Service parts

[Gapples]

Hi
I'm just after some advice ...
Basically my 480 arrives tomorrow 22/08/2022.
I'm going to have it in a local garage I trust to go over it with a fine tooth comb the car just hasn't been used much in the last dozen years or so.
So...
Is there a Volvo 480 parts supplier in the UK that we use ?
Also I know its going to need a center section exhaust, is it worth me having a stainless steel one fitted & who are recommended suppliers ?
Same applies to springs & shockers, suspension bushes etc. Just looking for recommended suppliers.
I appreciate any help & suggestions on what is going to be a steep learning curve.
I want the car right though & reliable as possible
Thank you.

[dragonflyjewels]

There is no specific supplier of 480 parts. Some are easily sourced such as shocks, quite a lot come from Renault as the basic engine block is theirs. There are 2 German suppliers who still have some parts, polarparts.de and skandix.de. but of course shipping and import duty make them quite expensive. Ebay is often a good source. Jeff (jifflemon) can usually help but I know he's snowed under with his day job at the moment. David (dcwalker) is also very knowledgable and we have plenty of other friendly members who will help.

It's unfortunate timing for the exhaust. I realise you are new to 480 ownership, but wonder if you have driven one before, and whether you intend to keep yours long term. Most 480 owners find them a real joy to drive and don't want to move on. Exhaust parts are reasonably easy to source so depending on your budget it might be your best option until you've had the car long enough to decide the future.
Obviously stainless is a good investment for a long term car if you can afford the outlay. Stainless exhausts from most places are made up from off the shelf Powerflow parts - we were quoted £600 for one. Subsequently we bought a secondhand one from a 480 breaket and our garage man was not happy with the fit. He did a few alterations, such as moving a bracket onto one of the bolts on the front passenger seat.
Alternatively there are some specialists such as Demand Engineering in Suffolk who actually tailor make exhausts from scratch to your specifications for power and sound. They are about £200 more than Powerflow ones but you will get a perfect fit. We had one fitted to my turbo and I'm more than happy with it but but of course it is a LOT of money.

[jifflemon]

I'd point you this post as a starting point.

Polar parts have a UK website, which means even though they still ship from Europe, import duty etc is taken care of.

If you look in the rescue threads, you'll get a feel for the parts I use - Generally try use branded stuff where it's available

[Gapples]

Well, I got my my 480 back yesterday from the local garage.
Full service including timing belt kit, water pump, auxiliary belt, cooling system flush & thoroughly checked over, undersealing as required attended to, including inside all cavities, sills plus doors & MOT done, past without advisories.
Took it for a good long drive & called in to get a price for wing & paintwork sorting, so that will be done in November.
After that just a stainless steel exhaust to price up.
Have to say it's a canny drive this little car..

[dragonflyjewels]

Great to hear !! Another one saved - which model is it ?
Some pictures would be good, but you need to do 10 posts before you can add any.

[jamescarruthers]

Congratulations on getting back on the road and hope you get to enjoy driving it. Rust in the back is their biggest enemy so I’m pleased you’ve got in rust proofed.

After that just a stainless steel exhaust to price up.

I think most stainless steel exhaust owners of 480s have been a little disappointed. Unless you are paying serious cash, they seem to be shreiky awful things. I haven’t seen if this is exactly what fits your car (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/363752960939 ... media=COPY) but I’d be looking at just normal old steel ones. NOS pretty much don’t exist so this is quite the rarity of it is for your car.

[jamescarruthers]

Congratulations on getting back on the road and hope you get to enjoy driving it. Rust in the back is their biggest enemy so I’m pleased you’ve got in rust proofed.

After that just a stainless steel exhaust to price up.

I think most stainless steel exhaust owners of 480s have been a little disappointed. Unless you are paying serious cash, they seem to turn out to be shreiky awful things.

I haven’t seen if this is exactly what fits your car but the middle and back box here is for the B18EP and B18FP engines (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/363752960939 ... media=COPY).

I’d be looking at just normal old steel ones. NOS pretty much don’t exist so this is quite the rarity if it is for your car.

[Gapples]

Jamie

I messaged that gut about the exhaust on ebay, I never got a reply !
I've messaged a few different people on ebay plus Klarius & no one does a pipe for my car, well there's one that appears correct on ebay but it's in Poland.

My 480es is the 2 tone LE model, a 1992 with a genuine 35k miles on it.
It's pretty much rock solid but belt & braces it's had additional undersealing done now, it's looking good underneath

It does though require a small repair on the nsf wing plus a bit of paintwork sorted here & there, then just the exhaust to get done.

Fingers crossed it'll be an absolute sound car after all that...sure it's going to cost more than its probably worth by the time I'm finished ( I know you are never finished with old cars ) bit it'll ve a very good car & yes saved.

[jamescarruthers]

Ah, so you have the B20 engine so the eBay one technically won’t do. To be honest, other than the differences between the turbo and normally aspirated cars, I don’t know what the very subtle differences must be between exhausts.

[jamescarruthers]

Not sure if you’ve already done this but here’s the parts catalogue for the B20 engine’s exhaust system to help with cross referencing to aftermarket stuff:





Looks like 3466461 up to 1995 and 3485076 from 1996 on (can’t be many of those!)

Could it be this you are looking for? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184538691458 ... media=COPY

[WillC9303]

Ah, so you have the B20 engine so the eBay one technically won’t do.

All 1992 model year TT's were 1.7s, so Gapples will be the B18EP. The B20F didn't appear on the TT until 1993.

[jamescarruthers]

Ah, so you have the B20 engine so the eBay one technically won’t do.

All 1992 model year TT's were 1.7s, so Gapples will be the B18EP. The B20F didn't appear on the TT until 1993.

Bollocks, I misread 2 tone for 2 litre! Disregard my post above… unless you have a 2.0!

[Gapples]

Hi guys

Yes sorry, I should have added my 480 two tone is a 1.7 naturally aspirated.

Would this be why I'm finding it very difficult to find exhaust parts ?

It's bit annoying that no one in the UK seems to make them, even if it was just order !

[dcwalker]

I'm a tad confused by you saying you can't find the exhaust pipe for your car anywhere - I've just done a quick ebay search for "volvo 480 1.7 exhaust" and several are coming up - both centre and rear sections, at a range of prices.

Your 1.7TT has the B18EP/FP engine - the EP was the 1.7 without catalyser, the EP/FP was when they added the catalyser. That engine was on certain UK 480s from around 1991 right to the end (1995 but usually given as 1996).

Just be careful - you DON'T want exhausts for the B18E (or B18F) - they were the early engines and timescale ends in 1989.

Good luck!

David

[jamescarruthers]

In which case I’d be pressing Buy It Now immediately on the NOS one, not sending messages.

[dcwalker]

In which case I’d be pressing Buy It Now immediately on the NOS one, not sending messages.

Couldn't agree more - especially as it's genuine Volvo...

David