New member, looking for a 480

Cleaned up the garage, found parts laying around, but it turned out to be a complete Volvo 480? If you want to sell your car (480 only) you can place an advert here.

Moderators: jifflemon, coyote1980, Rachel

hdickins
480 Newbie
Posts: 13
Joined: Fri Sep 18, 2020 4:08 pm
Location: Cardiff
Contact:

New member, looking for a 480

Post by hdickins » Fri Sep 18, 2020 4:15 pm

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
Howard
1992 MB 190e 1.8 auto
No 480 (yet)

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

Re: New member, looking for a 480

Post by MisterH » Fri Sep 18, 2020 5:58 pm

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 :D
Ben
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild

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dragonflyjewels
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1584
Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:38 am
Location: Norfolk

Re: New member, looking for a 480

Post by dragonflyjewels » Fri Sep 18, 2020 6:47 pm

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.
Sylvia

Snazzy - 1993 Paris Blue ES red dipstick 2.0i bought 2001
Lethal Lily - 1991 White Turbo
Paris the Unicorn - 1991 Paris Edition
hubby has
Sven - 1994 Racing Green GT
Evil Eva - 1992 Paris Blue Turbo

no previous 480s - can't bear to sell any

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dcwalker
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1522
Joined: Sun Sep 16, 2012 12:30 pm
Location: York

Re: New member, looking for a 480

Post by dcwalker » Fri Sep 18, 2020 6:57 pm

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
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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dragonflyjewels
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1584
Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:38 am
Location: Norfolk

Re: New member, looking for a 480

Post by dragonflyjewels » Fri Sep 18, 2020 7:54 pm

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......
Sylvia

Snazzy - 1993 Paris Blue ES red dipstick 2.0i bought 2001
Lethal Lily - 1991 White Turbo
Paris the Unicorn - 1991 Paris Edition
hubby has
Sven - 1994 Racing Green GT
Evil Eva - 1992 Paris Blue Turbo

no previous 480s - can't bear to sell any

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

Re: New member, looking for a 480

Post by Martin Mc » Sat Sep 19, 2020 5:31 am

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
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 :)

hdickins
480 Newbie
Posts: 13
Joined: Fri Sep 18, 2020 4:08 pm
Location: Cardiff
Contact:

Re: New member, looking for a 480

Post by hdickins » 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. :D

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)
Howard
1992 MB 190e 1.8 auto
No 480 (yet)

arthuy
Advanced 480 rookie
Posts: 562
Joined: Wed Apr 20, 2016 8:02 pm

Re: New member, looking for a 480

Post by arthuy » Sat Sep 19, 2020 9:33 am

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.

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

Re: New member, looking for a 480

Post by MisterH » Sat Sep 19, 2020 9:56 am

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. :D

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
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild

hdickins
480 Newbie
Posts: 13
Joined: Fri Sep 18, 2020 4:08 pm
Location: Cardiff
Contact:

Re: New member, looking for a 480

Post by hdickins » Sat Sep 19, 2020 10:37 am

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' :wink:

Howard
Howard
1992 MB 190e 1.8 auto
No 480 (yet)

Matt Columbo
480 Newbie
Posts: 14
Joined: Wed Apr 01, 2020 7:07 am

Re: New member, looking for a 480

Post by Matt Columbo » Sat Sep 19, 2020 12:23 pm

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.
Matt

'93 Black Turbo

User avatar
dcwalker
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1522
Joined: Sun Sep 16, 2012 12:30 pm
Location: York

Re: New member, looking for a 480

Post by dcwalker » 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. :D

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! :lol:

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!
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!

User avatar
dcwalker
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1522
Joined: Sun Sep 16, 2012 12:30 pm
Location: York

Re: New member, looking for a 480

Post by dcwalker » Sat Sep 19, 2020 9:09 pm

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. :D

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! :lol: 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!
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!

hdickins
480 Newbie
Posts: 13
Joined: Fri Sep 18, 2020 4:08 pm
Location: Cardiff
Contact:

Re: New member, looking for a 480

Post by hdickins » 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! :wall:

Howard

(Also, thanks again for your encouragements)
Howard
1992 MB 190e 1.8 auto
No 480 (yet)

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

Re: New member, looking for a 480

Post by MisterH » Wed Sep 23, 2020 6:07 am

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! :wall:

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 :lol:


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 :)
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild

hdickins
480 Newbie
Posts: 13
Joined: Fri Sep 18, 2020 4:08 pm
Location: Cardiff
Contact:

Re: New member, looking for a 480

Post by hdickins » 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. :(
Howard
1992 MB 190e 1.8 auto
No 480 (yet)

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

Re: New member, looking for a 480

Post by MisterH » Wed Sep 23, 2020 8:00 am

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
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
brinkie
480 Connoisseur
Posts: 857
Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2014 11:20 am
Location: The Netherlands
Contact:

Re: New member, looking for a 480

Post by brinkie » Wed Sep 23, 2020 10:02 am

Worst as in it's got the 1.7 catalysed engine (75 kW instead of 80) with power-sapping auto box?
Robert.

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

hdickins
480 Newbie
Posts: 13
Joined: Fri Sep 18, 2020 4:08 pm
Location: Cardiff
Contact:

Re: New member, looking for a 480

Post by hdickins » Wed Sep 23, 2020 12:46 pm

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.
Howard
1992 MB 190e 1.8 auto
No 480 (yet)

User avatar
dragonflyjewels
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1584
Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:38 am
Location: Norfolk

Re: New member, looking for a 480

Post by dragonflyjewels » Wed Sep 23, 2020 3:40 pm

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.
Sylvia

Snazzy - 1993 Paris Blue ES red dipstick 2.0i bought 2001
Lethal Lily - 1991 White Turbo
Paris the Unicorn - 1991 Paris Edition
hubby has
Sven - 1994 Racing Green GT
Evil Eva - 1992 Paris Blue Turbo

no previous 480s - can't bear to sell any

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