Looking at a 480

triumphtoledo · Post by **triumphtoledo** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 5:18 pm

I put a post in here almost 2 years ago about looking for a 480 and now I may have just found one.

My parents' neighbour moved in around a year ago, with several cars, ncl a red 480. I have noticed, on my rare visits, that the 480 has not moved for around 4 months, so I put a note through the letterbox asking if it was for sale.

Phone rang that evening. Was neighbours' Dad's car. Approx 80,000 on the clock. no T&T. Needs a tyre and has a small intermittant oil leak.

Car is a 2.0-litre L reg. He wants Ã‚Â£200 for it. I think the arches are ok but I will be viewing the car in a few weeks. I was thinking of offering Ã‚Â£150 if all seems well.

Question is, other than back arches, info centre & damp boot, what should I look for on a 2.0 480?

Your help is much appreicated!

kinkersaab · Post by **kinkersaab** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 6:34 pm

Front subframe rot. Can be changed but would be easier on a ramp. mine took about 3 hrs to swap over. Mot rules will not allow for it to be welded. It is easy enough to check by crawling under car.

triumphtoledo · Post by **triumphtoledo** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 6:49 pm

where abouts on the front subframe do they go?

Ettore Bugatti · Post by **Ettore Bugatti** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 7:25 pm

Check when the timing belt was changed. Also be aware of any oil consumption.

Rust will also stick its head out around the front screen and A-pillars.

triumphtoledo · Post by **triumphtoledo** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 7:44 pm

Thanks. Does the 2.0-litre engine use oil? also, where abouts should I check the frot subframe for corrosion? The mounts?

Thanks again!

JohnTurbo · Post by **JohnTurbo** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 7:46 pm

Early 2.0 use oil...thats nothing to worry about. = red dipstick.

Green dipstick shouldn't use much.

triumphtoledo · Post by **triumphtoledo** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 7:55 pm

Crikey! Is an L reg car an early one? What do the different dipsticks signify?

JohnTurbo · Post by **JohnTurbo** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 8:26 pm

Nah....they only really made 2.0 from k-m reg so it could be either.

Red dip had an oilspray tot he underneeth of the pistons to cool them. The heat burns the oil off.

On the green they just took it off...its not needed.

Christy · Post by **Christy** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 2:52 pm

Are all the seals ok after being sat there for so long? Otherwise might give you problems. Wish I had checked mine before I bought it!

triumphtoledo · Post by **triumphtoledo** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 6:14 pm

I have no idea. Are there any specifc seals that give out?

triumphtoledo · Post by **triumphtoledo** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 11:42 am

Right, I have been to look at the car and here's the verdict on the L reg 2-litre:

GOOD POINTS:

89k on clock with FSH.
ONly 3 owners on logbook.
Good engine, 'box and clutch
Good upholstry
straight panels
Good floor and sills
Good subframe
Recent cambelt
Recent exhaust (incl Cat)
Brakes work well, incl handbrake

BAD POINTS
Rear arches (naturally)
Engine running rich (uneven when at 2,000 rpm and some black smoke when blipping throttle. havent checked air filter but could be lambda sensor (anyone??!!)
Faded paint
Broken plastic trim inside (except dash) but passenger door worse.
Info centre doesnt illuminate (faint reading can be seen)
Rev counter works when it wants
Pop ups work when they want
water in boot
Rear lamps faded
Front daylight running lights cracked
Sunroof opens but needs a thump to let it close (seems like its come off runners as lots of clicking and whurring goes on??)

I can get the car painted for Ã‚Â£300 and I can fit replacement rear arches myself (440 ones fit right?) but is it worth the hastle? Are the faults listed big ones?

Rob. (pics to follow)

triumphtoledo · Post by **triumphtoledo** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 11:44 am

Dutchman_in_uk · Post by **Dutchman_in_uk** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 12:16 pm

That's a bit of a project there mate

How is the rust on the chassis? When was its last MOT?

Interior bits can be obtained quite easy. Your infocentre light is a GBP10 bulb replacement from Volvo...
Where to start...
The rust seems quite extensive...

triumphtoledo · Post by **triumphtoledo** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 12:18 pm

No rust in chassis or subframe thankfully. The wheelarch rot onlty seems localised thankfully.

I am considering putting in replacement arches (Volvo 440 fit I think - anyone confirm?) and I can get the car resprayed for around Ã‚Â£300.

My main worry is the mechanical aspect, mainly the rich running engine.

triumphtoledo · Post by **triumphtoledo** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 12:28 pm

MoT expired 4 months ago

JohnTurbo · Post by **JohnTurbo** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 1:07 pm

The paint t-cuts up fine. Mine looks similar after a year out in the sun.

Most of the problems are niggles/small parts.

Sunroof for example is an easy job, a small plastic component.

Might be worth spending like 400 on one i good nick though, i'd not bother with that car.

triumphtoledo · Post by **triumphtoledo** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 1:12 pm

The paint may T-cut up fine but if I replaced the back 'arches, the rear wings will need painting and they will not match the rest of the car, so it is easier (?) to paint the whole thing.

I was told that I would never find a 480 with perfect 'arches anyway in my price range (about Ã‚Â£400).

What about the other niggles? They are the ones that concern me more. Is the plastic part for the sunroof expensive?

volver · Post by **volver** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 2:36 pm

You should be able to get a better conditioned car if you can up your budget a bit - I got an M reg 2litre for Ã‚Â£500 a few months ago - 6months on MOT, sim in tax - small dent and small crack in windscreen - no rust on it's arches and generally much better overall condition than the one you're looking at. I'd keep your eyes peeled for one's advertised on this site or the main volvo one. (along with ebay of course)
If you feel the need to buy this one - then I'd go for Ã‚Â£50 absolutely maximum. Or even Ã‚Â£25. Just a lot to do on it.

(am no expert but spent a whole looking around for one - though most of it virtually!)

Christy · Post by **Christy** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 2:45 pm

I completely agree with Volvoer... Unless you want a project on your hands rather than a ready to go car.

At any rate those pins for the sunroof are only a couple of quid. My mechanic got me them for Ã‚Â£5 the pair. The part number is on the FAQ section i think...

volver · Post by **volver** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 3:02 pm

ps to my note - along with not being an expert I've also never offered someone Ã‚Â£25 for a car they want Ã‚Â£200 for..

keep up the search - it won't be another 2 years until you find one Honest!