850 2.5 vs 2.3t5, oh what to do...

bigV · Apr 15th, 2007, 22:38

Basically I have an 850 2.5 GLT, non turbo, right now it needs the brakes fixing, a new exhuast (quoted £260, ouch!), and the tax is up the end of the month. It also has an oil leak, slow but steady and there is a puff of blue smoke at start-up in the mornings..... also the steering has started creeking at slow speeds on full lock and it feels slightly skittish over rough road surfaces!

The mileage reads 120k but I have no history to back this up... So, come on guys;

Should I spend some money repairing these faults, or should I try and find myself a nice 850 T5 estate?

With a budget of around £1200 what are my chances of getting a car that will run trouble free for the next 6-8 months?

What to do... what to do..

John_C · Apr 15th, 2007, 22:46

Do you like your car? Do you enjoy driving it? Do you trust it? If so fix it up.

Do you secretly wish you'd bought a T5? Do you want the extra performance? Are you willing to risk your money on a car you don't know? If so, take your time, look at lots of cars, buy the best T5 you can find.

Just my 0.02p

Cheers,
John

Stormy · Apr 15th, 2007, 23:08

Sometimes it's better the devil you know.

I change my car too often...maybe I should follow my own advise but if you do fix it up, will you then still be bored with it and want a change and always yearn for the greater power? There is always that excitement getting a new car as well. If it was me, I would change and go for a T5 but look about for the right car.

If you do, as said don't be too quick to get a T5, take your time, check the history's, listen and look for the usual issues let your head rule to a certain extent.

John_C · Apr 15th, 2007, 23:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormy

If you do, as said don't be too quick to get a T5, take your time, check the history's, listen and look for the usual issues let your head rule to a certain extent.

Oh yes, I couldn't agree with this more. Trust me, I know about doing it the wrong way round

Cheers,
John

adamsky01 · Apr 16th, 2007, 01:46

why pay 260 for the coughter whan u can do it urself for a ton<=100£>
as for oil leack that is easey enought when u find were its coming from
stering sounds like rack mabey track rod end as for puff of smoke that could be valve stems seals or it could be piston rods o rings is the engine nosie ratle ect if not the chances are its vlve related if u did that job urself u are looking around £200 do it ur self on a worse case sernario u are looking at 600 pound ish

bigV · Apr 16th, 2007, 07:28

Well, I like my car very much & I do enjoy driving it, however I do long for the more powerful version and getting an estate (mine is saloon) would really come in handy in the near future........

I really don't want to spend 300-500 on mine then have to buy a cheap & nasty mondeo estate in 3 months time!

As for the blue smoke, it is just a puff in the mornings at start up, but what with the oil leak and slight hesitation around 3k RPM (engine management light is on, came on after I went over one of those nearly invisible speed bumps too fast) it is a bit worrying.

bigV · Apr 16th, 2007, 07:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormy

If you do, as said don't be too quick to get a T5, take your time, check the history's, listen and look for the usual issues let your head rule to a certain extent.

I'm looking at this one on ebay right now: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...101221476&rd=1

Dunno if it might be a bargain or a shed....

John_C · Apr 16th, 2007, 22:47

It's gone!

bigV · Apr 16th, 2007, 22:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by charltjr

It's gone!

Must have sold already!!

Damn shame as it was only 15 miles down the road. I emailed the seller to confirm it has sold...

Maybe ebay pulled it for some technical breaking of rules or something...

I very nearly bought this one at the weekend: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1995-VOLVO-850...QQcmdZViewItem

The lack of service history and the fact that it is in london put me off though... Damn shame,

That is the kind of thing I am after... max budget of 1200 really, could go to 1500 if it was close to home and with MOT/tax.

John_C · Apr 16th, 2007, 22:52

The only thing I would say about ebay is go and view the car before you bid, preferably with someone who knows their 850's if you don't know the model that well (not suggesting anything, just general advice for anyone who happens to read the thread).

Mine looked great, but needed a *lot* of work. Or maybe I'm just too anal about my cars, probably a bit of both!

