1995 Volvo 850 T5R from UK and Ireland - Comments

1. Cylinder head damaged during manufacture due to improper spark plug insertion;

2. Near-side drive shaft (at 5.5 years old);

3. Auto gearbox (reverse gear) (at 4.5 years old);

4. Air conditioning (climate control sensors) (at 5.5 years old);

5. Petrol filler cap motor (at 5.5 years old).

1. Volvo build quality and reliability is not what it used to be.

2. Brakes are useless for such a fast, heavy car. I've upgraded my front brakes to AP Racing disks, pots, and pads.

3. Also had suspension and steering geometry improved.

4. Mild turbo upgrade to between 285 to 300 bhp. 0-60 now well under 6 seconds.

5. Car suffers badly from torque steer and tram lining.

6. Body not as stiff as it should be.

7. Very pronounced lift-off oversteer: great if you can handle it, dangerous if you're not expecting it.

8. Standard Volvo traction control only works to 25 mph / 40 kph: useless. Try fitting RaceLogic's Clubman's Professional traction control.

Sick car just bought one and it halls ass. needs some small mods, but will be awsome

once finished. good luck with it and don't give us volvo drivers a bad rap.

I have owned my 850T5R since April of 1995. This car has been special. The brakes are not as good as they need to be. Tires are expensive and alignment is a must for proper wear. After nine years no major engine work. Door hinge needed to be welded, which is common in the 850. Auto seat motors needed replacement at 9.5 years. Antenna motor after five years. Drive safe!

Kathie Bennett.

I, ve had my T5 R for about 6 months and spent about £1200 on mods ie.. chipped, exhaust, dump valve, air filter and exhaust and brakes. OK so it now goes like the clappers, but be warned... goes thrugh oil like no ones business, the old engine (145000 miles) doesn, t like the 300 odd bhp and as you all know the front wheel drive is completely useless with all that power. Add to this I was told by my volvo dealer it's probably only worth £1800 (!!!) quid and it's been a very expensive if very enjoyable project.

Steve Marks.

I have had my t5 for a year now, so far all I have put on the car is a set of tyres and a twin piston dump valve. it`s an estate car with lots of power which makes it an ideal all round car that can hunt down cosworths all day long and still manage to take my german sheperd to the beach, it`s the best car that I have owned for a lot of years marty.

After a number of years driving various Subaru's around race tracks in both the UK and Europe (Spa, Nurburgring icluded) along with chipped Skylines etc.. etc.. My last car Imprezza P1 No 202 which was targeted and stolen after a burglary at my home to enable a clean getaway with only major damage to my home and of course, not the car!! I resorted to a T5R 1995 in Black 140K on the clock. I have previously thrashed a Yellow T5R around Mallory park and Donnington Park (Estate of course!) which was so pleasurable as only the odd Ferrari would pass by on the straights, only to be murdered in the tricky bits, (corners to them!). My Black T5R Estate with tints and a sweet engine is sublime and totally understated. Hold on to yours. They are very desirable and collectable for obvious reasons. Main one is FUN!! My 300 AMG Merc.. No chance!! T5R must be the coolest Estate by far even after 10 years. Nothing comes close. (As yet).

I bought my 95 yellow T5R new. In 189K miles I have replaced the front rotors and turned the back ones. That is it! No oil or fluid leaks, no problems. We named her "Buttercup". She has amazed many Corvette drivers and is still a delight to drive. I have not seen nor driven a better car for the money. My only complaint is I do not like the low profile tires on rough roads. I'm going to keep her until she dies. As solid as she is now that will be down the road a long way.

I think your problems come from changing the turbo. The car has 222 hp to start, if you have 285-300 I'd expect to see more problems with the engine as it stresses far more. The naturally aspirated engine had 168hp. I don't think its fair to give the car a poor reliability and maintenance cost rating beceause you have modified your car.