I have a 90 745 with the 16v engine. Honestly I wish I bought a turbo instead. I don't know about the 900s but the 700s have a different FI system, trans. rear diff. and all kinds of other little things. It's often difficult to get parts quickly. They're usually more expensive. My mech. has never seen another 16v volvo engine and I've never seen another one either. There is also the Tbelt thing, oil pump bolt, etc. Turbo's are MUCH more common and faster, probably only a little more expensive. I've heard that it's hard to find a 16v head for less than $1500 U.S. should you expereince a Tbelt failure. Volvo charged the dealer I bought it from $1000 to put a Tbelt on mine, that includes a crank pulley (part of the deal haha!).
Don't get me wrong, I love my car. It runs great. The b230 doesn't have near the power curve as the 16v.
I'm sure the car your looking at is a good car, just be advised that it is a wierd engine. Talk to your mech. see how he feels. Ask him what he wants for a Tbelt job.

- Nate

Since the car is made in Canada, its entirely possible for the GLE to have a B234 engine. This engine is an interfenece engine and if the timing belt breaks , it gets expensive real quick. Check the FAQ on this engine and throughly understand what your getting into if you decide to go ahead with the purchase.

On the Nivomats on the rear end. I think only the models with IRS had this type of shock. I do have the only 940 model with IRS which is a 91 940 SE. The diameter of the nivomat shocks is much larger than the standard shocks.

Thanks for your help and thoughts!

Tim

I wouldnt worry to much about the year thing...my experience with volvo's is that you basically never believe anything...I have ceratinly seen the *wrong* bits on cars that were defiantely *right*.

Basically the year stuff is a good guide...but for instance I have a 940 turbo with what I am assured is a 760 loom...and some early 940 turbo's had this ..

its all one big evolution...basically they are all bitzers...but damn good bits!

as to the car...its a brick, it will have its foibles and its exentiricities, you will love it, hate it then love it some more..if you want boring reliability and lack of personality go buy a honoytaissen....made in japan eetc.

make sure you reed the faq on the 16 valve stuff and its an interferance engine...i.e. if th cam belt goes big $$$ so get it changed on the day you buy and budget accordingly (might as well do seals on other belts as well )

hey for me 8 more valves than a self respecting brick needs..but then my brother maintains that my turbo and cat ar two items a brick doesnt need...so if you like it, it feels right and no obvious defects...

oh and as always take someone who REALLY knows that particular car with you who has a very sceptical eye and get them to tell you whats wrong with it...they will spot things you wont, not because they know more (although they may) but because they dont WANT to buy it...you do so you have rose tinted glasses on!

Hope its a good one!

I think that the GLE 16v might have been offered in Canada in 1992.
--
1992 940 wagon, very low miles
as well as others.