What's the difference between a Volvo 850 and V70 Classic? A look at two P80 Volvo Estates
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- čas přidán 11. 06. 2024
- The Volvo V70 replaced the 850 in 1996/7, but what are the key differences in aesthetics between these two cars? I parked my 850 alongside my V70 for a walkaround video. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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something to note between the 2 models is the digital odometer update on the 70 series cars.. that is HUGE. every single 850 i've ever owned (7) had a broken odometer gear. i've never had an 850 with TRUE or accurate mileage. the job itself to repair the odometer guarantees broken plastic bits. i hated doing it every time.
I recently fixed the dometer on my 850, fortunately no plastic clips were broken!
Yup, mine on the red 850 TDi is broken...
Again, not true. Most VDO odometers (those, where the gauges are on one single flat plane) tend to have a broken gear when they age. The Yazaki instrument clusters, which look like the ones from the V70/V40 do not, their gears practically never fail. Some places will sell you a replacement gear for them, but I never needed one.
The V70 also has Yazaki clusters exclusively.
Repair on the VDO clusters takes about an hour if you take your time and brew a tea alongside. Getting the cluster out of the dash without damaging/bending/breaking the dashpad is a whole nother story though. You really have to loosen all of the bolts and the airbag and take the whole upper dash off, or you are guaranteed to break the old plastic underneath the faux leather.
One reason to change to a VDO on an 850 though: The trip computer only works with those. There is supposed to be a rare variant for the Yazaki clusters, but I never found one and they are missing signals, so I doubt it.
On the V70, the computer is inside every cluster, but has to be activated by software from Volvo - and they charge a pretty penny for it.
@Kommunisator what isn't true? all you've done is basically paraphrase statements I've already made.. ALL 850 VDO ODO BREAK. 70 SERIES CARS UPDATED TO DIGITAL. the job requires the removal of the dash pad, which requires removal of the airbag.. which requires removal of the glovebox.. THEN once you remove the gage cluster, you've got to take IT apart to access the odo gears.. THEN put everything back together (reverse the process) - what planet are you from where ALL THIS ONLY TAKES AN HOUR?!
nobody knows the process better than me. stop reiterating my comment acting like it's yours and claiming you're right and im wrong lol
@@kitvexed8229 you stated that every 850 had the odo gear problem - that is not true, it is limited to those with VDO odos. The repair of the odo itself (taking it apart, changing the gear, putting it back together) takes an hour if you are very slow. The removal of the dash pad does also not take very long if you know what you are doing (just did it on my "new" car). Of course, if a lot of plastic parts are already broken there, the repairs (fixing the glovebox surround, fixing cracks in the dash with a plastic repair gun and 2K epoxy) will take the longest time. But those are not directly related to the odometer repair.
And I doubt that noone knows the process better than you. I highly doubt it. Did it the first time over 15 years ago, and I know lots of people who went through this. Lots of people who also did it half-assed and only lifted the dash partly, cracking the brittle old plastics in the process.
Maybe if I do another one I'll time it for you how long it took to take apart the dash pad, but I think 30mins tops if you know where the screws are and have a powered screwdriver and all the other tools (for prying out the vents, caps on the side over the screws) ready.
I've got a 98 V70 SE 2.5. Apparently a new generation 850. It has all the cons including traction control and sports mode. Took it off my old man a few years back after saying "I'll never drive a volvo ..its for old men and its automatic" I was smitten within a week.(must be the fact I was turning 50🤣) What a car.. now my older boys are after it
I have been waiting for a video like this for ages !...I have the same v70 as you , and I too wondered about the actual difference between the 850 n the v70 ?...thanks to you I am now on the hunt for an 850 for that more BOXY look !
thanks for the positive words! happy shopping!
