Well, It looks like I may get the Volvo after all. Finding a Nissan Sentra SE (5 speed) is proving to be more difficult than I'd expected.

My folks '95 850 Turbo Gold Edition is in good shape. Has had no major problems with a tad under 39k miles. The engine compartment is mega dirty, and I'm guessing the air cleaner may need to be replaced, as well cleaning of the throttle body.

My parents used midgrad fuel for most of the 39k miles, which is like 89/90 octane fuel. I know that these Volvo turbo engines need premium fuel (91/92), and I'm wondering if the years of using midgrad fuel will have any negative effects on the engine? Will this shorten the life, or cause detonation (none that is audible), and even problems for the motor? Keep in mind my parents NEVER use sport mode or go WOT (full throttle), they drive it pretty easy.

Any ideas? Any way to check it out, and see if the engine is A-OK? Of course, if I buy my folks Volvo I will use premium fuel.

Thanks!

Congratulations!

What the heck is "Gold Edition"?? I never heard of such thing...

Yannis
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2001 V70 T-5M SR, Classic Red/Graphite Lthr., ipd ME7 ECU Upgrade, K&N Air Filter, Cold Weather, Dolby Surr. Sound, Rear Spoiler, 17' 'Tethys' alloys

I have a 1994 850Turbo and used nothing but 87 octan gas and have no problem with it.. car run strong no lack of power...

I use 91 octan before can not see the different in power.. but I do know it leave a big hole in my wallet...

I also own a Lotus turbo Espirt.. I use 87 octan for year no problem

You only use 92 octan when your car giving a ping problem when you go up hill

I go up hill with 87 octan no ping .. on all my car..

my daily car is a 635CSI BMW I also run it 87 octan since new new it have 167,000 mile on it and still going strong

Personly I do not feel the benefit to spend more on gas bill

But most guy you know like to drag about their car and like to have nothing but the best in their car.. the more you paid the better you fell but too me this is a wasted of $$$$$

some even spend thoundsand on after market to make car run faster .. but these are all gimik... freind of mine use carbon fiber brake rotor super expensive brake pad on his street car what good does it do his car is not Indy 500 it car never 240mph... these only work on race car not street...
save your money.. every time you get to the pump use 87 unless car run poor or ping than go up on octan..

Although 91 octane fuel is recomended by Volvo, the ECU will automatically compensate for 87 octane fuel by retarding the timing so that it does not "ping". For the best in performance a grade of 91 or above should be used. With the recent increase in gas prices I have taken to filling up with 2/3 93 grade and one third regular, a bit longer at the pump but I save a few dollars each week and get satisfactory performance.
John Scales (1996 850R)

Good points, thanks alot for the feedback. Well see, I drive very aggressively, so if the ECM retards the timing = less performance, that wouldn't be good. I don't think 87 has ever been filled, only 89 and 90. If I went with a midgrade 90 octane ethanol blend, would I still get the more aggressive performance?

like a hooker once said...."you gotta pay to play"....
if you want aggressive performance, use the good stuff and pay the premium, if not...well....
getting aggressive performance and trying to save on gas is as contradictory as you can get. take one or the other.
regards