What makes an 'R'?

[chance]

Ah, I think I got Dave's swap the wrong way round. So:

The 17" T5-R five spoke is the Titan
The 17" 850R seven spoke is the Volan
The 16" V70R twisted five spoke is the Comet
The 18" 'new V70R' five spoke is the Pegasus

Is this correct?

So what is the name of the standard 16", five spoke 850T5 wheel, and didn't the V70R have a 17" five spoke option - or was this just a larger sized Comet?

[Mrsmopp]

Yep! Your exactly right. The comets also come in 17's on the s/v70R's.

And I cant for the life of me remember the name of the standard 850 alloys!!!

x

[Bracer]

Columbas = T5 in 16" only

Titans = T-5R in 17" only

Volans = 850R in 17" only

Comets = S70R & V70R in 16" & 17"

Pegasus = S60R & V70R in 17" & 18"

[chance]

More confusion; there are two cars in the 'for sale' area that claim to be T-5R models (not 850R), but they're in olive green. I understood that black or yellow were the only colour choices - am I wrong or are these cars replicas? They seem to have the correct badging, seat trim, wheels etc.

Is there a sure-fire way to spot the real thing? Chassis numbers?

[Mrsmopp]

T5R's came in yellow, black and olive green

x

[Goof]

To get a 850R / T5R (well, an "R") will cost more than an 850 T-5.
However, you can get well specced ones:-

My 850 T-5 doesn't seem to have a trim level - it had been specced up with options by the original owner:-

854, black, manual, Volvo lowered susp, full leather, premium 6 CD audio, A/C, centre booster seat, elec sunroof, 4 x elec windows, heated mirrors (std fit?), front fogs, remote alarm immob.

I bought this last Oct from a dealer in the Mids, it has full s.h. and old MoTs, - cost me £1995.

There are 850 T-5 bargains out there! - T5R not so.

You could find the right T5 and tweak it as you wish with the money you'll save over a T5R.

[Wobbly Dave]

I think my original wheels (16" Comets) must have been a special option as I would have expected 17" Volans.

Also found that the exclusive floor mats that you can no longer get had been sold/removed from her when I bought her - but alas I did not have the depth of knowledge I have now.

R Variants will always be the best IMHO

[Mrsmopp]

The only difference between say J's CD spec and Dave's R is the half suede interior - if you want to pay and extra 2k for that then its worth it!

x

[adamt5r]

hi,
i have a T5R, ride is great, front bumper clearence is ok, performance is superb(315bhp), i have an lsd in mine and its original????? go for an R your'll love it

[Wobbly Dave]

The only difference between say J's CD spec and Dave's R is the half suede interior - if you want to pay and extra 2k for that then its worth it!

x

Not to start with it wasnt!! Suspension, ECU, exterior styling and wheels. And, and, and ! it's got an R on the back

[wright_t5]

Hi,

Is your car lowered? and Where did you get your windows tinted done, and how much?

[Mrsmopp]

Not to start with it wasnt!! Suspension, ECU, exterior styling and wheels. And, and, and ! it's got an R on the back

No but its now quicker than yours and he has spent a lot less money - so like i say Its just the interior and an R badge.

x

[chance]

Though I note Dave's comments regarding originality (there's nothing quite like the real thing), I think I've come down on the side of building my own 'R' (from an 850T5 or V70 T5) rather than finding an original car for a number of reasons:

1) I'd like the full leather rather than the Alcantara mix - don't fancy the chances of the Alcantara surviving 3 children's sticky deposits.
2) Wider colour choice - though I'd always favour the black as a first choice and olive second, at least I'd have a choice should a nice example catch my eye. Silver anyone? Was there a dark silver grey T5 offered?
3) Cheaper purchase price, though this is offset by the parts necessary for a true R-spec.
4) Wider choice of cars - much more likely to find a good T5 in a nice colour and lower mileage.
5) Sheer hell of it - there's something very satisfying in building up your own hot-rod.
6) I can always recoup some of the costs by keeping the new parts to sell-on or transfer to my next Volvo.

I'll be looking for the car in the early summer, as soon as I can sell my '99 Alfa 156 (great, but too small) and my father's '91 XJ6. Before that I want to start collecting the necessary 'R' parts either new, used, ebay, etc. So I need a little help on a few choices.

Wheels
Bracer and Cloudboy recommended the Pegasus 5-spoke wheels from the new-shape T5R, possibly cheaper and easier to find than original Titans (unless someone can offer me a set?). I'd like a set of the 17" rather than 18"; I haven't checked with Volvo yet but does anyone have an approximate price and know if these wheels have the same PCD and offset as the Titans? I fitted a set of replica AMG wheels to a Mercedes a while back and they stuck out far too much. Also, are they available in the graphite finish? I know the 18" are.

I'll ask other questions as we go along - don't want to overburden you all!

[Bracer]

Pegs drop staight on

Send me £600 and you can have my set of 5 Titans

[Pedro Fandango]

can't believe no-one mentioned that the rear spoiler on the T-5R/R's 854's is different to normal T-5's

BT is badged as a T-5R & even confused a high up official at a Volvo concours show, just fit the R front bumper, 17"/18"s & change the badge on the back job done

[Bracer]

The 850R had a different rear spoiler to the T5's also, it has an extra black edge at a more Acute angle.

[chance]

Sorry to keep harping on this, but I think that this forum of all places should be the place that can identify the genuine article.

I've just aquired an original T-5R brochure which lists the available spec on the saloon and estate. According to the list a genuine T-5R should have the obvious body and wheel additions, black walnut dash, the Amaretta/Leather-mix seats, climate control, electric seats and sunroof - and was only available in cream Yellow or Black. The only options listed are a choice of two body styles, two transmissions and two colours.

So how does this account for all those Olive examples with full leather I keep seeing advertised? Someone above mentioned that Olive was an optional colour - well not according to the brochures or the admittedly less than knowledgeable people I've spoken to at Volvo. Were there options such as full leather available?

I'm quite prepared to buy a T5 dressed as an R if the owner is up-front about it and it's possible to check exactly what work has been done. What I object to is the blatant con of passing-off a T5 as a genuine limited edition R model and adding a couple of grand to the asking price.

Does anyone know who you contact at Volvo to check the original details of a chassis number?

[Mrsmopp]

Yes, if you give volvo the chasis number they will be able to give you all the details of the car as it came from the factory - any additions or alterations - a sure why to make sure its the general atricle!

There are definately Olive T5R's - Olive Black and Yellow. I cant imagine anyone wanting to swap there leather/suede interior for the full leather so be wary of anything that is full leather only.

x

[chance]

Forgot to ask previously - was the T-5R's black paint solid or metallic?

And was the 850R available in all of the standard colours or a limited range?

[Mrsmopp]

The 850R came in graphite grey, black, red, olive (and I think there was another colour but I cant be sure...)

As for the solid or metalic paint I'm not sure - someone on here will know tho!

x