and straight piped it. Those are the only mods. Sorry if this has already been asked, i couldnt find it.

 

Greetings,

In general, as long as the car is well-maintained, 850 turbos (R, T5 &T5-R)are extremely durable and are known to serve 200,000 and even above 300,000 miles (regular fluid & filter change and scheduled maintenance must be followed to achieve these numbers, however. Even a Lexus (Toyota) falls apart only within 100,000 miles if proper care is not taken).

However, even though 850Rs (or any models of 850s)are extremely durable, some electronic problems are unavoidable, as well as some mechanical components (O2 sensor failure, other engine input codes that really doesn't affect performance, A/C is known to go down after certain age is reached, ABS module is guaranteed to fail, etc...), as well as some mechanical parts deteriorations (front suspension upper springs, brake components, etc... just like any other cars).

Here's a reference that may be of some use for you to get a rough idea of what's to be expected:

https://volvoforums.com/m_48928/tm.htm

Most importantly, the timing belt & some related components (tensioners, pulleys, etc...) MUST be replaced at every 70,000 miles/5 years whichever reaches first (for '93 models, the mileage requirement is 60,000 miles). This is probably the largest weakness of 850s. But as long as the belt is replaced at certain intervals by reputable hands, it shouldn't break any sooner than that (lab tests at Japanese makes show that timing belts last over 125,000 miles but the mfg's recommended intervals MUST be followed).

I hope this is some reference to you.


JPN

P.S: Agentleman by the name of Mr. "JimKW" could tell you even a lot more about 850Rs than anyone else could; I consider Jim as Ph.D in 850R and T5-Rs.

[IMG]local://upfiles/6892/8E7F5EBE23C445F7812A32CCE17D0B1C.jpg[/IMG]

 

PHD = Piled Higher and Deeeper. Does that mean I'm full of it?

Basically all the 850's and S/V70's use the same engine. The R is not going to be any more or any less realiable than any of the other 850's. If you can get an R for a reasonable price, that is the one to buy. Espeically one that has been well taken care of.

What year is it? What color is it, both interior and exterior? I really like the looks of my white with black interior. In 95 the R was really the T5R and only came in yellow and black. In 96 and 97 the T5R became the R and the Turbo became the T5. The 850 R came in several more colors and yellow was gone. There were only 185 yellow T5R's imported to the US. White with black interior is also hard to find, but don't know the exact number produced. In 96 they made and orangeish red one that is real hard to find.

 

↑LOL. No offense Jim, I have utmost respect for you & Tech (as well as all other helpful members) in the entire forum.


JPN

 

Thanks a lot guys, really helpful. I'm still waiting on some of the details about it, but would i be alright just bringing it to a local mechanic to get it checked out, or should i bring it to a volvo dealership?

 

Got some more info on it. 96 with 150,000 miles, basically one owner. Black with beige interior. 4600 dollars.

 

Good evening,

>Got some more info on it. 96 with 150,000 miles, basically one owner. Black with beige interior. 4600 dollars.

Fair deal, as far as I'm concerned but wait till you hear what Jim thinks.

>but would i be alright just bringing it to a local mechanic to get it checked out, or should i bring it to a volvo dealership?

A dealer is definitely better, but if you know a shop that specialises in Swedish/European makes, it should be just as good and you may save some $. Does the car have a maintenance record? If so, check to see when the timing belt was replaced, if at all. If not, have a technician inspect the belt. It should have been replaced at least once, and it is overdue for the 2nd, if not done yet.

Again, Jim would be your mentor in this case.


JPN

 

That's high. And one thing about the '96 is that the ABS unit will definetely fail which is a 100-200 dollar repair (if you do ti yourself).

For reference, I got my Turbo for 3500 w/ 124k miles. And even then I overpaid.

Imo, 4k at the most.

Check the online websites such as KBB and see what they think it's worth.

