After 9 years and 10 months...

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.

Moderators: jifflemon, coyote1980, Rachel

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Murf
Friend of Club 480 Europe
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After 9 years and 10 months...

Post by Murf » Mon Nov 12, 2018 2:33 pm

I got another 480! :D

I was digging through some boxes of books in the loft and found my 400 series HBOL and some other Volvo books, thinking how long it had been since I sold my last 480.

The next day my mate sent me a link to a GT for sale a few hours drive away. Long story short, 2 weeks later it was sitting on my drive 😁

It's a 94 L reg, 2 owners from new and 75k miles on the clock.
It's been well looked after, some years having done only 1500 miles between services. It's also had a brand new front subframe in 2008 and various other parts.

It's surprisingly clean underneath, not what I expected. The arches are a bit crusty but the chassis is in great nick!
It had a fuel leak when I got it, the fuel union that joins to the filter had corroded and had a tiny pinhole in it. The parts diagram at Volvo didn't even show that part so I've replaced it with a universal fuel filter.
I've also changed the oil, oil filter, air filter, brake fluid. Also the front wishbone bushes and ball joints and the tyres we're pretty old and cracked, rear window wiring was shot and the front lights were not working properly.

Currently working on undersealing the chassis and subframe, then I've to replace the rotten exhaust and the cracked DRL lenses. I'm hoping to get it back on the road by spring, I didn't know how much I missed 480's until I got back into one. I think this is my 7th!

A real stumbling point seems to the the amount of parts that are now discontinued, even with one of my mates working at Volvo parts department 😟

So, Hi to all the people who have joined in the last decade and nice to see a few of the oldies still here too...
Kia Pro'ceed GT 1.6 Turbo
1992 480 Turbo
2007 Focus ST

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Murf
Friend of Club 480 Europe
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Re: After 9 years and 10 months...

Post by Murf » Mon Nov 12, 2018 2:55 pm

Kia Pro'ceed GT 1.6 Turbo
1992 480 Turbo
2007 Focus ST

Rachel
480 Is my middle name
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Location: Bucks

Re: After 9 years and 10 months...

Post by Rachel » Mon Nov 12, 2018 3:00 pm

Hey! welcome back to the flock! Nice 480, I hope you'll have many miles of fun in her :D
'95 Storm Grey 323 Manual Turbo, Richmod
----------------------------------------------------------
'95 Flame Red Celeb, Nos.191, 2 litre, LPG, used to be Adams ;) SOLD
'95 Vase Green Turbo~ Vanessa~ 'Serendipity' manual, Richmod. RIP
'90 Light Blue 480 Turbo auto....RIP
'68 VW Type 3 1.6 auto Lotus White,Swedish import. SOLD
Audi 80 coupe Gold...pimp my ride! RIP
'76 Bug, Ocean Blue, lowered, Empi wheels.RIP
'72 Bay window VW Camper 1600 twinport. Sold

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jamescarruthers
480 Is my middle name
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Re: After 9 years and 10 months...

Post by jamescarruthers » Mon Nov 12, 2018 3:19 pm

Welcome back Murf. It is very good to see you back on here.

You are right, parts are much harder to get now but do give us all a shout on here if you are stuck and our collective conscience manages to solve most things. Unfortunately prices are more eye watering when things get difficult now!‎
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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Murf
Friend of Club 480 Europe
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Re: After 9 years and 10 months...

Post by Murf » Mon Nov 12, 2018 8:46 pm

I remember with my last 480 I just walked into Euro parts and bought a pair of new front clusters for £70!
I guess those days are gone 😂

What's the availability of things like axle bushes like? I'm thinking that at 25 years old they must be nearly past their best.
Kia Pro'ceed GT 1.6 Turbo
1992 480 Turbo
2007 Focus ST

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jamescarruthers
480 Is my middle name
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Re: After 9 years and 10 months...

Post by jamescarruthers » Mon Nov 12, 2018 9:38 pm

Suspension is all easily available. I've just. Had every single bush replaced.
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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Murf
Friend of Club 480 Europe
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Location: Inverness
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Re: After 9 years and 10 months...

Post by Murf » Tue Nov 13, 2018 7:02 pm

Where's the best places to get bits these days?
Kia Pro'ceed GT 1.6 Turbo
1992 480 Turbo
2007 Focus ST

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

Re: After 9 years and 10 months...