I had an 850 sold it and got a v70xc a few months later. In my opinion the v70 feels a little more modern and luxurious, plus I wanted the XC styling and that wasn’t available on the 850. In general though I’d say the 850 felt like a cooler car. It pulls on your heart strings a little more. The v70 lost a little coolness with its rounded edges and you also know that this was the start of the ford years so it also feels a little less pure.
@@jackmorgan1241 yes. 100% nailed it.
@@jackmorgan1241 I also have both 850 & V70 on P80 platform. There was also Volvo 850 AWD available, but this was is really scarse. Actually, I've seen one on the motorway and I'm in hunt for one.
Funny, was literally having the conversion yesterday about the differences between these two. 850 is the one for me!
Same, I've wanted to do this video for ages, it's brilliant that the colours are so close!
@@GeoffBuysCars on that note, isn't it great that Volvo would offer two slightly different types of a Champagney pinkish type of red on their colour palette!
Some of the bigger things you directly see and feel why the V70 classic is better: the tailgate slot is much better, it does close like new after years....the 850 tailgate, well nearly all of them break up. Another big big point is the quality of the plastic used for the rear light near the tailgate.....850 ones literally fade away, the V70 ones keep their shine and color after many years. The handgrips on the doors are also of better more sturdy quality, the A-style alu-strips near the windshield, the 850 ones the paint does come of a lot, the V70 ones last much much longer. And the list goes on, the V70 classis is the better car, again I love them both ;)
You make some really good points here...
I have an 850 tdi with 800.000 kms LOL
@@adrianocortijo7258 awesome, is it manual?
@@AndrewCDiprose yes
Love a pair of good looking Swedes especially if they've been around the block a few times!
Little bit rough and washed out but good looking and spirited
About the fan control switch. Your'e 850 doesn't have ECC. That's why there is no stepless fan control slider as v70 has. Yours 850 is just not equipped with cup holder option.
I think the V70 MK2 is the pinnacle of the design. The shoulders make it that bit nicer and more refined. My 2004 model will be 20 in October!
Best outro on CZcams 💯
Love it, you sound local to me and also a Volvo fan, maybe I'll see you around! I'm getting an 850 after years of wanting one, very soon. But I'd love a diesel! Cannot find one at all aha
850's the better looking car IMO! Also the 850 has a more robust dash and interior, V70 MK1 interiors feel cheaper (Ford input?) BTW i own 4 850 wagons, 1 MK1 S70 and 1 MK1 C70 so i can compare the 2, Cheers.
Yes the 850 is definitely more robust, you're right about the cheaper feel from the Ford input. I've got 3x 850s and the V70 at the moment, they are addictive! I do want a MK1 C70... Have you seen the prototype 850 Convertible? I love it.
Cup holder armrest also sold in 850 option extra on both
thats not classic, only the very late p80 models made in 2000 were classics. same thing with all volvos, classic is trim level available on last modelyear with very good base equipment, for example p80 classics often have electric seats etc.
You compared two different trim levels here. The 850 does not have the fully automatic air conditioning, and it also didn't have the cupholder armrest. It seems to be an early model with the "squared off" flat armrest, there was a cupholder version for that one too though - only it had FOUR cupholders - two for the front, and two for the back passengers (to pull out to the rear).
That armrest came from the 700/900 series. The one from the V70 was available in the 850 from the 95 model year onward.
I have v70 2007 57 reg
2.4 D5 geartronic full flush oil change getting done shortly
72k miles Full volvo Service history
Love 5 cylinder diesel sound!!
good on you you are doing the one thing that so few people have done and that is the full flush oil change on the auto transmission. That will make a major difference in the future. It will save the day.
I've recently bought a v reg 20v n/a as well. Manual with 133k on it, paid 475 for it with 10 months MOT. It's an XT trim (rebadged SE as for as I know). I was wondering if, as the previous owner claimed, all cars had the Cruise Control stalk regardless of it being fitted? Same was claimed of the little dial under the gauge cluster that cycles the information? Mine shows the temperature and time but can't adjust it to show other readouts that I know some cars can. Turning the dial does nothing. Does anyone know anything about this? If either are broken I'd be unlikely to delve into the electronics behind it all, but I am very curious.
