Discussion
Bought it at the weekend, picking it up on Wednesday this week 
It'll be my do it all car, last was a Golf VR6 which went in March this year... Had the Golf for just over 4 years and it did everything expected of it. However, the Volvo...... I may be developing some kind of fixation over this car... It's a near mint '95 M reg in metallic red, low miles, auto, with full grey leather interior... Near 150mph family estate with armchair comfort, I'm bloody falling in love with it. And I haven't got it yet 
I'll post some pics and more thoughts on it later this week, I've read as much as I can find about these cars, but keen to hear the views of other/former owners of this Swedish brick
Cheers all,
Richard
It'll be my do it all car, last was a Golf VR6 which went in March this year... Had the Golf for just over 4 years and it did everything expected of it. However, the Volvo...... I may be developing some kind of fixation over this car... It's a near mint '95 M reg in metallic red, low miles, auto, with full grey leather interior... Near 150mph family estate with armchair comfort, I'm bloody falling in love with it. And I haven't got it yet I'll post some pics and more thoughts on it later this week, I've read as much as I can find about these cars, but keen to hear the views of other/former owners of this Swedish brick
Cheers all,
Richard
Taking her to a specialist Saturday morning to get her up in the air for a proper underside check, primarily to inspect for any signs of corrosion, which if found can be dealt with and eradicated early on... I want to ensure this T5 doesn't become another spares or repair ad on the bay.... Also going to this specialist to discuss service status (they've carried out servicing on the old girl fairly recently), and get advice on the suspension... It seems very 'crashy' to me, but have no experience of these so don't know if the crashy wallowy slightly rolly thing is normal or not. If not she'll be getting new shocks and springs all round, probably polly bushes, uprated ARB's, and engine bay brace...
Few cosmetic items to attend to, including both offside wheel arches (someone had a go with a rattle can - God knows why they're rust free), the tailgate spoiler, bumpers, and front and rear lower valences... Going to try the old heat gun method on the gray bumpers....
Ordered Liquid Leather touch up kit in correct code for the interior, really looking forward to having a go at it, done this before and the results were amazing....
That's it for now, I'll post before and afters of the leather treatment
Richard
Few cosmetic items to attend to, including both offside wheel arches (someone had a go with a rattle can - God knows why they're rust free), the tailgate spoiler, bumpers, and front and rear lower valences... Going to try the old heat gun method on the gray bumpers....
Ordered Liquid Leather touch up kit in correct code for the interior, really looking forward to having a go at it, done this before and the results were amazing....
That's it for now, I'll post before and afters of the leather treatment
Richard
Crashy may be because it doesn't look like its on stock suspension. Alternatively its because the rear suspension is utterly knackered if it is stock. They should not sit even remotely that low - that's as low as mine was on 50mm dropped springs (they have now thankfully been swapped for proper shocks and springs!). If you do change the suspension out, its important to change top mounts - especially the rears. Rears are fairly cheap but important to avoid clunking and knocking noises that will drive you mad.
Also looks like you have an aftermarket exhaust tip, and someone has swapped in the upper tail lights from a P80 V70, its a common mod but I personally prefer the orange 850 versions. The best mod in my opinion from a V70 is actually to take the colour coded door handles and swap them in (2 bolts, straight fit - minus the door lock cylinders, but just go keyless. The boot lock cylinder also operates central locking and you should have a Guard II alarm with remote central locking anway).
Regarding the heatgun method, it does work but only for a limited time and only once. You're better off with a decent trim restorer (Gtechniq C4 or Finish Line for semi-permanent or CarPro PERL or similiar for regular treatment)...or go for all out respray. Its also worth noting the trim on the 850s is meant to be dark grey, not black, so don't be disappointed when they don't go fully dark!
Looks like you got an elusive load cover too - they're getting very hard and very expensive to find now. When they do pop up they're around £60 and in need of refurb. If you ever find it not rolling up properly you'll need a rebuild kit, fairly cheap and easy to find on eBay; expect to pay around £10 and take 20mins or so to fit. Rattling tailgates caused by broken trim pieces can also be addressed by repair kits on eBay for a tenner and work excellently.
Auto boxes can benefit immensely from a really good flush (or three) if it's something that hasn't be done in a while. The T5s will also eat calipers if the brake fluid isn't changed every two years on the dot. Aftermarket suspension can be quite hard on wheel bearings too, and if you drive it like its meant to be driven tyres can and will go in 8k miles. Beyond that oil change every 5k miles with semi-synthetic and you're good to go. If it hasn't had a dizzy cap/rotors/sparks/fuel filter done recently get that sorted too - engine will thank you and reward you with better performance and a significant mpg boost. Parts should cost about £100 and its a quick job. If your car actually is low miles, consider swapping to fully synthetic oils, you'll get 10k out of each oil change then.
