How important are age, mileage, service history when buying?

[liuleichan]

>is the tax any different?

I was thinking more a company car thing.

>insurance/petrol would be cheaper in a 2.0 -

Do you think there's much in it, though, compared with the 2.5s?

>there do seem to
>be a lot of them for sale.

Umm...

[liuleichan]

>>the 93 auto's are know for problems with the box, so stay
>>away.
>
>you got me worried now. what problems?

I've heard this, too - I believe there was a changeover point when they updated the transmission - not sure if it was purely software, or not.

>ran mine for almost 60k
>and not had a problem.

60k? I wouldn't expect many cars would have a problem up to 60k (ignoring some of the more fragile CVT 'boxes).

I'd say something upwards of 150k to consider at least reasonable longevity.

[deanrosc]

>I've heard this, too - I believe there was a changeover point
>when they updated the transmission - not sure if it was purely
>software, or not.

mines a late 93(missed being a 94 by about two days) so i might be ok
>60k? I wouldn't expect many cars would have a problem up to
>60k (ignoring some of the more fragile CVT 'boxes).

no i've run the car for 60k since i owned it, its actually done 141k with no problems. bet the b****rd breaks now.

[liuleichan]

>
>>I've heard this, too - I believe there was a changeover
>point
>>when they updated the transmission - not sure if it was
>purely
>>software, or not.
>
>mines a late 93(missed being a 94 by about two days) so i
>might be ok

I'm not sure of the years to be that precise, I just remember reading some problems with the transmissions from the earlier years.

>>60k? I wouldn't expect many cars would have a problem up to
>>60k (ignoring some of the more fragile CVT 'boxes).
>
>no i've run the car for 60k since i owned it, its actually
>done 141k with no problems. bet the b****rd breaks now.

Well if it's any consolation, they don't tend to just go with no hints.

Are you on original ATF, or has it ever been changed?

[deanrosc]

i got all the recipts for everything down to spark plugs for the life of the car, far as i'm aware its on original gear.

[bobcat]

Out of all the 850's it seems that the 93 850's had the most transmission problems. some will fail early where as others will go for lots of miles.

before you change the fluid read up about the pro's and cons of it as some people have had problems after fresh fluid.

[imac]

>before you change the fluid read up about the pro's and cons of it >as some people have had problems after fresh fluid


I was gonna do an ATF flush and replace at the weekend! What are the pros and cons? My fuid is brown and I'm imagining it's the original (119k).

>It all depends what your budget is and what spec you want.

Budget up to 9000 euros (approx 6000 pounds)
Spec - no to important. Working aircon would be nice living on the continent it can get a bit warm.

>History really has to be there....850s do need servicing
>properly or things gunge up and cause oil seals to fail etc.

Do all 850 have the same interval? Any idea what it is?

>Make sure the cambelt has been done....

good tip. Thanks!

>I'd say an M/N reg T5 estate, with a good colour around 130k
>should set you back around �3000-�4000. A 2.5 would be
>�2000-�3000.

So about 95 year?? I think my last car in th UK (N reg Audi) was a 95 ......

>Get it checked over by someone who knows the 850's well, a
>lemon will cost you thousands but a good one will serve you
>very well :D

Not that many people on Germany know Volvo's. They tend to stick with the German cars. Where I live there are more mercs than anything else. (I have to drive around the merc plant to get to work)

>Age isn't that important, mileage isn't all that important

Thats reasuring -means I can consider one with more miles and save some money 8o)

>Oh, and I would reconsider the T5. It'll keep up with your
>Cooper S (In a straight line), provided you haven't tweaked
>the S! ;)

I know T5s are great (I've driven a few when I worked for a Volvo dealer in the UK for 9 months) and if I weren't keeping the Mini it would be T5 all the way. It would outpace the Mini in a straight line (they certainly feel a smidge quicker) but is not quite as much fun through the twisties. But at the moment my budget is tight, and I need a second car for family use. I could afford the T5 easier if I sold the Mini and got a cheap small car for daily use, but I don't think I could live without my Mini 'fix' on the 'extended' route to work and back.

>dont get a 93 or 94! 95 was the best year to go with.
>
>mileage isnt a problem, just make sure its had all the common
>jobs done and has been looked after.

Thanks. Erm, but how can I be sure it has been looked after? I would imagine the following indicate a cared for car :
- paintwork & bodywork in good condition
- Nothing obviously wrong mechanically (shocks, brakes, engine)
- all gadgets in working order
- serviced every 10K? miles

Does that seem reasonable? Anything to add/remove/correct?