I've been recently shopping around for an 850 for my girlfriend. Toaday we test drove a 95' with only 89,000 miles on it. To get to the chase I was wondering what would cause vibration when at a standstill foot on brake I then took the car in and out of gears, from drive to reverse it then made the vibration and funny noise. Could this only mean the car needs a tranny flush or is the tranny failing, doubt do to the mileage. One other thing is that there was a small amount of oil coming from around the oil cap. There is a plastic hose looking thing that seems to run just below the cap. Likely to be a cam cover gasket leak? Not sure. I would really appreciate any advise, currently drive a 90' 740 with 162,000 not up to date on newer Volvo's.
P.S. Sticker price $5,995 got down to $5,250, should i go lower
Thanks everyone

Honestly if it was my girlfriend I don't think I'd be trying to put her into a ten year old 850. Look around for a BMW 325 or 525/530. You are going to saddle her with maintenance problems with the 850, and unless you are a hell of a mechanic and can get parts at wholesale prices you are gonna get a huge headache and cause her a lot of trouble. These cars were good when they were new but really become maintenance pigs as they get older. I have one sitting in my garage, right beside a BMW, and by far the BMW is much easier to live with. Plus the front wheel drive 850 isn't that great a ride compared to the BMW's rear wheel drive. Maybe it does better in the snow but we live in south Florida and for me the snow benefits are not a factor. My wife has a sick sentimental attachment to her Volvo but we won't buy another one. I'm just speaking honestly here. Not meaning to hurt anybody's feelings or anything but a used ten year old 850 would be at the bottom of my shopping list, just above the AMC Pacer.


Mike
'95 850T

Mike,

Which BMW do you have ? In Boston, BMW is much worst than my 95 850. I asked the BMW dealer tech about his comment of BMW in winter/snow driving, his answer was no comment.... Go figure. My co-worker, when he bought his 330, he had to get a AWD version of the 3-series. He would not get the regular RWD version of the 3-series. Unfortunately, 5-series has not AWD, only the new coming wagon has AWD. I drove my 2005 530i last week after a snow storm, wheel spins all the times even when the dynamic traction control came on most of the time.

So, I only drive BMW when there is no snow on the road. Otherwise, 850 is the best so far. Newer BMW is also difficult to maintain yourself. Not as easy as the 850.

Ching-Ho Cheng
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1995 855 NA, Bilstein Strut & Shocks, Volvo Protective Grill, K&N Filter, E-Code Lens, ClearCorner Light, Alpine CD-Changer, AutoDim RearView Mirror, 6000K HID

Yes the front wheel drive 850 shines in the snow compared to the rear wheel drive BMWs. But a 20 year old K-car would too. We have had 4 BMWs in the past 16 years 535is, 540, 325is, and the current 530. All were a pleasure to drive and handled with the typical BMW predictability. No major maintenance issues, no A/C problems, no brake problems, no tranny problems. Just great reliable cars. I know you can work on your car and you've had it a long time and know it well, but a guy's girlfriend isn't gonna be able to do that with the ten year old 850 bought off some used car lot. I don't drive in the snow so I don't care about that aspect of it's handling. I don't think anybody should drive in the snow, it should be a state holiday anyway :)


Mike
'95 850T

Hey,
Tranny is the foremost weakness for this brick.
My question to the seller is why is it being sold???
Because of the tranny???
My advice is to take it to a shop before making an offer.
Oil leak is no biggie, probably just needs a filler cap gasket.
Cheers,
Armie

Oh yeah one other thing, I live in WIsconsin and as you know it is pretty chilly this time of year, how would i check the A/C. Just turn it on and make sure the compressor isn't whinning and the air is super cool. Not sure how to check it. Thanks again for all your advice, it is very helpful.

Probably the only way is to get it heated up good and warm in the cabin by taking it for a nice test drive, and then once interior temp is up, hit the ac and feel the vents. And, you should hear the compressor engage.

But, have the mechanic check it out, as they have ways to check it that may be more reliable and accurate.

Check he upper torque mount. When look in that the engine, it runs from the firewall to the right side of the engine, and there is a rubber mount that will crack and fail, and cause movement of the powertrain.

The oil cap gasket is probably hard and and brittle which will cause seepage, but you want to ensure the PCV system is working properly. Have an independent Volvo mechanic check it out.

Also, make sure the A/C is working, as the condensors tend to have already failed on these cars. If it is not working, knock another 1200 off the price.

If not already replaced, it is likely to need tie-rods, control arms (ball joint included as a one piece unit), and shocks/struts all around. If you do your own repairs and can tackle all of these items, parts will be approx $600-700.

Again, bring it to an indy or a Volvo dealer and have it checked out. This will give you the ammo you need to bargain this car down.

Turbo or not? turbo is valued higher, and you should take that into consideration also. Good luck and happy hunting!

BB

The rubber hose running down from the oil cap means that it is a turbo. You probably need a new gasket. Probably right about the motor mount, get a plastic one for replacement, that is a DIY. Check to see if the clutch on the compressor is working, if not, knock some $$ off. Sounds like a reasonable price to me. It would be good to have a local mechanic check it out with the current owner around. That way the owner can answer questions and agree to any "fixes". You have to pay the mechanic though, usually about $100.

Klaus
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98 V70Rawd(101Kmi), 95 854T(85K mi), 75 164E(173K mi)

FYI, I've got the rubber hose on my 98 V70 N/A.

Thanks for the advice BB. THe car is the GLT, so no turbo. But would be awesome to find one. Performance no good for girlfriend. Thanks again BB