Cheers,
John

Apr 15th, 2007, 22:38	#1
bigV Member Last Online: Apr 3rd, 2016 20:16 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Coventry View Photos By: bigV	850 2.5 vs 2.3t5, oh what to do... Basically I have an 850 2.5 GLT, non turbo, right now it needs the brakes fixing, a new exhuast (quoted £260, ouch!), and the tax is up the end of the month. It also has an oil leak, slow but steady and there is a puff of blue smoke at start-up in the mornings..... also the steering has started creeking at slow speeds on full lock and it feels slightly skittish over rough road surfaces! The mileage reads 120k but I have no history to back this up... So, come on guys; Should I spend some money repairing these faults, or should I try and find myself a nice 850 T5 estate? With a budget of around £1200 what are my chances of getting a car that will run trouble free for the next 6-8 months? What to do... what to do.. __________________ 1994 T5 Auto. MTE remap, TME cat-back, Strut Brace, HID's, 302mm brakes.

Apr 15th, 2007, 23:08	#3
Stormy New Member Last Online: Sep 14th, 2007 14:00 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: East Anglia View Photos By: Stormy	Sometimes it's better the devil you know. I change my car too often...maybe I should follow my own advise but if you do fix it up, will you then still be bored with it and want a change and always yearn for the greater power? There is always that excitement getting a new car as well. If it was me, I would change and go for a T5 but look about for the right car. If you do, as said don't be too quick to get a T5, take your time, check the history's, listen and look for the usual issues let your head rule to a certain extent. __________________ Stormy Current Volvo: 2001 (51) S80 2.4SE 20V 170bhp Pearl Blue. Previous Volvo's: 1999 (V) S70 2.4SE 20V Black with tinted windows. 1994 (L) 850 2.0SE 20V Gunmetal Grey, 17's, front splitter, 5 inch exhaust, NOS, E-Tech spoiler

Apr 16th, 2007, 07:28	#6
bigV Member Last Online: Apr 3rd, 2016 20:16 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Coventry View Photos By: bigV	Well, I like my car very much & I do enjoy driving it, however I do long for the more powerful version and getting an estate (mine is saloon) would really come in handy in the near future........ I really don't want to spend 300-500 on mine then have to buy a cheap & nasty mondeo estate in 3 months time! As for the blue smoke, it is just a puff in the mornings at start up, but what with the oil leak and slight hesitation around 3k RPM (engine management light is on, came on after I went over one of those nearly invisible speed bumps too fast) it is a bit worrying. __________________ 1994 T5 Auto. MTE remap, TME cat-back, Strut Brace, HID's, 302mm brakes.

Apr 15th, 2007, 22:46	#2
John_C Allons-y! Last Online: Jun 8th, 2020 15:32 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Winchester	Do you like your car? Do you enjoy driving it? Do you trust it? If so fix it up. Do you secretly wish you'd bought a T5? Do you want the extra performance? Are you willing to risk your money on a car you don't know? If so, take your time, look at lots of cars, buy the best T5 you can find. Just my 0.02p Cheers, John

Apr 16th, 2007, 01:46	#5
adamsky01 back for now Last Online: Aug 17th, 2016 21:48 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: gone	why pay 260 for the coughter whan u can do it urself for a ton<=100£> as for oil leack that is easey enought when u find were its coming from stering sounds like rack mabey track rod end as for puff of smoke that could be valve stems seals or it could be piston rods o rings is the engine nosie ratle ect if not the chances are its vlve related if u did that job urself u are looking around £200 do it ur self on a worse case sernario u are looking at 600 pound ish

Apr 16th, 2007, 22:47	#8
John_C Allons-y! Last Online: Jun 8th, 2020 15:32 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Winchester	It's gone!

Apr 16th, 2007, 22:52	#10
John_C Allons-y! Last Online: Jun 8th, 2020 15:32 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Winchester	The only thing I would say about ebay is go and view the car before you bid, preferably with someone who knows their 850's if you don't know the model that well (not suggesting anything, just general advice for anyone who happens to read the thread). Mine looked great, but needed a lot of work. Or maybe I'm just too anal about my cars, probably a bit of both! Cheers, John

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