Advice needed...

[Volvanman]

Evening all,

I have just spent a painful amount on my 940 which is now running smooth & sweet, and now have an annoying opportunity which could have seen me save some cash had it presented itself a few weeks earlier!!

I have the opportunity to buy an N reg (96?) 3 litre 960. It was originally a demo vehicle for HR Owen in London, and was bought by the current owner at 6 months old. He has had it serviced very regularly, and all HR Owen stamps are in the service book. Cosmetically, it is as you would expect after nearly 20 years on mainly London streets, not tatty, but not pristine. The alloy wheels are very corroded, but aesthetics aren't my main concern. Interior is tan leather & in excellent nick - everything works... It has 90000 on the clock!

Is £800 a reasonable price for this old beast? At nearly 20 years old I wouldn't really consider that price, but knowing its history, and knowing the current owner it would seem madness to turn it down...

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance...

[rogerthechorister]

Seems about right.

[Dirty Rooster]

£800 sounds fine, but not cheap, but the pluses you've mentioned : the history & stamps and the good condition interior make it a cut above the norm.
At 90,000 it's just run in after 20 years

[rogerthechorister]

If it were a redblock I'd agree "just nicely run in" - but it's a whiteblock, so it's probably got 30k miles left in it. Double-check the cambelt interval - years as well as miles - though. And change the ATF if you intend on leaning on it any much.

[James_N]

Originally Posted by rogerthechorister

it's a whiteblock, so it's probably got 30k miles left in it.

Why is that? I ask as I genuinely don't know. I like the 960, especially the 3.0 Auto (I'd love an auto!).

I'm sure ive seen 960s with good mileage on them still going, but are they that bad reliability wise?

[Forrest]

The whiteblock engines seem to have a poor reputation for long term reliability. They are also more expensive to maintain and parts are rarer.

I have always fancied a 960 or V90 but have stuck with four cylinder 940s. Others on the forum have said that despite their six cylinders 960s are actually quite slow unless the exhaust is substantially upgraded.

I'd also be put off by the multiple coil packs under the plastic cover on top of the engine. They and their leads become fragile over time due to heat from the engine and I expect they are a pain, especially financially, to diagnose and replace.

[Volvanman]

Thanks for all the advice - I'll make an ATF change a priority Roger - it is unlikely that my heavy right foot will be able to resist the temptation, although it will need to be gradually wound up as it is has been used less frequently in the last couple of years...

[rogerthechorister]

I'm still trying to get my recent acquisition (56k miles!) to go properly. Feels brisk if not exactly urgent up to about 70. After that it's thrashy and slow. My Sport is much more lively at the top end.

I think I will have to invest in an exhaust and maybe some induction. Seems a shame as the present exhaust is in good nick (although I think cheap pattern sh1t).

I have been warned that more than an extra say 30 bhp definitely puts kickdown at risk!

[CTCNetwork]

Hi,

Quite a few of these white blocks have needed head gaskets at about the 100k miles stage.

The point about the wiring for the coil packs is a good one, the loom from volvo is earth-shatteringly expensive BUT there is a chap in the US that gets the parts and builds them up for about $150 or so. A recommended upgrade.

As it is a '96 it should not be one of those blocks that suffered from the cast shift that caused the block walls to seep oil and coolant.

They are nice and a cut above the 940 for comfort and enjoyment.

Des. . .

[rogerthechorister]

Does anyone know a source of new or as new 960 door cards? Even my normally miracle-working trimfitter is saying he doubts whether he can get my wrinkled ones perfect.