One other thing to regularly check is the vac lines - they have a habit of deteriorating and resulting in boost leaks - here is a good video explaining where they are, where they go and how to check them:
https://youtu.be/f4LF0qGhMZs
Incidentally, that channel and ipdusa cover almost everything you need DIY and diagnoses wise on the T5s. Certainly helped tremendously with what I've had to do.
On the polybush front, they really ruin the refinement of these - introducing lots of vibrations. Not an issue unless you think it is, but worth noting, especially if you do a lot of longer trips. Strut braces are useful though far from necessary, expect to pay around £75 for one out of a breaker.
Also looks like you have an aftermarket exhaust tip, and someone has swapped in the upper tail lights from a P80 V70, its a common mod but I personally prefer the orange 850 versions. The best mod in my opinion from a V70 is actually to take the colour coded door handles and swap them in (2 bolts, straight fit - minus the door lock cylinders, but just go keyless. The boot lock cylinder also operates central locking and you should have a Guard II alarm with remote central locking anway).
Regarding the heatgun method, it does work but only for a limited time and only once. You're better off with a decent trim restorer (Gtechniq C4 or Finish Line for semi-permanent or CarPro PERL or similiar for regular treatment)...or go for all out respray. Its also worth noting the trim on the 850s is meant to be dark grey, not black, so don't be disappointed when they don't go fully dark!
Looks like you got an elusive load cover too - they're getting very hard and very expensive to find now. When they do pop up they're around £60 and in need of refurb. If you ever find it not rolling up properly you'll need a rebuild kit, fairly cheap and easy to find on eBay; expect to pay around £10 and take 20mins or so to fit. Rattling tailgates caused by broken trim pieces can also be addressed by repair kits on eBay for a tenner and work excellently.
Auto boxes can benefit immensely from a really good flush (or three) if it's something that hasn't be done in a while. The T5s will also eat calipers if the brake fluid isn't changed every two years on the dot. Aftermarket suspension can be quite hard on wheel bearings too, and if you drive it like its meant to be driven tyres can and will go in 8k miles. Beyond that oil change every 5k miles with semi-synthetic and you're good to go. If it hasn't had a dizzy cap/rotors/sparks/fuel filter done recently get that sorted too - engine will thank you and reward you with better performance and a significant mpg boost. Parts should cost about £100 and its a quick job. If your car actually is low miles, consider swapping to fully synthetic oils, you'll get 10k out of each oil change then.
One other thing to regularly check is the vac lines - they have a habit of deteriorating and resulting in boost leaks - here is a good video explaining where they are, where they go and how to check them:
https://youtu.be/f4LF0qGhMZs
Incidentally, that channel and ipdusa cover almost everything you need DIY and diagnoses wise on the T5s. Certainly helped tremendously with what I've had to do.
On the polybush front, they really ruin the refinement of these - introducing lots of vibrations. Not an issue unless you think it is, but worth noting, especially if you do a lot of longer trips. Strut braces are useful though far from necessary, expect to pay around £75 for one out of a breaker.
Edited by Cookeh on Thursday 2nd August 19:38
baconsarney said:
Cookeh, I read your project Ivy thread a while back 
brilliant, and helped confirm I needed a T5 in my life... Many thanks for input, I value your input hugely.... Don't hesitate to put me right If I appear to be going off track...
Thanks again,
Richard
Very welcome and thank you. They definitely get under your skin and I'm sure you'll find yourself hunting every little niggle and mod you can - just like me! brilliant, and helped confirm I needed a T5 in my life... Many thanks for input, I value your input hugely.... Don't hesitate to put me right If I appear to be going off track... Thanks again,
Richard
Cookeh said:
Crashy may be because it doesn't look like its on stock suspension. Alternatively its because the rear suspension is utterly knackered if it is stock. They should not sit even remotely that low - that's as low as mine was on 50mm dropped springs (they have now thankfully been swapped for proper shocks and springs!). If you do change the suspension out, its important to change top mounts - especially the rears. Rears are fairly cheap but important to avoid clunking and knocking noises that will drive you mad.
Cookeh, that last photo was taken on quite a slope so the weight of the car was on the nearside...
Here's one of her on level ground...........
She's running on OEM and probably original suspension, which is definitely a bit 'tired', plus there is very apparent deterioration in the rear axle bushes... I took her to a Volvo specialist on Saturday for a full health check and he is also familiar with the car having looked after it for the last two owners
So, going to start with new shocks and springs on the rear, probably Monroe's, replace the axle bushes, plus I want to fit a strut brace, however original Volvo strut braces appear to be extremely rare... Front ARB bushes were replaced about 18 months ago and all else in the suspension department looks good....Very thorough health check carried out, slight weep from the sump plug, small coolant leak in the small bore pipe at the top of the reservoir, and probably the biggest item to fall out of the health check is she is fairly urgent in need of a brake fluid flush and refill... So she's getting a full service next week, which along with the health check gives me a baseline for future maintenance
Otherwise all good, so very pleased, and the 40 mile round trip (cross country) allowed me to explore the handling and grip a little.... Quite impressed all in all with the handling and grip, plus it made me smile Thanks for the comments Mr Tidy, bungz, and Digby
... bungz, no idea what the black textured roof paint is all about....Next update later in the week, hoping the kit from liquid leather will arrive Tuesday or so, will do lots of before and afters...