Volvo invited me to test drive one around North Yorkshire as I’d owned a 855 Estate from new. I considered it more of a White Goods item. No exhaust note, etcetera. Kept my 855 94 and still have it. I’m an Angular Angleman and as a R.H.D. it attracted lots of interest in Sweden which I regularly visited by ferry to Goteborg. V70 Mk 1 doesn’t attract myself at all. 👍🏻🏴
My 1997 850R has the same cup holder and arm rest as your V70. I much prefer the 850 to the V70. The turbo versions of the 850 have a factory boost gauge whereas the V70 doesn’t.
At that's interesting that your 97 850 has the same arm rest! Wouldn't mind finding one for my TDI...
@@GeoffBuysCars same here. My 1996 850 has the same center console with the cup holders. And thanks for the cool video. For me 850 all the time.
@@GeoffBuysCars I have a 855 T-5R 96 Same armrest with same cupholder version just Suede on it. My 850R 96 does have leather on the same model armrest. My 855R 97 does also have the same armrest. 850 Does have i think i 3 different version of the model of the armrest. They does come in many colors do.
As a 98 v70glt 5 speed converted owner, the 850 looks better. That's just my opinion though, the red 850 looks so good
Love my 98 V70 T5!
The v70 had black plastic trim on the centre console and the glove compartment I changed it for the wood when I had it, the arm rest was tatty and I swapped a better one in with the cup holder and when I sold it she still had the original factory radio in her.
Yeah the radio in it is shite!
That arm rest came on the 850 cd spec and r's/t5r
wish the v70 had the original radio . i love the radios in the volvos.
Hey Geoff
I’m thinking of getting a Volvo 850R. Would you say an 850 is better than the V70. I have very own Volvo I was a an old Saab guy till I sold it got a modern car and hate it.
where I can buy Car radio reduction frame for Volvo V70 ?
Another fact, the 850 columbas alloys came in 2 versions, they rotate in different directions. Look at the rear passenger wheel on the v70.
Yeah... I really wish I’d kept the wheels from that car, they’re hard to find!!
The 3 knobs behind the transmission stick, what for?
I had the 850R wot a car got a v50 t5 and a c30 d4 both 5 pot did the world record volvo600 in them miss the 850 my fav car of all
And I don't know if you now this, but there are also differences between V70's from 97 until mid 98, and 98 and up. Mine's a 97T5 (April) and it's clearly different from yours - mine still has the "older style" roof rack" (like the 850) - yours has the ones that continued with the PII. In the engine bay the difference will be more obvious as the ones from late 98+ have a different Timing Belt cover and coolant reservoir. The airbag assembly (after you remove the steering wheel) wiil also be different - it's similar to what you'll also find in PII) and in case you want to replace the dashboard (complete with the attached harness ) - from a late 98 and up to one from 97/mid 98, it wont work, as the Airbag harness is mounted on the firewall (late 98 and up) opposed to it being on the harness (97/mid 98), with all other wires/connections... don't ask me how I know this.... Cheers from Portugal. BTW, starting in 99 (and until being replaced with the PII platform) all V70T5 came with a 2.0 CC engine (instead of the 2.3...)
