So, after much shopping I picked up a 1996 850R Sportwagon. It has 147k shown on the odo, but since odo is broken, my best estimate of mileage is about 155k. Interior and exterior are in good condition given it's age, paid $3800.

I'll post pics as soon as I can, but right now I have a couple questions.

1. The PO debadged everything on the trunk except for the "R". I think I'd like to return it to its original condition, does anyone have a photo of an umolested 850R wagon hatch?

2. The passenger side front door and dash speakers seem to be blown out. I know the R has a factory Alpine 4x50 watt Amp, can anyone recommend me speaker sizes and replacements? From what I can tell the door can hold a 5 1/4" without modification, the dash is 3"?

3. What oil type should I use for the R? My wagon didn't come with the original manual, but fortunately I at least have the radio code!

4. Last one for now - when I turn the engine off it shows the battery fault light...is this normal, or is a new battery in my future?

Thanks all!

 

1) http://images.search.yahoo.com/image...mb=u6YRe1FfG33

or http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a25...n/IMGP7590.jpg

2) 5 1/4 and 3" sounds about right, but you'll have to custom build your mounts, because those arent exact sizes. you could also get some from a junk yard....the stock speakers will be fine on 4x50 power.

3) Ask 20 people that question and you will probably get 20 answers. use a good quality synthetic, like valvoline synpower, castrol edge, mobil1, etc. I'd recommend using the mann filters, which you can buy through FCP for about 5 bucks a piece, of get a case of 10 of them for 40 bucks.

4) Sounds normal to me. Don't sweat it.

 

+1 with Ibified. Congrats on the R.

 

Lets see some pictures of that baby.

 

Thanks for the info!

Any idea what the weight should be? I use 5W-30 full synthetic in my BMW, so it would be easy if they were the same oil type but it's much more important that it be correct for the engine. I thought I saw some references to 10W-40 on here...can anyone shine some light on this?

 

I run Mobil1 10w-40 with a Mobil1 filter.

2 of 20

 

I run 10w-40 full synthetic Castrol Oil. Black cap, mann filter from iPd. Here is the owners manual:
http://www.volvocars.com/us/top/comm...yourvolvo.aspx
Your car:
https://www.customers.volvocars.com/.../96850_000.htm

 

Personally I run castrol edge with a mann filter. they're phasing out castrol syntec and edge is the replacement. It works out nicely because I use the same oil in my saab.

 

I run mann or bosch filters and mobil 1 5w-40 in the winter and 10w-40 in summer. and congrats

 

Bosch filters are what I run on the saab.

 

Thanks for the links, I had no idea Volvo made the manual available online.

Looks like 10W-40 it is. I'm planning to do a full detail this weekend so I'll try to throw up some before & after photos.