Cheers,
Richard
ETA: She'll get new top mounts at the rear too as per Cookeh's advice....
Edited by baconsarney on Sunday 5th August 14:38
Ah excellent stuff, good to see it's not collapsed or coiled! OEM stuff is Bilstein, but a lot of people seem to swap in Meyle Shocks - slightly more compliant ride apparently. I'm on Bilsteins and have no complaints, but they are more expensive. Cheapest place I found for shocks and springs was partsforvolvosonline.com. Great place for most service items and ship very quickly.
Called the brake fluid situation, mine was atrocious but took me a bit longer to realise... Three calipers later! Glad you've caught that early on. Worth keeping on top of though, especially with how cheap fluid is.
Header tanks do fail, it's caused by the metal sleeve in the pipes expanding with corrosion and splitting the plastic. Not worth gambling on finding one from a used car as fairly cheap from Volvo. Definitely replace the cap too - if you have the grey cap it's the original item and almost definitely going to be leaking.
Strut braces are rare, seen 2 for sale in the last 3 weeks though. As much as I hate the site Facebook is actually pretty good for finding them. They were quite a common option in the P80 C70s so try breakers of those.
I'm really looking forward to your leather repair stuff, need to touch up my armrest but unsure of process.
Called the brake fluid situation, mine was atrocious but took me a bit longer to realise... Three calipers later! Glad you've caught that early on. Worth keeping on top of though, especially with how cheap fluid is.
Header tanks do fail, it's caused by the metal sleeve in the pipes expanding with corrosion and splitting the plastic. Not worth gambling on finding one from a used car as fairly cheap from Volvo. Definitely replace the cap too - if you have the grey cap it's the original item and almost definitely going to be leaking.
Strut braces are rare, seen 2 for sale in the last 3 weeks though. As much as I hate the site Facebook is actually pretty good for finding them. They were quite a common option in the P80 C70s so try breakers of those.
I'm really looking forward to your leather repair stuff, need to touch up my armrest but unsure of process.
Cookeh said:
Ah excellent stuff, good to see it's not collapsed or coiled! OEM stuff is Bilstein, but a lot of people seem to swap in Meyle Shocks - slightly more compliant ride apparently. I'm on Bilsteins and have no complaints, but they are more expensive. Cheapest place I found for shocks and springs was partsforvolvosonline.com. Great place for most service items and ship very quickly.
Called the brake fluid situation, mine was atrocious but took me a bit longer to realise... Three calipers later! Glad you've caught that early on. Worth keeping on top of though, especially with how cheap fluid is.
Header tanks do fail, it's caused by the metal sleeve in the pipes expanding with corrosion and splitting the plastic. Not worth gambling on finding one from a used car as fairly cheap from Volvo. Definitely replace the cap too - if you have the grey cap it's the original item and almost definitely going to be leaking.
Strut braces are rare, seen 2 for sale in the last 3 weeks though. As much as I hate the site Facebook is actually pretty good for finding them. They were quite a common option in the P80 C70s so try breakers of those.
I'm really looking forward to your leather repair stuff, need to touch up my armrest but unsure of process.
Called the brake fluid situation, mine was atrocious but took me a bit longer to realise... Three calipers later! Glad you've caught that early on. Worth keeping on top of though, especially with how cheap fluid is.
Header tanks do fail, it's caused by the metal sleeve in the pipes expanding with corrosion and splitting the plastic. Not worth gambling on finding one from a used car as fairly cheap from Volvo. Definitely replace the cap too - if you have the grey cap it's the original item and almost definitely going to be leaking.
Strut braces are rare, seen 2 for sale in the last 3 weeks though. As much as I hate the site Facebook is actually pretty good for finding them. They were quite a common option in the P80 C70s so try breakers of those.
I'm really looking forward to your leather repair stuff, need to touch up my armrest but unsure of process.
So, taking her over on Wednesday, due to lack of any meaningful history this stint will now be brake fluid flush and change, new cam belt (sets base line again plus huge peace of mind...), and the niggly bits found on Saturday....
If leather kit arrives tomorrow I'll make a start.... probably take a while, looks like at least 5 cows were used in the making of the interior
I'll detail the process... I did the Aston last year and what a difference... plus the smell... MmmmmmOther stuff can wait a while, but I am very much in the market for (original Volvo) strut brace and roof rails....
Richard
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