Ive owned many of both over 20 years, all except one V70TDi were T5s or Rs. Awesome cars, I'd take either of those against that Sapphire any day regardless of value. IMHO the 850 is more fragile for some reason; I spent loads more time replacing PCV systems and engine mounts etc, also the plastics used inside and out were very poor, warpy dashbords and fading trim.. Volvo ironed out most of the problems with the V70 but they also lost a bit of the style. The soft touch interior and colour coded bumpers felt like an improvement at the time but now I miss the square Volvo-ness so bad I can't wait to find a nice one to keep into retirement. I'll be like Harry Enfield's old gits, flicking the Vs at all the modern electric twaddle in my GENUINELY green machine.
is your 850 for sale my dad had an manual 850 its so colse to my hart id love to buy it off you
Nearly spot on explained this video. I like to point 2 things out here about your 850: You don't have the ECC system option. As a result you don't get the slider but just some settings. The second thing is that your armrest isn't in every 850. My 850 and others younger ones or better spec i think have the same one as the V70 ones. But the rest of the video sumps it nearly all up: The interior quality is much better, less rattles and better quality of materials. The 850 has for shure the better interior design wise. Just more classic'nes from Volvo and more thought of. Most of the V70 design pieces just got messed up by Volvo... And then they took it though the whole Volvo lineup of cars from that era. The outside design is sadly less rectangular but looks a bit more modern because of the loss of the plastic pieces. The gauge cluster in the V70 is a very big exeption: I like the electrical gauge clusters more and don't have any issues with the stupid gears that break and mess with the mileage... My summary: I'll always like the 850 more then i'll ever do probably with the V70
Excellent comment and thanks for taking the time to write it! I did learn after this video that the cup holder was available on some 850s, I have some new video going live in the next few days of my latest purchase, a Nautical Blue with Beige T5 estate, so keep an eye out :)
I quite like the smooth design of the V70 but I’d need an 850 interior - if only for the door handles!
850 fully spec nothing beats that
had a 1998 v70 2.4 in purple (factory paint) it had crap cold idle and a vacume leak, but after i sold it to a family member it outlived 3 of my cars afterwards 😂 just short of 600000 KM before it was scraped🥲
i like the more refined face of the v70. eventhough it lost some of its edge (hehehe), the proportions just seem to have more thought put into them.
Let's talk about driving and handling differences between these two, because that's missing for some reason.
I've had a 850 T5 (R) for five years, and an S70R for six years.
The 850 had Bilstein shocks, an OMP strut bar, and 17 inch Pegasus wheels. The S70R was standard, with 17 inch Comet wheels of course.
The S70R felt stiffer in the front, despite no strut bar.
At that time I've read somewhere that there were hundreds or thousands small improvements from 850 to V/S70.
Great comment!
Was that a Sunbeam Lotus behind the Cossie?
Sunbeam yes, Lotus no... Might try review it when Lynd has finished the build!
did you see the different? left rear tire from the V70... this rim turns otherwise, not clockwise like the others!!! I've never seen that!!!
i'm trying to buy the wheels back because of this ha ha
i have that armrest and cup holder on my 96 850
Lol nice :) Have you ever gotten a waterbottle to fly out of it when opening the center console? Asking because I have xD
The cool cupholder is only thing not dummy-proof on the 850/ S70 :P
I do like the 850 look but there is a subject about the climate controls. I would like to mention the v70 ones a fully electronic including heat settings also they made them that you select your temperature u like and it will maintain it through out the car. AUT settings in mine that also controls my heated front and rear seats. Also alarm sensors on the front pillars above the seat belts and also airbags. Also if u take the keys out ignition and flash the main beam lights u get gide you home lights :)
That would be the same in the 850, only that the car in the video does not have the fully automatic climate control. The 850 had it too, with separate temperature settings for passenger and driver, and the slider for the fan speed has an "auto" setting to the left of the "off" position there too (the off position is notched in that case, the rest is seamless up to max speed without any settings like 1,2,3 etc...).
The V/S/XC70 actually borrowed the better armrest from the 850. I think that improved armrest came with 95-97 850's? It might have been an option at the time. The T-5R's had it. As for the climate control... You could get an 850 with ECC, which also have that fan slider without notches. There is actually not that much difference between them. A lot of parts are interchangeable. One thing that did annoy me slightly is that they locked down the cluster on the V/S/XC70. So if you had one without the trip computer, you could not swap one in to the cluster without reprogramming. On the 850, that is not an issue. Installed a trip computer in my 94.
