Sventastic’s 850R | SwedeSpeed – Volvo Performance Forum

Well, looks like it’s time to join the 850 community!

I’ve been driving an 1998 S70 T5 SE for the past 6+ years which unfortunately developed a rod knock, and due to my work/school/living situation, I had to limp and tow the car 150km home and find something new. And by new I mean older, because I bought a 1996 850R sedan! The car is in good shape and I bought it with 227,742km, it’s certainly not without flaws but I’m very happy with it so far.

The interior is in particularly good condition, and 2 hours of detailing and vacuuming brought it pretty much back to new. The paint is in pretty good shape, oddly enough some panels have been clear coated, some of which is unfortunately peeling. I can live with it, the car looks great from 10ft for now. I think it’s just the side mirrors, and rear quarter panel on the driver’s side which received clear coat. I’ll find out for certain once I polish the car and see what areas transfer paint. There’s some oxidation on the horizontal surfaces, I’d appreciate some insight into what products are recommended for getting rid of that… Also, amazingly I can’t find a single dent on the whole car… Haven’t looked terribly close yet, but nothing stands out.

The front bumper was cracked a couple owners back, and the previous owner painted it black with some tough coating, and put red 3M vinyl across the vertical surface for further protection. That’ll be staying that way for awhile, since a few hundred bucks to have that cleaned up is very low on the priority list.

The car has a few modifications, and came with the stock parts for each:
– IPD projector HID headlights – the night lights are surprisingly weak, driving at night in the dark they barely light up the road. The high beams are insanely bright though. The previous owner protected them with a clear film, and removed it before selling and underneath they’re nearly perfect except for the sides where the film didn’t reach.
– IPD short ram intake
– MSD ignition coil and IPD spark plug wires
– Black mesh front grille
– Some old touch screen double-din head unit – the stock radio the car came with is from an S70, I believe it’s the SC-816. If it works I’ll be happy since I prefer the look of it to the 850’s radio with the tacky “Premium Sound System” gold lettering

My main goal with this car is to keep it as a reliable daily driver for at least the remainder of university (about 2.5 years), and hopefully putting a big smile on my face the whole time
That will definitely mean swapping over my IPD track spec rear sway bar from the S70, and maybe the springs as well. Might keep it at stock height for the sake of practicality though.

To get to that reliable daily status it needs a few things.

1. Timing belt – done at 162,000km so it has only done 66,000km, but according to the vehicle history it was replaced between 2006-2008. This belt is getting old and that worries me… I’ll be getting parts to replace it soon. Timing belt, serpentine belt, water pump, idler pulley, tensioner and tensioner idler all replaced at 231,158km

2. PCV System replacement – the previous owner has no records of it being serviced or replaced. I did this on my S70 back in December so hopefully it doesn’t take me 2 days this time…
Replaced at 228,784km

3. ABS – currently not working.
Module replaced at 230,115km

4. Some sort of hesitation at high throttle load in 2nd gear, not sure if it was bad gas since I’ve had the exact same problem in my S70 due to bad gas (even though it was 91 octane). I don’t plan on driving the car hard until the timing belt is done, so troubleshooting this might have to wait until then.

5. Preventative maintenance items such as fuel filter, cabin air filter, etc. Will check the spark plugs, wires, cap and rotor to see how they’re doing too.
Cabin air filter installed at 230,097km
Cap and rotor replaced at 231,158km
Fuel filter replaced at 234,456km
Spark plugs and wires at 237,230km

6. Front brake hose needs replacement
Front and rear rotors, calipers, pads replaced at 235,192km. Upgraded to 302mm rotors

7. ECU air hose missing – just need a replacement
Stolen from my S70

8. Front end clunk – sounds exactly like the loose sway bar end link I had on my S70, probably just needs tightening.
Both sides replaced with Lemforder links at 231,158km

9. Steering play – I noticed on the highway the steering sometimes didn’t tighten up at higher speeds like it should have, it remained loose like when you’re parking, and other times it tightened up. I’m not sure what would control this… Power steering fluid level is in the right range. Could be related to alignment or any number of suspension components – Update Feb. 2017 – got an alignment and more issues presented themselves, likely need inner tie rods and control arms

Update December 2017 – aftermarket strut bearings appear to have been the culprit. I swapped to my S70 front suspension and the steering is now tight at all speeds.

