Volvo 850 - how would an E34 compare??
Discussion
Sadly, with the recent fuel hikes, I'm considering selling up my much loved 850 T5 and moving on to something a little more economical.
I do love the car, '96 855 T5 CD, loads of extras, nice & comfy, good build, never let me down (well once, when I was on my way to pick up new HT leads, and they failed en route!!), decent turn of pace, although mine is an auto. Trouble is, low 20's mpg is starting to hurt a bit now
I've been thinking of slightly more economical and yet still mildly interesting cars to replace it, with a limited budget (£1500 max). Often tempted by an Octavia vRS, nice sleeper, got a similar boxy look from the front, but wonder if build & interior would be as good as the 850.
After buying our first BMW last year (330ci) I'm also quite impressed by those, and started looking at TDS's today as a viable, cheap replacement. Still not decided on the reliability (fuel pump issues?), and not particuarly quick unless 'chipped', but should return 30+ mpg which would be good.
How would an E34 compare though? Same sort of era as the 850 (850 was a touch later), would they be similar class of build, comfort & handling? Has anyone driven both?
Obviously there is the E36 TDS as well, but I can't help thinking you probably get more toys for your money with the E34? The interior of the E34 looks quite retro, even compared to the 850, also most seem to be cloth, was leather an option on the TDS?
I love the retro looks of the E34, much like I love the boxy look of my 850!!! Hard times!!
I do love the car, '96 855 T5 CD, loads of extras, nice & comfy, good build, never let me down (well once, when I was on my way to pick up new HT leads, and they failed en route!!), decent turn of pace, although mine is an auto. Trouble is, low 20's mpg is starting to hurt a bit now
I've been thinking of slightly more economical and yet still mildly interesting cars to replace it, with a limited budget (£1500 max). Often tempted by an Octavia vRS, nice sleeper, got a similar boxy look from the front, but wonder if build & interior would be as good as the 850.
After buying our first BMW last year (330ci) I'm also quite impressed by those, and started looking at TDS's today as a viable, cheap replacement. Still not decided on the reliability (fuel pump issues?), and not particuarly quick unless 'chipped', but should return 30+ mpg which would be good.
How would an E34 compare though? Same sort of era as the 850 (850 was a touch later), would they be similar class of build, comfort & handling? Has anyone driven both?
Obviously there is the E36 TDS as well, but I can't help thinking you probably get more toys for your money with the E34? The interior of the E34 looks quite retro, even compared to the 850, also most seem to be cloth, was leather an option on the TDS?
I love the retro looks of the E34, much like I love the boxy look of my 850!!! Hard times!!
Edited by AMH82 on Monday 31st January 16:26
tting itself!!For the sake of a marginal difference in economy, you're far better off to stick with what you've got. Better the devil you know! Unless of course the Volvo is a nail, but then the chances of an aging BMW being a nail are as high if not higher. Running costs wise, I can't see any immediate benefit of the BMW other than marginally better economy. The T5 is a pretty bullet proof lump and parts are plentiful.
Obscene - that is the other consideration, I only use genuine parts in my 850 as most pattern bits are false economy, and most bits don't come cheap.
Definitely with our E46 I've found that pattern parts can be decent and not too expensive.
Tbh, I'd probably go for a TDS and get it mapped, but it sounds like the dodgy diesel pumps are a common & inevitable problem A 525i on short journeys will probably give 25mpg, so not much better, but cheaper parts & maybe insurance.
As I say, tough one, my 850 has not missed a beat, and I know the car......
Definitely with our E46 I've found that pattern parts can be decent and not too expensive.
Tbh, I'd probably go for a TDS and get it mapped, but it sounds like the dodgy diesel pumps are a common & inevitable problem
A 525i on short journeys will probably give 25mpg, so not much better, but cheaper parts & maybe insurance.As I say, tough one, my 850 has not missed a beat, and I know the car......
Busta - that is what's going through my head after a few hours reading around!!
Main downs for my 850 are poor economy and expensive parts, other than that - it's great!!
A vRS would probably be cheaper to run, but gonna be best part of £2k to buy. Maybe I should just run my 850 into the ground, and get on my pushbike more often.....
Main downs for my 850 are poor economy and expensive parts, other than that - it's great!!
A vRS would probably be cheaper to run, but gonna be best part of £2k to buy. Maybe I should just run my 850 into the ground, and get on my pushbike more often.....
Possibly demand?
I think some pattern parts are OK for the 850 (I have bought OEM bits from places like ECP for a fair bit less than genuine), but most people advise against any pattern parts with rubber or plastic in (unless OEM) from the likes of ScanTech.
I think it is probably down to the genuine parts being such good quality, I stripped the suspension off mine at 210k and was all original apart from one shock, and tbh, it wasn't in too bad a condition. I recently thought I needed a new wheel bearing assembly (it actually just needed tightening), genuine one was around £200 iirc, and a pattern one about £75. General thoughts were that pattern ones lasted a year at best, whereas my genuine ones are still going strong!!
I think some pattern parts are OK for the 850 (I have bought OEM bits from places like ECP for a fair bit less than genuine), but most people advise against any pattern parts with rubber or plastic in (unless OEM) from the likes of ScanTech.
I think it is probably down to the genuine parts being such good quality, I stripped the suspension off mine at 210k and was all original apart from one shock, and tbh, it wasn't in too bad a condition. I recently thought I needed a new wheel bearing assembly (it actually just needed tightening), genuine one was around £200 iirc, and a pattern one about £75. General thoughts were that pattern ones lasted a year at best, whereas my genuine ones are still going strong!!
Bought an E34 TDS just before Christmas to rip the engine out of to rebuild for the Range Rover. A shame really because the the E34 was a good soild car. I ran it for a week and it was surprisingly nippy and economical. My mother runs an 850 and I would say that the E34 is comparable if not better.
I had a new company car (E250 Sport Est)just before Christmas. The E34 cost £400 the Merc £40k. All I will say is that the E34 is better value for money!
Find a good one and go for it.
I had a new company car (E250 Sport Est)just before Christmas. The E34 cost £400 the Merc £40k. All I will say is that the E34 is better value for money!
Find a good one and go for it.
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