Great comment, it's really interesting if you spend a bit of time with both cars just noticing the little foibles, for me, I honestly think the V70 is the better looking car, but the build quality isn't quite the same... and I blooming' love the interior door pull handles on the 850! ha ha.
@@GeoffBuysCars I think exterior styling between the two are a bit in their own categories. While the 850 is a lot more boxy, that is what is making it a classic. With the new design of the 1st gen V70, that really brought it in to the 2000's design language. And I do think the V70 make for a better looking tuner, if you are into that sort of thing.
But the interior of the 850, is just a far nicer place to be. I don't know what went through Volvo's heads when redesigning the interior for the V70. It all just sort of melted, and borrowed some interior design from the 960. The pull handles in the 850 are a lot more natural and ergonomic. In the V70, you kind of have to twist your hand.
@@ZoneSix totally agree and the 'twisty hand' comment is spot on!
I recently bought an 850 wagon and I really wish it had seats like your 850, I really love that fabric/leather look and feel.
My first car was a S70 2.5 tdi and i sold that thing with 540k kilometers, I regret selling it to this day ... Also had a V70 tdi, and that car was a shitshow it was ready for a scrapyard 1/4 roof was poorly fixed, you really had to slam the doors to close them etc. the car was shaking like crazy, low on power and i most of the times it wouldn't start. It was in such a bad condition i didn't really want to change the flywheel which was probably 50% of it's problems. But yeah lost more than a 1000 euros on that car.
850 I just got will be a project car. I always wanted a gasoline powered car and this one is 2.5 20V also has LPG installed, hope that car won't take me to an early grave, at least financially...
V70 Classic is a trimlevel, that’s a V70 MkII (don’t see any classic trim pieces, but not gotten to far in)
I had an 1999 2,5 TDI with manual gearbox, liked that car but it was realy expencive road tax on it here in sweden and when its an tdi you need an external diesel heater but that thing always stoped to work for some reason, always had to go to the dealer to reset the electronics in it, might be becouse the internal parts was from a Saab, lol, Now days i have a S 40 2,0 T, volvo ofcourse from 2003 a bit newer car but still in good nick.
Which is your favourite and why?
You know you have steering wheel on a wrong side, right?
I own a V70. I love everything about the body. But the 850 is just so damn hard. Its just flawless.🎉 But, with times. I do like a little bit of more technology. Aka heated seats. Better ac control. That's about it.
I think the 850 looks better. One of the original badass estate touring cars. It's like the Audi Quattro early 80s before they went all curvy and stuff. Both cars are awesome though
In the U.S v70 s70 c70 xc70 didnt start until 1998. In 1997 was still the 850.
The milage of these is nothing. The cars and engines are so reliable! I have a S70 with 500.000 km ans she is still running. These are amazing cars👌👌
Me to 😁 i have both of them: 850 station vagon and first generation xc70. I like 850 better, because its just better quality - everything on 850 is better and because everything still works on it. Only thing, that xc70 has better is its original audio, thats it. On xc70 i have window button problems, central locking problems, mirror regulation button problems and all arround feel of xc70 interior is not that great, jeah it looks good, but quality isnt there as it was with 850 models. And there was an arm rest with coffee cup holder - in 1997 850 models i guess, because i found one in a junkyard and putted it on my 850, just bolt off, bolt on ;)
Your comment is well timed...! Yesterday I installed the cup holder arm rest in my 850!
i do prefer the 850 but the v70 is still a good looking car i do prefer the 850 interior .
Many interchangeable parts between the cars. You can re shell a V70 to be an 850 and vice versa. A lot of work but possible. You can put the front end of a v70 on a 850 too. I am backward… I think the 850 just looks and feels too old and too far a step away from the modern day car. I feel like the V70 is just better redefined and being pre can bus is like one of the last proper old Volvos/old car. Ford purchased Volvo in 1999 so the x70 p2 is their doing.
