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New member, looking for a 480
Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2020 4:15 pm
by hdickins
Hi.
And I'm looking for a 480, having always admired them.
I currently drive a Mercedes 190e - which is lovely but not quite practical enough.
So I'm selling it and thought a 480 would be a both practical AND interesting.
Howard
Re: New member, looking for a 480
Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2020 5:58 pm
by MisterH
Hi Howard, great to hear from you
Yes the 480 is very useable and interesting, but while it is practical, when it comes to boot space it is limited and there is no privacy in the car at all in the interior. That being said, they are very suitable to everyday use, and easy and fun to drive, and you'll be hard pressed to see one around on the road, I still have only seen one other on the road, and that was in Bosnia!
Prices for driveable cars start at ~1000 quid mark, with that going up depending on condition.
I drive an '88 ES, but I recommend them all on what other enthusiasts have said. The 1.7 is peppy and in B18E (non cat) form usefully quick, the Turbo builds on this, but the 2.0 is ideal when it comes to motorway driving, though all engines are happy cruising all day.
Hope this helps you, we have a few rescue cars that will need homing so be sure to ask Jifflemon and Dragonflyjewels about those!
Welcome to the club
Ben
Re: New member, looking for a 480
Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2020 6:47 pm
by dragonflyjewels
Hello Howard, and welcome to the club !
Currently we have a 1.7 pre-cat car in the process of being mechanically restored - the bodywork is in great condition with no visible rust around the rear wheel arches which is where 480s usually rust first. It's low mileage and has a great history file - every service invoice from day 1,all but one of its old mot certificates and loads of tax discs - all the things classic car lovers want.
Have a look on here - we dubbed it R1 simply because it was the first rescue car we bought : -
viewtopic.php?f=19&t=36197&p=221107&hil ... ar#p221107
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=36206&hilit=Rescue+pool+car
If you do decide to take the plunge into 480 ownership there is always a lot of help and advice on here for when you run into problems - these were very advanced cars for their age and there's a lot to learn ! There is also a lot to appreciate which is why so many club members who sold their 480 and bought something else then regretted their loss and ended up buying another 480.
Re: New member, looking for a 480
Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2020 6:57 pm
by dcwalker
Welcome Howard
I'll echo what the others have all said - if you're going to take this particular plunge, then brace yourself for frustration at times, but also be ready to be pleasantly surprised by a greatly under-estimated car, whose reputation was unfairly tarnished by problems in early models. Volvo mostly solved those as time progressed, but the damage was done.
The spec was excellent for its day - it's still not particularly left behind on that front and heralded many features now commonplace. They're comfortable, surprisingly nippy, and at last gathering the support they deserved.
Road holding is superb - Lotus had a hand in suspension design and you can pull 0.9g without straying from your course, which is good even today.
Ok, so we're biased on here - but a friendly bunch who between us believe these days we can help solve nearly every possible problem you might encounter.
Final warning - once these cars are under your skin you'll never fully leave them....
David
Re: New member, looking for a 480
Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2020 7:54 pm
by dragonflyjewels
As a further warning - I have been in contact with someone who sold a 480 Celebration at the beginning of September and regretted it before the buyer even arrived to collect it. I've just had an email from him to say he missed it so much, he has just come back from Co Meath in Ireland with a 480 Two Tone......
Re: New member, looking for a 480
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2020 5:31 am
by Martin Mc
Hello Howard & welcome to the Forum!
It is hard to put your finger on precisely what makes the Volvo 480 such an endearing car, as there are so many little quirks and features that draw you in - and once hooked you will stay hooked! I should know, as I've had 6 since 2004 (well technically 5, as I'm on my second stint with one particular car)..
I do hope you find a good example and become a regular contributor on here. It is a fantastic friendly and fun group of enthusiasts, with everything from daily drivers to back to the metal restorations and super car conversions too. You might well be very neatly positioned to take on one of the R vehicles recently rescued and undergoing thorough 'sorting' which would be an excellent way into the fold.
Good luck & see you around!
Martin
Re: New member, looking for a 480
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2020 9:08 am
by hdickins
Thank you everyone! I feel very welcomed already!
I think finding a suitable car could be quite a challenge. I notice from howmanyleft that there are under a 1000 still in existence in the UK.
Normally the advice for cult cars seems to run: "Don't buy the first one you see" or "look at a few before you dive-in" - but with so few around that might be difficult! But I can already see from your sig-blocks how many of you seem to own or have owned more than one, so they must be quite habit-forming.