10. When replacing PCV MAF to turbo intake hose was found to be badly cracked which could be contributing to #4 as well.
Replaced at 231,158km

11. Alignment is off a fair amount

12. Driver’s side heated mirror does not work, and the rear windshield defroster has about 4-5 strips that don’t work

13. A couple bulbs are out in the climate control system, and shifter lightbulb is burnt out.
Shifter light replaced at 230,097km

14. Driver’s side rear door and front passenger side door have broken door checks, so they swing open freely.
Passenger side door check on-hand, replacing soon…

15. Parking brake only engages on one side

16. Gas cap doesn’t unlock sometimes

17. Might need a couple motor mounts, clunky shifts on hard acceleration

18. Trunk struts have lost their pressure

Since the S70 is my basis of comparison for the P80 platform, here’s what I’ve noticed:
– 850R feels much lighter and eager on turn-in compared to a stock S70 – but with the rear sway bar and springs on the S70 it’s a whole different story
– The steering wheel feels huge!
– Ride quality is the same despite larger wheels and thinner tires
– Less torque, doesn’t seem to pull as hard
– Sounds way better with the short ram intake – much more growl
– Aside from the seats the interior feels a bit less refined, the plastics and soft touch materials in the S70 are nicer. S70 gauges and digital odometer are much nicer.
– Big plus – TURBO GAUGE!!!
– 850R seats are next level… Somehow softer yet still firm, and the bolstering is great
– Shifting seems more aggressive and quicker than the S70
– Throttle response is much better than the S70, which felt lazy in comparison

Maintenance Log:

2016
09-Nov 228784 PCV System, intake manifold gasket, injector seals, dipstick tube seal – Genuine Volvo
20-Nov 229920 Oil filler cap seal – NAPA

