Volvo Forums - Volvo Enthusiasts Forum - Debating going for the S80 T6

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Debating going for the S80 T6

So, as some of you guys may know I had some unsuccessful attempts/results with trying to add a cool air intake/supercharger/nitrous to my current S80 2.9L non-turbo. Basically the guys at the shop told me this:they can't install the cool air intake because they have nowhere to safely attach the Mass Airflow Sensor, they can't do the supercharger because they can't guarantee when the pedal is floored that is true full throttle, and they can't safely recommend the nitrous due them not being confident me switching spark plugs to a degree colder would work.

For a brief revew these are my current specs:

2001 S80 2.9L non-turbo. I don't know it off the top of my head but I am over 58,000 miles (but still shy of 59,000 miles). At the time we picked up the car in 2003 we paid $22,000 for 21,000 miles (so I have put on roughly 36,000 miles). Still decent shape; got scratch marks on the trunk from a vandalizer, front grill bar is cracked due to someone who backed into me (while I was parked), left fog light is loosek (right now held in place with hockey tape), and right front wheel is making some noise (I'm getting it looked at tom). I have added a subwoofer to it so the sound has improved, and we just replaced both brake pads,discs,sockets, tires are a bit wearing down but still got some miles left).

I have since gone into Plan B mode (seeing what possible deals are out there for a turbo S80 otherwise known as the 2.8L T6). So far I have stumbled upon these 2:

1999 S80 2.8L T6 79,910 miles. Asking price: 8,600 (and willing to negotiate more if I take it before end of the month).
2000 S80 2.8L T6 65,556 miles. Asking price: 9,980.

Here's my take on it-if after looking at the turbo version I can check off the following:
A) The 268 horsepower does make a difference (I plan on checking out/possibly test driving the 1999 one this Sat).
B) The car is in good shape interior and exterior wise.
C) I can either trade in/sell my current one for a reasonable range.

Then the odds will be strong I would be interested in making the swap.

However.....my family and friends have offered their opinion (most of it being on the thumbs down but they said they will support and respect my decision regardless).

1) I do not drive fast (or am not an aggressive driver for the most part) so they feel the 268 hp jump from my current 197 hp will not be utilized
2) I would be downgrading year wise from my 2001 for a 1999/2000.
3) I would be downgrading milage wise from my 58,000 to either 79,910 or 65,556.
4)I've poured too much money into my current S80 to now decide to swap in/buy an older model.

My Dad has also expressed concerns about the turbo engine, as he said according to his understanding turbos are harder to mantain and generally lead a shorter lifespan then their N/A siblings. My neighbor pretty much thinks I've lost it (he is also suspicious as to why the 1999 is being priced so low; he thinks something has to be wrong i.e. it sounds too good to be true). I personally am torn because on one hand I still love my S80 deep down but on the other I am sick of getting blown off my less expensive cars on the highway when trying to fight traffic as well as the lose of acceleration and power I notice uphill and with even medium weight in the car (my neighbor's brother has pointed out he noticed the car doesn't feel as "kicky" and powerful as it used to be; somewhat like an aging fighter). There are times I can't even gun into the middle lane (when fighting to merge)because I don't have the confidence the car can make that jump like it used to.

So............what's your 2 cents? And you can be honest. I have some concerns as to whether or not I will be able to add a cool air intake/turbo timer/air fuel gauge to this car as so far my online searches still have not yielded solid results (as of right now I am going on some faith from the "experts" that at least with the turbo or in this case twin turbo I would have the fundamental for tuning it soemwhat. Let me emphasize I am not trying to race; this is just something I would like to have some more power when needed and the option of being able to take this out in the open or to a legal race track once in awhile for kicks).