850/V70 AWD - was there ever a manual option?
 

It struck me earlier that I've never seen a factory manual gearbox in an AWD 850/V70 phase1 - was there one, or were they really all autos? No real reason*, just wondering now that I'm thinking about it...

Thanks :)

* well ok, it was to take note of mentally, should I ever decide to convert my V70R AWD to manual - I will want to keep the AWD...

yeah the manual R awd is one instance not many around

There were 3 phases of the first V70R, phase 2 and 3 Rs were all autos (4 speed on the phase 2 and 5 on the 3). All others were available as manuals, they are out there and I wish mine was one of them!

I was recently in a Manual v70 AWD. Are they particularly rare? We were looking to buy it but walked away as it was in a right state (badly bodged immobilisor, plenty of rust, Poorly maintainted etc).

If its a genuine original spec manual, then yes, I'd say they are pretty rare. The R manual has an uprated box with a LSD as standard. A few people have converted autos to manual using a 2.5NA gearbox that doesn't have this LSD.

The manual R also has an 18T rather than the 16T turbo in the auto.

If it was a manual V70R with AWD then its even rarer. The AWD gives stunning traction but is a bit fragile.

All the same, I'd still recommend buying on condition - if its in a state then you were right to walk away as they aren't collectable in the way an 850R is collectable - yet.

Thanks Rolling Thunder.

It is a shame this one was so poor. The owner really didn't care, it was a daily driver, all 4 tyres where practically flat and it went downhill from there.

My GF's father is in the market for a good 850 AWD. He didn't like the interior of the v70 in comparison but he wants a manual. I am trying to talk him into keeping his current 850. Rusty front wings aside it is in pretty tidy condition.

We did joke about putting the interior of his 850 into this v70.

I had a 1996 850 AWD manual.
But it was a pain as the max tread difference between both front and both rear tyres was very tight, I think it was 2mm.

I'm sure ive seen some manual AWD's in 850's,

Its going back abit to my earlier days but am sure there was some, altho i think the auto box is abit more forgiving on the drivetrain

I've got a 99 V70AWD manual. Well technically I've got two (long story).

Hi, just joined the volvo club and forum and I have just purchased P reg 850 AWD with manual gearbox