The search has started... new Camera Machine – 850

[Diabolu]

Gooooood evening everyone! I was nudged this direction by a few of you, JamesT5R, Ade and Mr insane double engined Volvo and I've been doing a little research and getting very confused.

I'm currently pottering up and down motorways in England in a very spaceship shaped '86 Honda Aerodeck on photoshoots, but the miles are piling up and I'm finding I'm needing more luggage space for flashes, lights stands etc. and a nice low and long rear bed for some tracking shots would be great too!

A nice 850 estate is looking like the best contender and checking out a few at RRG really has whet my appetite for one too.

The question is, what spec list should I be looking out for? Some criteria for you.

Pretty much needs to be a diesel. The MPG is the main reason I changed from my V8 Series Landie to the Aerodeck, but I now need a step further. The more I save on travel, the more I make on the shoot, as it were. Is it just the 2.5 diesel in this era?

Not too worried about the gearbox. Swaying towards an Auto but curious as to how they perform.

I'm not too worried about the colour as I'm heavily considering a respray when it comes (Ade has convinced me away from the matt black bonnet though haha) but a Dark colour would help my OCD around the engine bay etc as it will probably be a dark blue/green spray job.

Interior? Well what's the spec list like across the models? What can I expect? I'm kinda hoping for a tape deck as I bought a number of tapes to play in the Aerodeck and dug out some of mine from my teenage years to, so I'm guessing a tape deck came as standard anyway.

I do like the split leather/suede seats, but I THINK they're R only, yes? Looks like a scrappy job for that and fit them myself. Could be a good bargaining tool if the seats are in poor nick.

After that I'm sure I'll end up dropping some more R aesthetics on and lowering it a fair bit. I've seen a couple of V70 tailgates going on... is that purely because they're easier to get hold of?

What other practical modifications should I be thinking about budgeting for?

SO SO excited, but I've got a good 5-6 months to find this car so no rush. I'm 'capable' with my spanners and welder so not scared of a little repair work if needed

Other than that, thank you very much for putting up with my curious post, and thoroughly look forward to catching up with you all!

Chris!

[Wobbly Dave]

Welcome if poke with a good mileage is what you desire then I reckon a euro 3 D5 (circa 2002) V70 will be pretty cheap & will lug whatever you want.

[claymore]

I don't think a P2 or P3 will be retro enough Dave

[Jamest5r]

Welcome

[WOODY T5]

Welcome

[MoleT-5R]

Welcome, you may get lucky enough to find a lpg converted 850 t5 that would be cheap to run and have plenty of poke

[M-R-P]

There's also the option of the V90/9** series oil burners? bigger and more comfy than the 850, not sure what the MPG will be like but there's a few LPG jobbies about.

[V70 Graham]

Welcome to the club, as has been said maybe hold out for one with LPG.

[klunk]

850 TDI's are great, Took me ages to find mine though as i wanted a manual , Its a right old snotter but i didnt pay much for it, There really doesnt seem to be many about/For sale these days, Obviously fuel consumption is brilliant compared to my T5, and it goes pretty well, The AEL engine is quite a revvy old lump and sounds half decent! Its the perfect daily for me, Thinking of tuning it a bit when i get some spare dosh, Only done an EGR blank ATM.

[Nealevo]

Id go for a 850 tdi, you can get good power gains with the right mods, interior can be picked up for a few hundred quid get a R front bumper and no one will know, just dont get ghasty green, they are very common.

[klunk]

Theres a guy on VOC giving away a P1 leather interior! Nothing wrong with a Matt black bonnet either!

[Diabolu]

Thank you very much guys!! LPG I hadn't even considered. Are LPG pumps a little more readily available now?

Thanks for the nod to the seats being easy to find, that's calmed my mind a little on that issue.

What about interior trim/options etc. Is there any optional extras which make a difference or sought after?

Definitely throwing some R mods on, I just think they look so strong with them. As for the 'stay away from the green'.... sounds like the colour choice has been made then... blue haha

So, still searching. Feel free to post up if you see any diesel lpg monsters

Chris!

[Nealevo]

Thank you very much guys!! LPG I hadn't even considered. Are LPG pumps a little more readily available now?

Thanks for the nod to the seats being easy to find, that's calmed my mind a little on that issue.

What about interior trim/options etc. Is there any optional extras which make a difference or sought after?

Definitely throwing some R mods on, I just think they look so strong with them. As for the 'stay away from the green'.... sounds like the colour choice has been made then... blue haha

So, still searching. Feel free to post up if you see any diesel lpg monsters

Chris!

Hi Chris,

I run LPG on my R and most shell garages, most motorway services and a few others sell LPG, if you are midlands based then you can join the farmer association and LPG is 52p a litre

interior is a simple swap as they are all interchangeable, model for model.

[Diabolu]

52p a litre??? WAIT... WHAT!!!! lol!!!

And I am indeed midlands based!

Anything to keep my eye out for when looking at lpg 'swaps'? Are there easy ways to spot bad installs?

Thank you guys!! Eye opener!

P.S. might I enquire as to the mpg?

[Jamest5r]

Waiting for Neal to post pics of his engine bay..............

[Nealevo]

LPG works out well, if your car does 22-25 on average (town) then price comparison works out at 40-44 mpg, on a run if you get 30 -35 then it 60 plus is achievable, but you have to factor in the £1800 install fee, if your buying second hand then that's not an issue, A good LPG has a service book so look for that, and you really want a quality multi point system as they are more efficient,

[Nealevo]

Waiting for Neal to post pics of his engine bay..............

Cant do it on my phone. No WiFi �� in hotel

[Jamest5r]

Cant do it on my phone. No WiFi �� in hotel

Not in Iceland already are you?

[Nealevo]

No mate, London, invictus games this week (humbled)

[Diabolu]

BANG! Sorted! Excited but a very very relaxed drive home hehe

V70 Camera Car resolved!