I have scoured a lot of websites looking for the stock performance stats of the 96 and 97 850 R sedan and wagon. Can someone direct me to a reputable site for the HP, Torque and 0-60 numbers? Every time I look on the Edmunds site, they seem to have a different number. Also, any advice when looking for a used one? I am looking to purchase a 96 or 97 850 R or maybe a 98 T5 in the spring and would appreciate any advice. I already own a 91 744 T, so I am no stranger to the outward things to look for in a used Volvo, but if there is anything that may escape the notice of the average person, I wouldn't mind knowing before I buy the car. Lastly, any opinions on 850 vs S/V70 would be greatly appreciated.

In US (at least), the '95, '96 R models were a bit of a joke in terms of

power increase. (If you didn't expect any extra power you'd not be

disappointed!) The extra power was merely an extra algorithm in the ECU

that'd permit slightly (~ 1 psi) higher boost for up to either (depending

upon what source you believe) 7 or 30 seconds.

I've never seen any sort of specs or even a clue as to the threshholds for

the algorithm. For instance, after the X seconds of +1 psi boost, how long

(or how cool, or who-knows-what) before it is available again? Is the

+1 only available several times without restarting the engine? No one

(who) knows (is saying).

My previous turbo car's ecu would reduce its level for maximum boost

once said max boost level had been exceeded 3 times since the engine had

been started. Well putting in the K&N air filter was enough to cause that

to happen on strong upshifts. After that I could never be 100% sure how

the engine was about to respond in critical passing situations, which was

no confidence-builder, let me tell you. So now I am leery of engines that

are strong one minute and not so strong the next... If the [extra] power

is not always there you cannot count on it, and if you cannot count on it,

it may as well not be there, for if you ever count on it when it's not there...

I don't buy that donkey dung about -R model engines being stronger

internally. It's just a slight software tweak; an aftermarket ECU will

cause the engine to produce more power; once an -R model's had its ECU

upgraded, the engine is no different from a std turbo model's ECU-upgraded

engine.

'97 850s are half-breeds, with some/many/most? of the then-upcoming 70's

unibody improvements using more proven switchgear and other bits. It's the

one I'd go for, even though it requires a special tool to reset the oil

change interval reminder (unlike '94-5 and also newer models). (But the

unibody weighs slightly more, so if all you care about is straight-line

acceleration...) If the body color was wisely chosen, the not-body-color

bumper caps not only are not ugly, they are hardly noticeable (and are much

more durable/[ab]usable IMO). But, given the color (lack of) choices,

that'd probably mean a black R car...

I'm intrigued by the upcoming S60R's active suspension, but if the "R"

means paying thousands extra for now-you-see-it-now-you-don't marginal

improvements, as it did 6 years ago, I may have to make new friends at the

audi dealer some day...

- Dave; '95 854T, 120K mi

well, here is one more website for you

http://www.car-stats.com/

It just gives 0-60 of the 850R but all numbers on the S70 T5 as reported by Motor Trend.

The S70 does have a bit more power and is a hair lighter, so it is the faster of the 2 in a straight line. I can't speak to the handling of the 850R. I do know that an S70 T5 with the sport suspension is quite nimble. I was able to get a nice little drift out of one that I test drove. I ended up buying one without the sport suspension, but not by choice. I would love to get the sport suspension for mine when I can afford it.

Personally, I think the style of the S70 is also a bit more refined. Not quite as awkward looking as the 850. But, of course, that is highly subjective.

good luck.

We own a 95 855 (normally aspirated) and a 98 S70 T5M.

The 70 series offers a much smoother ride then the

855 and I would image it would be even smoother then

the 850 R models. For real world conditions, I prefer the

70 series. However, the 855, with its stiff suspension

and smaller, less performance oriented tires, does handle

surprisingly well and it can be a lot of fun to drive (as long

as you don't want to accelerate fast). An 850 T5 or R model

would probably be considered more performance oriented then the

70 series T5s.

My T5 with a manual transmission can easily overwhelm the

tires. Acceleration runs would vary greatly by driver

skill and conditions. Time it slightly wrong and you

just spin the tires and bounce off the rev limiter.

2nd gear shifts can also spin the tires if done wrong.

I think 5 to 60 mph numbers would be better to compare if

they were available. Welcome to the world of high-powered

FWD cars :)

The 70 series also has beefed up B pillers for better side

impact protection and they did some work on the knee bolster

area, too. 99 models air bags also provide head protection

(earlier side airbags offer chest protection but do not extend

to protect the head).

If you come on to the UK Volvo Owner's Club site, you'll be able to get reliable specs on the R and the T5-R, which are slightly different vehicles.

The V/S70R is also dealt with, though of course in the US the manual option is a very rare beast on all these cars.

Briefly though, the T5-R is a homologation special based on the 850 T5 engine, which was "productionised" for the R successor with stronger internal engine components.

This stronger engine was carried through to the 70 series T5 and R cars.

Spec changes vary according to market and year, so what's on the car is very difficult to predict, but from my experience Rs should have leather/alcantara seats, two power seats at the front, A/C, cruise control, electric sunroof and headlamp wash-wipe plus all the usual top-spec 850 toys.

I would imagine that estates will also have levelling headlights and may have self-levelling suspension as standard.

All Rs are incredibly heavy on fuel, even by Volvo standards - though of course you US SUV drivers will not worry about that!

I get about 20 mpg on motorways and around 16-19 in town, this is with a manual box and seems to be completely independent of driving style. (UK gallons, BTW)

70 vs. 850? well it depends on price, availability and vehicle condition - the 70 series are better sorted regarding dash layout and creaking and the saloons don't have those awful clogging drain holes, but you have the problem of pretty but vulnerable body-colour bumpers and rubbing strips - I prefer the grey plastic protection myself.

Service history is even more essential than with lower spec cars, and watch for accident repair.

I'd buy from an enthusiast or from a dealer and get a mechanical warranty - if there's any reluctance on the dealer's part to do this, walk away fast.

Others more knowledgeable than I will give you more details, but the 70's are an update of the 850's. Stylistically more rounded, some engineering updates (70 ride is less jittery), but fundamentally the same car.