Volvo 480 buying tips. - Page 2

ElCoasa · Dec 4th, 2015, 09:50

Well, to be honest, I am a really lucky owner of a K reg, rust free, problem free (ok, not 100% free, but nothing major) Turbo 480 and I love it. I might be subjective as it is one of the cars I dreamed of ever since I was a teen, but I think it is a great little car.

Bought mine 10 months ago, £775, around 50k miles (around because the dash was changed and it the new ones reads around 124k miles; however, the MOTs and service logs show that it had around 42k in 2012 when the dash was changed). It's a fun to drive car, feels different and indeed it does put a smile on my face every time I take it out for a ride.

Didn't change anything - actually today I left it with Involve in West Norwood for MOT and service. The only two problems, as mentioned above, are the speedo (worked 112 miles this year) and the window winder (tried to fix it myself, but failed miserably). Other than this, all fine.

So if you really like want one of these and you are willing to accept the little flaws (and the not very light steering, probably something specific to 80s caras), then you'll have loads of fun

Best of luck!

reggit · Dec 20th, 2015, 21:32

I love the 480's, have had 3 in the past, an ES and 2 turbos.

The speedo's in the 480 are electric, the one in the ES was playing up in mine, it worked when it wanted to.

The main problem I had with the info centre was a little halogen bulb which illuminates it from the rear blowing. It cost about a tenner when I last had one, about 11 years ago. So you'd need to see if you can still get them.

The turbos seem really held back in standard trim, the boost gauge goes about half way and stops dead. I found a little tinkering with the wastegate reaped large rewards, I ran mine running way more boost than Volvo intended for around 3 years (130 mile commute a day) with no ill effects. Whether you'd want to do that now the parts are in shorter supply I don't know.

Other than that, I think most things have been mentioned, rear lights always cloud over and crack, and check the headlights raise together and the motors don't squeal.

The leather seats in some 480's are probably the most comfortable I've ever sat in, including my current V70.

doingitsideways · Dec 21st, 2015, 00:22

Mine's gone now

Dec 20th, 2015, 21:32	#12
reggit Premier Member Last Online: May 20th, 2024 20:57 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Preston	I love the 480's, have had 3 in the past, an ES and 2 turbos. The speedo's in the 480 are electric, the one in the ES was playing up in mine, it worked when it wanted to. The main problem I had with the info centre was a little halogen bulb which illuminates it from the rear blowing. It cost about a tenner when I last had one, about 11 years ago. So you'd need to see if you can still get them. The turbos seem really held back in standard trim, the boost gauge goes about half way and stops dead. I found a little tinkering with the wastegate reaped large rewards, I ran mine running way more boost than Volvo intended for around 3 years (130 mile commute a day) with no ill effects. Whether you'd want to do that now the parts are in shorter supply I don't know. Other than that, I think most things have been mentioned, rear lights always cloud over and crack, and check the headlights raise together and the motors don't squeal. The leather seats in some 480's are probably the most comfortable I've ever sat in, including my current V70. __________________ 2009 Volvo V70 D5 (Polestar 225bhp) r-design 180,000 miles

Dec 21st, 2015, 00:22	#13
doingitsideways The Daddy Last Online: Feb 29th, 2024 15:07 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Manchester	Mine's gone now __________________ XC90 V8 Exec, C70 2.4T Convertible, S70 T5 CD, 850 TDI, 2 x Escort vans and a 2.8i Capri. Clearout has begun, but must continue!

Dec 4th, 2015, 09:50	#11
ElCoasa New Member Last Online: Mar 26th, 2023 16:59 Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: London	Well, to be honest, I am a really lucky owner of a K reg, rust free, problem free (ok, not 100% free, but nothing major) Turbo 480 and I love it. I might be subjective as it is one of the cars I dreamed of ever since I was a teen, but I think it is a great little car. Bought mine 10 months ago, £775, around 50k miles (around because the dash was changed and it the new ones reads around 124k miles; however, the MOTs and service logs show that it had around 42k in 2012 when the dash was changed). It's a fun to drive car, feels different and indeed it does put a smile on my face every time I take it out for a ride. Didn't change anything - actually today I left it with Involve in West Norwood for MOT and service. The only two problems, as mentioned above, are the speedo (worked 112 miles this year) and the window winder (tried to fix it myself, but failed miserably). Other than this, all fine. So if you really like want one of these and you are willing to accept the little flaws (and the not very light steering, probably something specific to 80s caras), then you'll have loads of fun Best of luck!

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