For example! The P80 V70 platform in Japan brought precanbus power-folding mirrors! You cannot deny that is just pretty cool! I have them fitted to mine and just need to do some wiring wizardary
The climate control differences are between the high and low spec models, not between the pre and post facelift models. There's a dumb mechanical climate control for the x70 and a fancy electronic one for the 850.
only power front windows
Fan speed different as v70 has ecc and 850 has manual climate.
Hi ! If you want to know the real mileage on the 850 it’s actually very simple. Don’t need to plug no computer, you just open the hood, find the little computer module on the left next to wiper fluid,
Plug to number 7 the module,
Turn ignition on,
Push button 5 times
When it’s constant red push it 1 time only
Repeat again
Now, if you want to read the first 3 digits of the mileage push it twice
For the last 3 digits push it five times.
Let us know what you’ve found!
Just bought a 1995 850 T5 myself, turned out it had 455 000km ! (The odometer also stopped rolling years ago)
This only works with the cars that have the onboard diagnostics I believe after 1995 they removed this and went OBD2
thanks for the comment!!! i'll post a video up when i know...
Doesn't work on 850 TDi. All TDi 850's have this OBD2-port. But you can still read actual mileage from suitable OBD2-scanner.
@@jamesmoore8461 yes and there is a super cool app in the android app shop available. Works great in my 1995 850 2.5 20V
@@jamesmoore8461 That onboard diagnostics was an option, because i have 1995 850 and it has both - OBD2 and diagnostic light in engine bay.
I personally like the V70 mk1 look more than the 850.
They definitely did not pay a dept to the planet, more like creating one 😂 (05:21)
distracted because of the metro
Sadly now sold before I was able to do a video on it!
How on earth do you find these bargains in this time of age? Most people are asking silly money for these cars! But you're picking them up as if it was 2012
Great comment, it made me laugh!
Total consumerism and marketing ploys -make a new model out of the existing one - sad to say I bought into this at the time , now looking back I’d take the 850 every time - Volvo got that right from the beginning -
EVERYONE BE BLESS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS❤ALWAYS❤NICE JOKES THOUGH AND RETURN TO SENDERS DARK MAGIC WORKS❤LOVE YALL(*;
Volvo claims 700 changes.
I Have 2 V70 P80's and they are better than 850's face down arse up. Regardless..
Your videos are very informative and entertaining to boot, but since you mentioned Greta I think we need to be clear here that reducing carbon emissions is incredibly important for our survival. With a stiff carbon tax you can drive 850s to your heart’s content, so long as you are willing and able to pay the price. But the days of endless driving for cheap need to be over and done, now.
thanks so much for the comments! there is more to reducing carbon emissions than just cars...
Had them both, great cars but the V70 is the better one! Not on 1 point but a lot of point, also some importnant technical improvements. My daily now is a 2011 V70 D5, nice nice nice car! Complete other world, but also very typical Volvo 'things' that are nearly the same as the 850 and V70 classic. But I must be clear: als those type of cars are obsolete compared to most EV's....drove a Tesla Model 3 and inspected the Skoda Enyaq from my friend...well it puts tha Volvo station 2 centuries back in time. I love my Volvo's but it is the end of an era, EV is taking over and it will go faster than a lightning bolt.....
That's really the problem our culture and for shure other cultures just face: They stick to the past and want to dismiss the future because they don't like it. I like the past a lot more too but we have to move on at a certain point😐
Spent 4 years in a model 3 but have just bought a V70 D5 manual 230bhp, much more character and we can now go on camping trips without waiting an hour to charge at darts farm! cheap electric has gone
@@summerjunk929 good on you.... D5 manual will be fine. Electric cars are junk.
You have a plethora of ugly Wheels 🤣
The later V70 and the S80 is very beautiful inside. Better than both of these and similar architecture