As for cars that are for sale, I can see only one at present - a white 1.7 on ebay (and C&C etc)
The details seem sketchy, no MOT yet, but it will have this week??? It looks like a speculative dealer wants to pass it on, and I'm not convinced by the deal.
I know... I should just be more patient.
Thanks again for the welcome, and I imagine I'll be logging on here frequently.
Howard
1992 MB 190e 1.8
No 480 (yet)
Re: New member, looking for a 480
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2020 9:33 am
by arthuy
If you let us know where you are I am sure some local owner would give you a once over of a 480 in the metal.
Re: New member, looking for a 480
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2020 9:56 am
by MisterH
hdickins wrote: ↑Sat Sep 19, 2020 9:08 am
Thank you everyone! I feel very welcomed already!
I think finding a suitable car could be quite a challenge. I notice from howmanyleft that there are under a 1000 still in existence in the UK.
Normally the advice for cult cars seems to run: "Don't buy the first one you see" or "look at a few before you dive-in" - but with so few around that might be difficult! But I can already see from your sig-blocks how many of you seem to own or have owned more than one, so they must be quite habit-forming.
As for cars that are for sale, I can see only one at present - a white 1.7 on ebay (and C&C etc)
The details seem sketchy, no MOT yet, but it will have this week??? It looks like a speculative dealer wants to pass it on, and I'm not convinced by the deal.
I know... I should just be more patient.
Thanks again for the welcome, and I imagine I'll be logging on here frequently.
Howard
1992 MB 190e 1.8
No 480 (yet)
That white one on eBay is little more than a joke for what he is asking for it, we have had a very amusing thread on it!
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=36167
This is R1, while it is definitely a bit worse for wear, I trust Jeff to work his magic, it may be a while, but when it's done, it will be in with a shot at being one of the best out there:
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=36206
Re: New member, looking for a 480
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2020 10:37 am
by hdickins
I live in Cardiff.
And it would be lovely to meet a local owner and see their car. (I don't mind travelling to them if that's easier)
And I suspected the white one might be a bit of a 'chancer'
Howard
Re: New member, looking for a 480
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2020 12:23 pm
by Matt Columbo
Hi and welcome.
I'm also new here having joined this forum a few months ago so I can't give you anymore advice than the experienced members. I've owned both 190s and 480s and I made a similar choice to you earlier this year. I bought my 3rd 480 after a 10yr break. I love 190s, fantastic cars but personally it never got under my skin in the same way as the wedge. It won't feel quite as solid as your 190, but in terms of 'smile per mile', the 480 is easily victorious for me.
Good luck.
Re: New member, looking for a 480
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2020 9:08 pm
by dcwalker
hdickins wrote: ↑Sat Sep 19, 2020 9:08 am
Thank you everyone! I feel very welcomed already!
I think finding a suitable car could be quite a challenge. I notice from howmanyleft that there are under a 1000 still in existence in the UK.
Normally the advice for cult cars seems to run: "Don't buy the first one you see" or "look at a few before you dive-in" - but with so few around that might be difficult! But I can already see from your sig-blocks how many of you seem to own or have owned more than one, so they must be quite habit-forming.
As for cars that are for sale, I can see only one at present - a white 1.7 on ebay (and C&C etc)
The details seem sketchy, no MOT yet, but it will have this week??? It looks like a speculative dealer wants to pass it on, and I'm not convinced by the deal.
I know... I should just be more patient.
Thanks again for the welcome, and I imagine I'll be logging on here frequently.
Howard
1992 MB 190e 1.8
No 480 (yet)
Hi Howard
It sounds as if you have the measure of us already!
Unless it comes down to a sub-£1000 price and has an MOT, personally I'd advise giving that white one a very wide berth - perhaps by now you've had a chance to read the thread on it?
Although it's gone quiet again just now, there does seem to be something of a resurgence of 480s coming up for sale in recent months, so bide your time and hopefully the right car come up soon. You might need to travel, but if it's near one of us we have been known to go and have a look and report back for people...
Good luck!
David
Between us we usually post on here when a 480 comes up for sale - and all pass judgment, of course!
Re: New member, looking for a 480
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2020 9:09 pm
by dcwalker
dcwalker wrote: ↑Sat Sep 19, 2020 9:08 pm
hdickins wrote: ↑Sat Sep 19, 2020 9:08 am
Thank you everyone! I feel very welcomed already!
I think finding a suitable car could be quite a challenge. I notice from howmanyleft that there are under a 1000 still in existence in the UK.
Normally the advice for cult cars seems to run: "Don't buy the first one you see" or "look at a few before you dive-in" - but with so few around that might be difficult! But I can already see from your sig-blocks how many of you seem to own or have owned more than one, so they must be quite habit-forming.
