Not so long ago I installed new front struts, mounts, seats, etc. on my 850 wagon. I was hoping that the truck-like ride would be smoothed out a bit. It didn't seem to make much difference. I have no idea what the ride was like when this car was new, nor do I have any other 850 of this vintage to compare mine to. However, my 2000 Saturn SL1, which is definitely not a luxury car, seems like a magic carpet in comparison.

I suppose the springs on my Volvo could be dead after 160K miles. But my question to those more knowledgeable is whether the stiff, somewhat jarring ride is a common aspect of the 850 experience.

 

Hi Tony,a"normal' model should be very comfy,the sportsmodels a bit harsher(and thats an understatement,lol)

gr,walter

 

Tony, what model 850 do you have? As Walter stated, the sports models, the R and T-5R have a stiffer ride. Volvo's in general have a firm ride. Some do consider it harsh, especially when they come out of a soft riding car.

If your springs were bad, your car would sometime bottom out when going over intersection bumps and dips in the road.

Volvo's and other european cars have a firm ride. They claim it helps the driver feel the road and enables them better respond to road conditions.

 

Thanks. I have the garden variety 850 NA wagon. Comfy is not a word I would use to describe the ride on city streets, even with new struts. It is sweet on the highway, however.

 

well i forgot to say,i'm from Belgium,so for here(europe)they're quite comfy,lol
Offcourse in comparrisson with an American car they're harsh.

gr,Walter