A Review of the 480 - By Yours Truly

Here you can talk about the joy owning a Volvo 480 brings. Non-technical discussions take place here, like what is the difference between an ES and a S version.

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MisterH
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1161
Joined: Sat Nov 24, 2018 6:15 pm
Location: Stockbridge

A Review of the 480 - By Yours Truly

Post by MisterH » Sat Mar 20, 2021 8:35 pm

Hi All

I decided that I wanted to try and set the record straight with the 480 and provide a fair and balanced review. Of course, I had a bit of fun and flair with it, but I hope I have done the car justice, take a look and see what you think...

https://drivetribe.com/p/the-volvo-480e ... byNnl6EKiQ
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild

NillerGT
Started learning about 480
Posts: 50
Joined: Wed Sep 16, 2020 8:31 am

Re: A Review of the 480 - By Yours Truly

Post by NillerGT » Sun Mar 21, 2021 10:34 am

Nice, thank you!
Indeed I think this car is one of best, in terms of price / safety / rarity / community trade-off, for starting out with a classic car. I think I am a little lucky with my exemplar, as most issues were either absent or were broadly fixable by myself, despite quasi zero initial experience. In most countries it seems that if you spend 4000 EUR sensibly you should be able to get a quite sorted car.
Just got my first 480 (August 2020)!
1990 ES 1.7, Superwhite
I have ticked off around 45 items, cosmetic and mechanical
Remaining:
- Vibration at 1500 RPM (hard to locate)
- Rough idle (harder one)
- Touch-ups
- Change rims (Pollux to slightly fresher Atlas)
- install my “new” flawless door pocket
I also just bought a 2004 XC90.

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MisterH
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1161
Joined: Sat Nov 24, 2018 6:15 pm
Location: Stockbridge

Re: A Review of the 480 - By Yours Truly

Post by MisterH » Sun Mar 21, 2021 2:00 pm

NillerGT wrote:
Sun Mar 21, 2021 10:34 am
Nice, thank you!
Indeed I think this car is one of best, in terms of price / safety / rarity / community trade-off, for starting out with a classic car. I think I am a little lucky with my exemplar, as most issues were either absent or were broadly fixable by myself, despite quasi zero initial experience. In most countries it seems that if you spend 4000 EUR sensibly you should be able to get a quite sorted car.
Thanks Niller, You have done great! 4k is high even for the best examples, most ones I have seen for that money have been chancers
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild

Martin Mc
480 Rookie
Posts: 457
Joined: Tue May 29, 2012 11:57 am

Re: A Review of the 480 - By Yours Truly

Post by Martin Mc » Sun Mar 21, 2021 5:23 pm

Hello Ben,


Cracking job that! Some really good shots of your car too, alongside a very positive narrative. What is the readership of the site you've posted the article on? I'd wager it will lead to a spike in interest in the Wedge, which is generally a good thing all round.

You've done a great job on your car too, from what I seem to remember was a fairly rough start.

Thanks for posting the link. I really enjoyed the read - you should post any follow up you get from the article into this thread, so we can share the splashes with you :)

Cheers!

Martin Mc
1991 ES White / 1995 ES Red / 1995 ES Red / 1994 S Black / 1995 Celebration Red / 1994 S Paris Blue / 1995 Celebration (again!) Red - Currently free of all extramarital cars, wrench-loose and fancy free :)

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MisterH
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1161
Joined: Sat Nov 24, 2018 6:15 pm
Location: Stockbridge

Re: A Review of the 480 - By Yours Truly

Post by MisterH » Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:08 pm

Martin Mc wrote:
Sun Mar 21, 2021 5:23 pm
Hello Ben,


Cracking job that! Some really good shots of your car too, alongside a very positive narrative. What is the readership of the site you've posted the article on? I'd wager it will lead to a spike in interest in the Wedge, which is generally a good thing all round.

You've done a great job on your car too, from what I seem to remember was a fairly rough start.

Thanks for posting the link. I really enjoyed the read - you should post any follow up you get from the article into this thread, so we can share the splashes with you :)

Cheers!

Martin Mc
Hi Martin,
The readership of the site is best described as "mass-market" the site was founded by the TG presenters and it has a thriving, if a little closed minded community. Think of it as more focused than straight up influencers, but where anyone can contribute, there is some good journalism alongside typical social media antics and shenanigans. It is mostly young people and the next generation.

Yeah it has been a long road but it has all been driveway stuff so far, the car does need a new handbrake cable though and there are a couple paint bubbles by the arches...

Glad it brought a smile, I don't know how much traffic it will get but we can point anyone in it's direction if they want the record straight
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild

User avatar
MisterH
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1161
Joined: Sat Nov 24, 2018 6:15 pm
Location: Stockbridge

Re: A Review of the 480 - By Yours Truly

Post by MisterH » Sat Apr 03, 2021 9:36 am

This seems to have done much better than expected and is now selected to head up the global main page for a while!
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild

jifflemon
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2464
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2016 11:03 am

Re: A Review of the 480 - By Yours Truly

Post by jifflemon » Sat Apr 03, 2021 10:53 am

Image

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MisterH
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1161
Joined: Sat Nov 24, 2018 6:15 pm
Location: Stockbridge

Re: A Review of the 480 - By Yours Truly

Post by MisterH » Sat Apr 03, 2021 11:49 am

jifflemon wrote:
Sat Apr 03, 2021 10:53 am
Image
At least I have learned some respect! :P
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild

Martin63
Knows where Volvo is from
Posts: 164
Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2020 8:57 am
Location: Fareham, Hampshire UK
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Re: A Review of the 480 - By Yours Truly

Post by Martin63 » Tue Apr 06, 2021 9:56 am

MisterH wrote:
Sat Mar 20, 2021 8:35 pm
Hi All

I decided that I wanted to try and set the record straight with the 480 and provide a fair and balanced review. Of course, I had a bit of fun and flair with it, but I hope I have done the car justice, take a look and see what you think...

https://drivetribe.com/p/the-volvo-480e ... byNnl6EKiQ
Nice work!
480 ES - M696 UFC - January 1995
480 GT - M586 TMF - August 1994

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