Post by jifflemon » Tue Nov 13, 2018 11:14 pm

Now there's a familiar username......

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jamescarruthers
480 Is my middle name
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Re: After 9 years and 10 months...

Post by jamescarruthers » Wed Nov 14, 2018 8:28 am

Murf wrote:
Tue Nov 13, 2018 7:02 pm
Where's the best places to get bits these days?
As you can imagine, the days of walking in to the Volvo dealer, Euro Car Parts and GSF are long gone‎.

My first port of call nowadays is pretty much always Mister Auto and Auto Doc. Mostly these are delivered from Europe so don't expect next day delivery in most cases.

Polar Parts had a lot of the rear suspension parts in at a decent price‎

Failing that I try Skandix but remember that they are often expensive. I think they've done their research though so you do get the right parts. Often they are selling unbranded parts so I don't think you are always getting value for money. 

I've also had luck with Volvo 340 Onderdelen for some difficult to get parts. Weirdly some bolts for the back end I could only get from a Volvo Penta marine engine specialist!

eBay has been part God-send and part nightmare. Yes, I've gotten some difficult to get parts easily and at a good price but I've had a few experiences where they've took my money then returned it in a few days later and said that the part isn't available. Nothing too underhand there but it slows you down on a rebuild. ‎I seem to remember strut tops were from eBay.

Lastly, Bilstein B4 suspension struts are easily available but we're significantly cheaper from spring-loaded.co.uk‎ and they had very good communications and service ethics.

So, beggars can't be choosers and we do have to deal with big postage bills and eBay sellers who list stuff that they hope they can provide but a lot of it is still available.

If you get stuck, especially with the suspension stuff, feel free to drop me a line and I'll dig through my emails to see where I got it from. ‎

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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brinkie
480 Connoisseur
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Re: After 9 years and 10 months...

Post by brinkie » Wed Nov 14, 2018 8:33 am

Murf wrote:
Tue Nov 13, 2018 7:02 pm
Where's the best places to get bits these days?
I don't know the UK situation.
In Germany (Skandix.de and Polar-Parts.de -> both available in English) and Netherlands (rendcarparts.com -> in English and estateservices.nl -> in Dutch, but I can help) you can find parts supplied by Scantech and Professional Parts Sweden, who in turn let their stuff be manufactured in China.
Some German sellers like kfzteile24.de have branded stuff but the quality differs. I have Monroe suspension arms and they are starting to rust after three years and less than 10,000 miles driven.
Volvo parts have all gone, 480 specific parts like rear lights are even second had very hard to find. There are two very active Facebook groups ("Volvo 480" and "volvo480forum.com" where you have more chance of finding stuff.
Robert.

Present cars: 1994 Volvo 480 GT 2.0i, 1999 Volvo S70 2.5 Europa, 2010 Volvo V70 2.0F Momentum

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dcwalker
480 Is my middle name
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Re: After 9 years and 10 months...

Post by dcwalker » Wed Nov 14, 2018 11:01 am

Good to see an old name returning, and also good to see not just another GT back in the fold, but a red one at that, to balance out all those of us with green ones... :D

Parts situation is as others have described excellently - another useful tack is to find another 480 that's perhaps not so good for use but will still provide lots of working parts. As others have said, though, we still all try to help each other out on here with the stiocks we have managed to squirrel away between us all.

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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Murf
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Re: After 9 years and 10 months...

Post by Murf » Wed Nov 14, 2018 1:36 pm

Thanks for the advice everyone 😁

I'm pretty gutted that I sold some spare rear lights a couple of years ago. They were in decent Nick and barely even faded 😟
Kia Pro'ceed GT 1.6 Turbo
1992 480 Turbo
2007 Focus ST

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dcwalker
480 Is my middle name
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Location: York

Re: After 9 years and 10 months...

Post by dcwalker » Wed Nov 14, 2018 3:03 pm

Murf wrote:
Wed Nov 14, 2018 1:36 pm
Thanks for the advice everyone 😁

I'm pretty gutted that I sold some spare rear lights a couple of years ago. They were in decent Nick and barely even faded 😟
That's because you made the same mistake as others of us have made, and thought you were finished with 480s. I did the same with a cupholder armrest (fortunately I did manage to get another one). But the 480s always bite back sooner or later :D

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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VanDerGraaf
480 Is my middle name
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Re: After 9 years and 10 months...