2017
03-Jan 231158 Sway bar end links – Lemforder
03-Jan 231158 Water Pump – Aisin
03-Jan 231158 Idler Pulley – INA
03-Jan 231158 Tensioner Pulley – INA
03-Jan 231158 Tensioner – Aisin
03-Jan 231158 Timing Belt – Contitech
03-Jan 231158 Serpentine Belt – Contitech
03-Jan 231158 Water Pump Gasket – Elwis
03-Jan 231158 MAF to Turbo Intake Pipe – Volvo
30-Nov 230115 ABS Module – Midwest ABS
29-Nov 230097 Shifter lightbulb – Volvo
29-Nov 230097 Cabin Air Filter Retainer – Economy
29-Nov 230097 Cabin Air Filter – Micronair
05-Feb 231630 Hood – Volvo
17-Feb 231872 Alignment – Dynamic Performance Auto Center
17-Feb 231942 Windshield Wipers – Bosch
19-May 233122 10L Castrol Titanium Synthetic Oil 5W-40
19-May 233122 Oil Filter – Mahle
26-May 234390 Front passenger door check – PPS
12-Jun 234456 Fuel Filter – Bosch
02-Jul 235192 302mm Front Rotors – Zimmerman
02-Jul 235192 Rear Rotors – Zimmerman
02-Jul 235192 Sport brake pads – StopTech
02-Jul 235192 Front and Rear SS brake lines – TechnoFit
02-Jul 235192 Caliper Paint
02-Jul 2351922 Front Calipers – Volvo ATE
02-Jul 235192 Rear Right Caliper – Volvo ATE
02-Jul 235192 Oil filler cap seal
18-Jul 235563 Oil dipstick tube – PPS
18-Jul 235563 Oil dipstick – PPS
18-Jul 235563 Transmission Torque Mount – Rein
18-Jul 235563 Vacuum tree o-ring – Volvo
25-Jul 235710 Control Arms – Meyle HD
25-Jul 235710 Inner Tie Rods – TRW
25-Jul 235710 Outer tie rods – Meyle
25-Jul 235710 25mm Rear Sway Bar – IPD
25-Jul 235710 Lowering Springs – IPD
04-Aug 235710 609 Paint – Lordco
03-Aug 235816 Alignment – OK Tire
12-Aug 237234 Spark Plugs – Volvo
12-Aug 237234 Spark Plug Wires – Volvo
04-Aug 235810 Alignment – OK Tire
04-Aug 235835 Bumper Repair + Paint
05-Nov 240968 Oil pan seals – Volvo
05-Nov 240968 Oil cooler line thermostat seals – Volvo
05-Nov 240968 Oil + filter change
Nov 13, 2017 241610 Snow tires swap onto Perfo wheels
Nov 14, 2017 241648 Oil cooler radiator seals Volvo
Nov 26, 2017 241764 T5-R shift knob Volvo
Dec 7, 2017 242085 SC-815 Radio Volvo
Dec 7, 2017 242085 Radio removal + install Visions Electronics
Dec 23, 2017 242580 Corner lamps URO Parts
Dec 23, 2017 242580 Washer nozzles Volvo
Jan 8, 2018 243256 Radio lightbulbs Amazon
Feb 4, 2018 244020 Boost gauge VDO
Feb 4, 2018 244020 Boost gauge vent mount Turbobricks
Feb 4, 2018 244020 Boost gauge hardware Lordco
Mar 31, 2018 245122 5L synthetic oil 5W40 Castrol
Mar 31, 2018 245122 Oil filter Mann
Mar 31, 2018 245122 Oil filler cap seal Elring
June 15, 2018 246223 M56H manual transmission, shifter assembly and cables, master and slave cylinders, manual pedals Volvo
June 15, 2018 246223 850R clutch and pressure plate Volvo
June 15, 2018 246223 Resurfaced single mass flywheel Volvo
June 15, 2018 246223 65,000km 16T turbo Volvo
June 15, 2018 246223 Rear main seal Volvo
June 15, 2018 246223 Clutch release bearing Volvo
June 15, 2018 246223 Clutch fork ball seat Volvo
June 15, 2018 246223 75W90 gear oil Volvo
June 15, 2018 246223 Pax drive shaft seal Volvo
June 15, 2018 246223 Flywheel bolts Volvo
June 15, 2018 246223 Pressure plate bolts Volvo
June 15, 2018 246223 Silicone turbo vacuum lines IPD
June 15, 2018 246223 Front hydraulic engine mount Corteco, Hutchinson
June 15, 2018 246223 Rear hydraulic engine mount Corteco, Hutchinson
June 15, 2018 246223 Heater core junction with new o-rings Volvo
June 15, 2018 246223 Intake manifold gasket Victor Reinz
June 15, 2018 246223 Throttle body clean
June 15, 2018 246223 Upper and lower radiator hoses Rein
June 15, 2018 246223 Vacuum caps for intake pipe and trans cooler on radiator CT
June 15, 2018 246223 Leather e-brake handle replaced with good condition Volvo
June 15, 2018 246223 Nicer condition seats installed Volvo
June 15, 2018 246223 850R alcantara owner’s manual Volvo
June 15, 2018 246223 215/45R17 Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 tires installed Firestone
July 30, 2018 248813 A/C R134a recharge
Aug 1, 2018 248907 HD oil cap seal IPD
Aug 1, 2018 248907 Polyurethane upper torque bushing IPD
Aug 22, 2018 249366 Front driver’s wheel hub with new bolts *** (OEM)
Aug 22, 2018 249366 Battery Kirkland
Aug 27, 2018 249416 Spring seat CRP (OEM)
Aug 27, 2019 249416 Front Struts Monroe
Aug 27, 2018 249416 Strut bearings URO
Aug 30, 2018 249558 Alignment Drivehard Performance
Sept 25, 2018 251423 Replace FL door check Volvo
Oct. 6, 2018 251660 Change spark plugs Bosch Platinum
Oct 21, 2018 251924 Coolant Volvo
Oct. 31, 2018 251978 Temporary fix vacuum elbows
Dec. 15, 2018 254843 Front bumper repairs Jan. 15 Prancing Horse Auto Body
Jan. 5, 2018 254703 Oil Change Castrol Titanium 0W-40, Mann oil filter

I’ll probably add to this original post as things progress and I make changes to the car. For now, I’m just glad to have found another Volvo that I can enjoy!

Now, pics, of course…