1988 Volvo 740 GLE Estate from UK and Ireland - Comments

Nothing.

The Volvo 740 series has got to be one of the best engineered cars of all time. I recommend the 2.3 litre GLE because it has the exemplary Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection system fitted and gives about 131bhp as opposed to the GL and Base models with the troublesome Pierburg carbs.

Nothing like driving a 440, but somewhat similar in some aspects to driving a 340.

I was always put off buying one due to claims of high fuel consumption, but I eventually chose to ignore this and I was right to. I drive mine hard (I'm 21), it's an estate and has the most excellent 4 speed + overdrive manual gearbox and I NEVER get less than 30mpg: usually around 34, which for a car with the aerodynamics of a fridge-freezer and weighing just shy of a ton and a half ain't bad going.

Steering is precise (helped by rear wheel drive) and incredibly light, it will do in excess of 120mph and the engine is generally refined except at about 3500-4000ish rpm where it resonates slightly, but above 4k you're rewarded with an engine which sounds like a turbine and it shifts too. Brakes could be better but again, a lot of weight to stop.

In the estate I just love how the rear seats fold down perfectly flat leaving no gaps in the floor - ingenious design.

Heater a bit crap, but gets up to temperature quickly.

Overall this is the best car you can buy for the money. Driving such a comfortable, reliable car so cheaply gives me an inner glow that I'm cheating the system by not getting a new car on credit and getting into debt like most others who get mercilessly sucked in by the ads on TV. And I have to laugh when I see these newer cars having the most horrendous faults with them simply due to poor design governed by the economics of the 21st century.

Glad to hear you are happy with it! We are buying a 1986 740 GLE Intercooler Turbo this week to add to our collection of a 440 GL 1994 and a 360 GLT 1986, which have all been fantastic workhorses, and which cop a hiding on most days driving hard here in Australia.

The 740 has had one doctor owner and aside from some wear eg. hood lining, drives very smoothly. Can't wait to pick up the "Doc" this week.

I have just purchased a 740GLE EST, but I get rather bad vibration at 50mph all thru the body any ideas.

Hi Steven your problem with vibrations could be the propshaft remove it from car and check that the two halfs are in line there is arrow on each half if these are not in line that's is ya trouble also check that the u/j isn't worn or siezed also the centre bearing and front rubber coupling good luck mate Barry.

My 740 is also harsh at 2500 rpm. My mechanic says 740 engine/transmission mount at transmission has less rubber than 240 had. 240's was also mounted at an angle, allowing greater movement. The rubber squashes and hardens from oil leaks..740 gives two types of leak, at distributor and rear main seaol, both of which fall onto this mounting. Try new rubber mounting/ fix oil leaks.

Its nice to see another 21 year old 740GLE estate driver. Check out my page at www.jnolan.co.uk/Volvo.

Cheers

James.

I am looking at purchasing a 1988 Volvo 740 GLE. It is a 4 dr. and has 174,000 KGM on it. When I test drove it it was hard to steer... not driving on a hwy but making turns... any ideas what that could be?

Nancy.