Differences

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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Aaron__
480 Newbie
Posts: 22
Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2023 8:48 pm

Differences

Post by Aaron__ » Thu Mar 09, 2023 12:59 pm

Hey guys i cant really find anything on the internet so i was wondering if anyone knew the difference between a 480 SR Turbo, like R5 and just a regular turbo, also whats different about the ES in comparison also. Thanks :)

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jamescarruthers
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2501
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:19 pm
Location: Cambridge

Re: Differences

Post by jamescarruthers » Thu Mar 09, 2023 2:01 pm

SR means sunroof. Many UK cars have this, known as a 'moonroof'-- basically a shit sunroof
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)

Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)

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Jay-Kay-Em
480 Rookie
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Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2012 10:42 pm
Location: Huntingdon
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Re: Differences

Post by Jay-Kay-Em » Thu Mar 09, 2023 3:14 pm

As James says, sunroof aka "moonroof".

The Turbo is split into four with DVLA...

Image

S/R and non S/R.

Bizarrely, Volvo had a thing which meant cars were distinguished on the V5 according to sunroof (or not). All the models, 200, 300, 400, 700 are categorised this way...

Image

Interestingly, there are no 900's named this way, which suggests this nomenclature stopped by the early 1990's. This is also supported by the fact that I have a factory moonroof for 1994 but this isn't on the V5 - i'm just a plain jane "Turbo". So, on that basis, it isn't a hard and fast rule that any particular 480 has a sunroof anyway! :nuts:

Regarding the model differences - Will and David can relay in their sleep - but i'd recommend popping on eBay and getting yourself a brochure. There's about 30 for sale at the moment. Each have the specification columns at the back with ticks and option blobs telling you exactly what is what; from S to ES to Turbo.
Last edited by Jay-Kay-Em on Thu Mar 09, 2023 6:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Jay-Kay-Em
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Aaron__
480 Newbie
Posts: 22
Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2023 8:48 pm

Re: Differences

Post by Aaron__ » Thu Mar 09, 2023 3:47 pm

Thanks man, didnt know it would be that simple, thats awesome tho and i appreciate you telling me ill have a look at the brochure

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WillC9303
Knows an Aerodeck isn't a 480
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Location: Surrey

Re: Differences

Post by WillC9303 » Thu Mar 09, 2023 5:46 pm

I believe the 'S/R' label was dropped around 1992, when the moonroof became standard on the ES model?
William

1993 2.0i Limited Edition

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dcwalker
480 Is my middle name
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Joined: Sun Sep 16, 2012 12:30 pm
Location: York

Re: Differences

Post by dcwalker » Thu Mar 09, 2023 7:05 pm

Nothing to add to the good stuff above about SR etc.

In terms of differences, apart from the obvious one namely the engine, they are surprisingly few.

Turbos had a locking rear centre cubby box; early ES had this but lost it when Turbo came out. Turbo has the 3 gauge unit in the centre dash (volts/oil pressure/boost); early ES had volts/oil pressure gauges but lost these once Turbo came out.

Turbos had a front spoiler as standard.

Initially both models had the same 14" wheels - first Pollux then Atlas. Somewhere around 1992/3 Turbos gained 15" Taurus wheels whereas the ES stayed on various 14" wheels.

Turbos had ABS as standard almost from the start. Once that became standard on ES I believe some really late Turbos also gained TRACS as standard.

Off the top of my head that was about it...

David
Current: 1994 480 GT, 1996 460 CD & 1997 440 LE with lots of optional extras & 2007 V50 SE Sport
Previous: Celebration 331 (re-homed with Richard S), Celebration 467 (returned to Martin Mc); Celebration 346 (re-homed with Alan480); Celebration 269 (scrapped abandoned project), Celebration 73 (sold on after 6 years), 1992 ES, 1988 ES - and numerous other non-480 Volvos!

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