As for cars that are for sale, I can see only one at present - a white 1.7 on ebay (and C&C etc)
The details seem sketchy, no MOT yet, but it will have this week??? It looks like a speculative dealer wants to pass it on, and I'm not convinced by the deal.
I know... I should just be more patient.
Thanks again for the welcome, and I imagine I'll be logging on here frequently.
Howard
1992 MB 190e 1.8
No 480 (yet)
Hi Howard
It sounds as if you have the measure of us already!
And yes, they are definitely habit-forming!!
Unless it comes down to a sub-£1000 price and has an MOT, personally I'd advise giving that white one a very wide berth - perhaps by now you've had a chance to read the thread on it?
Although it's gone quiet again just now, there does seem to be something of a resurgence of 480s coming up for sale in recent months, so bide your time and hopefully the right car come up soon. You might need to travel, but if it's near one of us we have been known to go and have a look and report back for people...
Good luck!
David
Between us we usually post on here when a 480 comes up for sale - and all pass judgment, of course!
Re: New member, looking for a 480
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2020 9:32 pm
by hdickins
Well, an advert has turned up... With a pricetag of £5500, which is a bit rich for me. But I thought I'd report it here anyway.
It's in Warsash, near Southampton (my hometown, even though I live in Cardiff now)
https://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-mot ... NMARKETING
I confess, I'm quite conflicted! I'd really like to own one, but I'm also worried that my wife won't be so happy with it. (She doesn't drive and defers to me on such matters, but she might find a 480 too low to get into, as they're a few inches lower than my old CLK) Of course I *could* own more than one car.
(But not at £5500)
Anyway, I have some soul-searching to do!
Howard
(Also, thanks again for your encouragements)
Re: New member, looking for a 480
Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2020 6:07 am
by MisterH
hdickins wrote: ↑Tue Sep 22, 2020 9:32 pm
Well, an advert has turned up... With a pricetag of £5500, which is a bit rich for me. But I thought I'd report it here anyway.
It's in Warsash, near Southampton (my hometown, even though I live in Cardiff now)
https://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-mot ... NMARKETING
I confess, I'm quite conflicted! I'd really like to own one, but I'm also worried that my wife won't be so happy with it. (She doesn't drive and defers to me on such matters, but she might find a 480 too low to get into, as they're a few inches lower than my old CLK) Of course I *could* own more than one car.
(But not at £5500)
Anyway, I have some soul-searching to do!
Howard
(Also, thanks again for your encouragements)
Well it is in Hampshire so I can have a look if you want (though probably not this weekend as I have a lot on), but it is near me
but I can tell you right away that is not a 5k car, not with those wheel trims and that gearbox anyway, and the badge
and there is only one picture on the Ad...
But, it does look very clean, low miles looked after, still not 5.5k but one of the most credible claims to that price tag that isn't a spotless Turbo or SE
Edit: We can probably view it this Saturday if you want
Re: New member, looking for a 480
Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2020 7:00 am
by hdickins
Thanks for the offer MisterH.
I think it's beyond my budget anyway. (Even if it shouldn't be.)
And it looks like I'll be imminently locked-down very soon.
Re: New member, looking for a 480
Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2020 8:00 am
by MisterH
hdickins wrote: ↑Wed Sep 23, 2020 7:00 am
Thanks for the offer MisterH.
I think it's beyond my budget anyway. (Even if it shouldn't be.)
And it looks like I'll be imminently locked-down very soon.
No problem,
It's owned by an enthusiast that is known to the club, Launch Car Keith, but it is just about the worst combination 480 you could get, albeit in very clean condition
Re: New member, looking for a 480
Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2020 10:02 am
by brinkie
Worst as in it's got the 1.7 catalysed engine (75 kW instead of 80) with power-sapping auto box?
Re: New member, looking for a 480
Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2020 12:46 pm
by hdickins
I'm surprised to see that thye built the 1.7 in 1994.
I thought it would be all 2.0litre cars by that time.
Re: New member, looking for a 480
Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2020 3:40 pm
by dragonflyjewels
I'm surprised to see that thye built the 1.7 in 1994.
I thought it would be all 2.0litre cars by that time.
Only carried on doing 1.7s because of the contracted number agreed with Renault before production started, and before they realised the 480 wasn't going to sell in huge numbers thanks to the rubbishing it got from the motoring press. When the special edition two tone was introduced, it was only available as a 1.7 in order to get the remaining engines sold as the 2ltr was in the pipeline. Once they got down to a more comfortable stock level, they introduced a 2 ltr two tone.