Post by VanDerGraaf » Wed Jan 09, 2019 8:18 pm

Paul....I admire you! Another 480- fantastic.

I doubt I'll ever have another, not because I don't want one, but because I'd never find the time to look after it.

That GT is nice too- and in a good colour. :D
08 Renault Laguna III Sport Tourer 2.0T 4 wheel steering madness
00 Citroën XM ES9 V6 incredible

Previously:
00 W210 Mercedes E430 V8 estate LPG .....wünderbar!
00 W210 Mercedes E320cdi estate dead, eaten alive
95 Citroën XM 2.5 TD estate dead
95 Citroën XM 2.1 TD stolen/dead
'97 Saab 9000 Aero gone
Vase Green '94 Twin Pipe 480 Turbo
"Scar", Vase Green '94 Turbo dead
"Green Goblin" '93 Turbo Auto PITA, dead
Grey '88 ES dead
Steel Grey '93 480 Turbo sold and believed dead

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Richmann1
Advanced 480 rookie
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Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2004 11:53 am
Location: Hornsea

Re: After 9 years and 10 months...

Post by Richmann1 » Wed Jan 09, 2019 9:42 pm

Good to see your back Murf, few old school members still about. I've had 480s for the last 20 years now, current one 15 years. With a bit of perseverance you can find most parts but takes time.

Rich
Volvo 480 Turbo Collection no 329/480.

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Murf
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Re: After 9 years and 10 months...

Post by Murf » Sun Jul 07, 2019 8:54 pm

jifflemon wrote:
Tue Nov 13, 2018 11:14 pm
Now there's a familiar username......
Sorry, I missed this post before! Are you the same chap from the MR2 world? 😁

Hi to Rohan and Richard too, glad to hear you're both doing well 👍

480 update:

I spent the winter wrestling with rear calipers, brake lines and wishbone bushes etc. I then got it MoT'd (no advisories 😁 ) and have been tinkering with loads of wee things when I get the chance.

I'm actually really enjoying it, despite being the slowest weekend car I've owned for years. Once I got used the body roll and accepted that it did actually grip and handle well I was surprised by how quick it was for an engine with 110bhp.
It's also a very practical car, I've had various Clio Sports, TT's, Fiat Coupe etc etc and every one has required the driver to be fully forward in order for my kids to fit in the back.
The 480 is the one exception, I am fully comfortable in the front and the kids have loads of space in the back.
I never appreciated this before as it's the first 480 I've bought since my 8 and 6 year olds came along.

Long term plans are to look at sorting the arches. I've undersealed the car and it's surprisingly clean underneath. The arches will need done though, predictably 😂

After that, maybe some stiffer springs and updated brakes. Maybe also some more power somewhere along the line?

Time will tell 😁👍
Kia Pro'ceed GT 1.6 Turbo
1992 480 Turbo
2007 Focus ST

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Murf
Friend of Club 480 Europe
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Re: After 9 years and 10 months...

Post by Murf » Sun Jul 07, 2019 8:58 pm

Just noticed my profile, I joined here (having previously been on the "old" forum) just after my 23rd birthday.
My next birthday I'll be 40, boy I feel old now 😂
Kia Pro'ceed GT 1.6 Turbo
1992 480 Turbo
2007 Focus ST

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

Re: After 9 years and 10 months...

Post by jifflemon » Sun Jul 07, 2019 9:21 pm

Murf wrote:
Sun Jul 07, 2019 8:54 pm
jifflemon wrote:
Tue Nov 13, 2018 11:14 pm
Now there's a familiar username......
Sorry, I missed this post before! Are you the same chap from the MR2 world? 😁

Small world innit?

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Murf
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Re: After 9 years and 10 months...

Post by Murf » Mon Jul 08, 2019 7:38 pm

Another sucker for pop up headlights 😂

You still got an AW11 too?
Kia Pro'ceed GT 1.6 Turbo
1992 480 Turbo
2007 Focus ST

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

Re: After 9 years and 10 months...

Post by jifflemon » Mon Jul 08, 2019 8:24 pm

Yup, Mk1 and Mk3, 3 480 turbo's and a V70.... :shock:

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