Is it worth paying double just to have an R ?

**si850r** · Sunday 22nd May 2011, 11:42

i bought a auto 855r last year... Was kicking myself that it was an auto. But over time have got used to it and there is an extreme amount of fun in the kick down in sports mode..

**fyldetowbars** · Sunday 22nd May 2011, 11:44

no dont nothing but a headache i had an auto and most off the time once you turned the engine off it would not start for about half an hour bad box's

**si850r** · Sunday 22nd May 2011, 11:45

Originally Posted by fyldetowbars

no dont nothing but a headache i had an auto and most off the time once you turned the engine off it would not start for about half an hour bad box's

unlucky there mate....You most of just been unlucky with a bad motor

**LiamT4** · Sunday 22nd May 2011, 11:53

I think the R's are worth the extra, got a lot more on as standard.

As someone who drives an auto, i'd only get one if you are going to keep it relatively standard (and be happy with that), because if you want to go further there is the extra hassle of trying to get map thats good for the gearbox.

The 4spd autos that are in the 850s and s/v70s (phase 1) are great when cruising as they are so smooth you barely feel them change, but they've got such long gearing that as soon as you get into 3rd its - chug, chug, chug.
Well, thats what it feels like for me.

**si850r** · Sunday 22nd May 2011, 11:59

3rd is probaly one of the best on mine mate...I think its the same for all cars,,, soom are great some are not so great and then there s the crap ones....Its just luck of the draw mate I think.

**T5frankie** · Sunday 22nd May 2011, 11:59

Originally Posted by LiamT4

I think the R's are worth the extra, got a lot more on as standard.

As someone who drives an auto, i'd only get one if you are going to keep it relatively standard (and be happy with that), because if you want to go further there is the extra hassle of trying to get map thats good for the gearbox.

The 4spd autos that are in the 850s and s/v70s (phase 1) are great when cruising as they are so smooth you barely feel them change, but they've got such long gearing that as soon as you get into 3rd its - chug, chug, chug.
Well, thats what it feels like for me.

liam have you driven an 850 auto? they aint nice like your s70 mate

**LiamT4** · Sunday 22nd May 2011, 12:08

Originally Posted by si850r

3rd is probaly one of the best on mine mate...I think its the same for all cars,,, soom are great some are not so great and then there s the crap ones....Its just luck of the draw mate I think.

2nd gear is the best on mine.

Originally Posted by t5frankie

liam have you driven an 850 auto? they aint nice like your s70 mate

Not driven one, not sure about a passenger.

Think i'v been in pretty much every auto up to the s60r geartronic, but don't remember being in an 850.

**T5frankie** · Sunday 22nd May 2011, 12:10

the autos got better and better the early 1994 ones are crap, first gear changed too early and just felt rough

**Giles** · Sunday 22nd May 2011, 12:28

My R (for sale btw

) has the 16T turbo and white injectors......also has an M59 gearbox. As to whether it's worth paying the money for, that's down to the individual and what they want out of a car. If it's just a fast Volvo, get a T5, if it's for the former and the chance to own an icon, get an R.

**Giles** · Sunday 22nd May 2011, 12:30

Originally Posted by t5frankie

liam have you driven an 850 auto? they aint nice like your s70 mate

I have owned 3 Volvo's. T5 auto, R auto and R manual - in my opinion, i prefer the auto's.......maybe because of the drivability and kick-down, but I cant get on with the manual as well as the auto's........both my auto's were a dream to drive......loved them.

**Axl** · Sunday 22nd May 2011, 12:33

It's an auto I'll go for if any

**LiamT4** · Sunday 22nd May 2011, 12:36

Originally Posted by Giles

I have owned 3 Volvo's. T5 auto, R auto and R manual - in my opinion, i prefer the auto's.......maybe because of the drivability and kick-down, but I cant get on with the manual as well as the auto's........both my auto's were a dream to drive......loved them.

As an everyday car, i'll always pefer an auto, its just that now i want to take my car further its an extra barrier to overcome.

**T5frankie** · Sunday 22nd May 2011, 12:41

autos are nice for easy lazy driving when you cant be bothered but when you need that extra drivability a manual is best, nothing worse than being in an auto and in a little race when you go for the kickdown and it only goes down one gear not two and you get smoked lol

**Axl** · Sunday 22nd May 2011, 12:47

I thought when your foot right down there was a double click ie going down 2.....might be wrong though

**LiamT4** · Sunday 22nd May 2011, 12:51

Originally Posted by t5frankie

autos are nice for easy lazy driving when you cant be bothered but when you need that extra drivability a manual is best, nothing worse than being in an auto and in a little race when you go for the kickdown and it only goes down one gear not two and you get smoked lol

Theres always that delay when in an auto, they'll be in the "right" gear while yours will be in top, then when they boot it they are already accelerating while an auto is still dropping down.

Nearly happend to me yesterday when some numptys in a chavved up alfa tried to undertake me, they were alongside before mine started to go.
When they tried again though i was ready and it was me who got my foot down 1st and it was bye bye chavy alfa.

**martybelfastt5** · Sunday 22nd May 2011, 13:36

ive had the t5s then the t5r,with the t5 i found myself wanting it lower,front lip,rear R spoiler and wheels,could have easily bought an R with the money i spent.so if the R styling bites you might be worth just buying one,lol

**Flatout Phil** · Sunday 22nd May 2011, 13:54

The one thing that marks out the 850R - not the T5R - and not autos is the M59 gearbox with LSD. It is nice to have - compared to my old T5.
The thing about an R is that you do join a select (ha ha) band of owners

- and as someone said above, if you get a T5, you will wish you had an R. But I agree that the interior, especially the beige one, is a pain to maintain mainly because of the alcantara.
One thing that amazes me is how often people come up to me and tell me how much they have always loved 850s ever since they saw them in the BTCC - and the R and T5R are synonymous with that for those of us in the older generation!

**cherry1809** · Sunday 22nd May 2011, 17:38

I actually liked my auto, Worked well with the engine.
Having had the choice again though, Manual all the way

**t5 stealth** · Sunday 22nd May 2011, 18:44

Originally Posted by t5frankie

everyone who has a t5 always will hanker after an "R"

i wouldnt.........
aint much diffrence in either,
whats the point of paying twice as much just cos its got a couple of extra add ons..........
slightly more power (not gona be that noticable) as its carrying extra weight (odd interior and heavy elec seat )so it aint much in it.
they are both a ton and quarter of pig iron that is ££££ on fuel.
and most people on the street wouldnt even know what an R was ...

sorry to all you R owners...no disrespect meant

**T5frankie** · Sunday 22nd May 2011, 18:48

Originally Posted by t5 stealth

i wouldnt.........
aint much diffrence in either,
whats the point of paying twice as much just cos its got a couple of extra add ons..........
slightly more power (not gona be that noticable) as its carrying extra weight (odd interior and heavy elec seat )so it aint much in it.
they are both a ton and quarter of pig iron that is ££££ on fuel.
and most people on the street wouldnt even know what an R was ...

sorry to all you R owners...no disrespect meant

a ton and a half actually lol, its about having an "R" after all its the spec that makes it an "R", remember the t5 is the engine not the car, so what spec is your car? you wouldn't go around saying i have a glt would you? and it's about the looks for me the R's just look alot better