OK I've be looking at the 480 for a while now. The question is should I go for one? So come on the guys with the knowledge educate me on the cons and cons. I am presuming there aren't going to be to many pros.
Timing... Jamesy's just broken his lovely turbo 'cos he couldn't sell it! Cons and cons is definitely right though :lol: Biggest enemy of any 400 series is rust, most in the rear arches and rear end of the cills. Rear light seals leak and let water into the boot, making the boot floor and rear floor pan rot. Speaking of the rear lights, they fade, go brittle and crack. They're mucho expensive to replace. Electrics are temperamental, most specifically the info centre (Blakes 7 style digital dash, so cool though) and pop-up headlight motors. Chassis is pretty good, apparently designed by Lotus, then Volvo buggered it up by softening it. A subtle drop makes the world of difference and makes them handle like a go-kart. You always feel like you're doing a million mph anyway, as you're sat on the floor. Simple design, macpherson struts and wishbones up front, with a coil sprung deadbeam at the back. Brakes. Crap. Next. Lol Vented front discs on the Turbo, solids on all the others. Rear discs on all, ABS on all but the very early ones. Early ABS parts are getting pretty hard to find. Gearboxes: 5 speed manual pretty strong until abused, Turbo's innards are apparently stronger. 4 speed auto ok until boost hikes as the built in cooler is pants. Engines: All are Renault sourced SOHC units, all multi point injection. 1.7 N/A - 109bhp, pretty robust little units. Not all that exciting, but willing enough. 2.0 N/A - 110bhp, again pretty tough, loads of low down torque and loves to rev, brought in later on to replace the Turbo. 1.7 Turbo - 120bhp. Porsche developed turbo system apparently made around 170bhp when returned to Volvo, but Volvo thought that would be far too much fun so detuned it. Tiny T2 turbo has almost no lag, modded ecu available on 480 club forums that bring the power back to roughly intended levels. More complex control systems can be tempremental, but generally relliable with known common faults. Not all that much power by modern standards, but they only weigh just over a tonne, less if you get a rusty one, making them hilarious. Basically, buy one now while they're cheap. I still miss mine terribly. I can't say that about many cars I've had.
Go and have a good butcher's around The 480 Club Forum. Invaluable source of info and spares.
So this is the car.... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301952608054 I'm tempted. Any further thoughts?
Looks fairly solid. The arches look salvageable without having to graft new metal in. Windscreen is the biggest ballache, but if nothing a used replacement and a some beer tokens at your local independent windscreen place couldn't sort. Don't think new screens are available, but you never know. Odometer problem will most likely be a busted cog or faulty stepper motor. Looks ok to me. I always kinda liked the two-tones. Not too many of them about. 1.7 N/A, so not all that quick in reality, but will feel quick enough. These days I'd be more likely to buy on bodywork condition over engine anyway, I say go for it. What's your limit? Edit: Just looked at the Dropbox pics and at least one rear light is completely shagged. New ones are available... For a price!
Er what Steve said! Bit rough that one though, for a couple of hundred quid yes no probs but anything more that I would pass My turbo was 600 quid years ago and that was in better nick than the linked one. MOT for a start off [I]MOT history of this vehicle Test date: 16 April 2015 Expiry date: 15 April 2016 Test Result: Pass Odometer reading: 117,402 miles MOT test number: 6097 8680 5179 Advisory notice item(s): rear brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3) Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b) Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2) Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b) Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d) Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c) Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d) Wing mirror covers missing O/S/ Mirror cracked but still gives good view to rear Drivers door lock mechanism not working but can be unlocked from inside. Rear brake discs corroded Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components Front brake discs corroded Rear stabiliser arm bushs deteriorated Test date: 15 April 2015 Test Result: Fail Odometer reading: 117,402 miles MOT test number: 5398 4540 5180 Reason(s) for failure: Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2) Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2) Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2) Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3) Advisory notice item(s): rear brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3) Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b) Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2) Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b) Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d) Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c) Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d) Wing mirror covers missing O/S/ Mirror cracked but still gives good view to rear Drivers door lock mechanism not working but can be unlocked from inside. Rear brake discs corroded Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components Front brake discs corroded Rear stabiliser arm bushs deteriorated[/I]
Ah, the penny drops. Would probably need a big chunk of work to get through an MOT now, looking at that list from last time. Shame.
Went to see it last night and the body is solid. I was taken for a drive (On private roads) and there were no nasty noises. But the guy confirmed that non of the advisory work was carried out.... Looking at the price of the rear lights - €390 each and a new windscreen at £150 not fitted I think I will give it a miss. I am in no rush so I will keep my eye out for one but get the feeling I should have bought the one I saw between Christmas and New Year. A 2.0 litre in silver with full blue leather interior. Was at a dealer in Luton and advertised for £650.00 with 12 months ticket.
Fair enough.
It's all a waiting game with these.
2.0 is a good choice to be fair.
Feels quick enough and loves to rev like I said.
I used to absolutely thrash mine and it never complained.
It's currently being broken though due to terminal rot :(
If you find a good Celebration (last of the line) or GT, go for it.
Here's mine in a previous life:
And Jamesy's...
Sorry mate :(