Edit: And mods don't exactly increase value. There are very very few mods that will increase his car's selling price, and a chip/exhaust would not be it. In fact, it'd probably scare away more owners..
Imo, 4000 is very fair.

 

KBB has it at 5600 for good condition, which i believe it is in. I plan on getting some more info on the maintenance tonight. I also might just replace timing belt if hes not sure, as its definatly worth it. I know he paid 4200 for it less then 3k miles ago, then added a performance chip and custom exhaust, so im thinking getting it around 4500, should be fair if everything checks out right. Thanks for all the help guys, great forum, and keep it commin.

 

^Since he's a buddy. Whatever you think is a fair price.

Don't get me wrong. 4500 isn't a bad price. I just think you could probably do better (if it were another private seller).

Make sure that Timing belt has been changed recently, or you get it changed immediately after you buy it.
The ABS unit is also guarunteed to fail. I don't know if you'd want to send it in and get it fixed as a preventative measure or if you just want to wait until it fails.

Just be warned, that once you take out your ABS, you'll be running around w/o a Speedo.

 

I think $4,600 is a very good price. I would not pay that for a T5, but for an 850 R in a minute.Especially one you are familiar with and know your friend is not ripping you off. Go for it! But I would stilll have somebody that knows Volvos do a pre-purchase inspection for around $60. The timing belt should have been done at 140K, and if it hasn't do it now. If it was done at 140K, you're set. See if the evaporator has been replaced. If not be ready to replace it soon, and that's about $1500 at the dealer. Almost all the cost is in labor.

 

Definatly plan on getting it inspected first, since my friend doesnt know much about cars. For the evaporator, would i be alright letting that go then replacing it, or should i just replace it as a precautionary measure, assuming it hasnt been done.

 

If the A/C is still working, wait until it absolutely fails (no longer holds R134a charge). You want to get most out of the OEM evaporator. When it's time to replace it, go with an aftermarket unit. Jim told us that OEM was of poor quality and I believe it was. When you replace the evaporator, I would also replace the receiver/dryer unit, but see what Jim thinks.

Make sure to change fluids & filters regularly to get most out of your $4,600 or so. As for engine oil, I myself change it at every 3,000 miles/5 months for a turboed engine, with 10W-30 synthetic or synthetic-blend, but again see what Jim thinks. I believe Jim has been using regular oil, as well as 87-octane fuel and never had trouble, so the additional costs for premium fluids may not be worth it(I myself go with them just to have a peace of mind, and really the fluid choice is a personal preference rather than scientific facts, as long as you stick with name brands' high-quality products). Also, don't forget to flush the transmission with fresh Dexron-III/Mercon, as well as coolant (50:50 mix would suffice, unless you live in subzero climate, then you may need 55:45 or 60:40), brake fluid flushing, etc...


JPN

 

Redundant message deleted (same message posted twice).


JPN

 

When you use 87 octane, the car automatically pushes the timing back so you can run it, but you're not going to maximize your performance.

As to the Evap, where can I get an aftermarket unit? There is a tutorial in the stickies about the evaperator. The OEM one is only 139 bucks, but the installation looks to be an absolute pain in the ***.

 

↑FCP Groton only seems to sell aftermarket unit, as it says:

http://www.fcpgroton.com/VolvoAC/volvo850ac.htm

Order #: 9171781
A/C Evaporator
$139.00
Aftermarket

>but the installation looks to be an absolute pain in the ***.
Agreed[8D].


JPN

 

After you do about 50 of them you can knock them out in about 3 hours no problem!!!

 

↑50 evaporator replacements..........


JPN

 

Wait for the evaproator to go bad before you replace it. Good chance it's already been done too. The Dealer is the one who told me to get a aftermarket one. I do use 87 octane gas, but I have just switched to Valvoline High Mileage Synthetic blend 10W30 oil. It's cheaper than regular oil at Wal-Mart.

 

I have done way more than 50.
I have done well over 100 in the 7 years or so that I have worked on these cars.