Volvo 940 - How sensible as a daily?

I've had a 940 for about 10 years now although it's not quite a daily driver as most of the time I have either had jobs that are within cycling distance or been looking after the children.
My car started life as a non turbo auto 2.3. The engine was OK and it went pretty well the auto box really annoyed me after a while. The standard handling is a bit interesting if you are used to a slightly new designed car as well.
I decided the auto box had to go and ended up buying a doner car. The car I bought had to be a turbo to get the better late gearbox so I thought I might as well have a turbo as well !

Possibly the best model to get would be a late 2.3 from 1996 onwards. The low pressure turbo version might not have been stressed quite as much as the hpt 165bhp one but they came with a slightly different axle ratio. Late cars had better sound insulation and slightly improved brakes over the earlier ones.

One thing that can be a pain is that a lot of 940's came with nivomat rear shocks. These are expansive to replace so most people fit heavy duty rear springs and standard shocks. Doing this does affect the ride comfort a bit.

What model and year is the one you have been offered ? If you have any more specific questions just ask.

This is mine, looks very standard which is just how it was planned.

I thought I had done a thread on my old one, but I hadn't, only the old ad :link...

Do it.

Mine was a '97 LPT in purple, ended up ~200hp with a boost gauge and manual valve. Cut springs to firm it up, very wallowy as standard.

Bear in mind 200hp in 1400kg is mk1 Audi S3 territory, without 4WD losses. ~230hp can easily be had with a turbo from an 850 T5 and different injectors. More requires clutch, intercooler, exhaust and eventually box work. Standard bottom end is capable of 500ish. You can go very silly if you want!

Fuel consumption isn't great, I used to get 25mpg mixed but once I sold it realised how fast I'd been driving everywhere!!

If you don't need an estate, the saloons are significantly cheaper and less trashed. If you can get a 96 or 97 they are better equipped for power increases.

Should be a winner, just take it for a test drive. They feel really nice to drive even when they're tired so if it feels knackered, it probably is!

Don't pay too much for one.

A 92 I think is pre-oil squirters (90% sure) so just listen out for that cylinder slap. Otherwise, should be good.

Going for a test drive on Saturday so will update accordingly.

Having had 2 x T5R's and a V70R in the past I am looking for little 'tweek' to get me in the 230-250hp range.

Looks like a Turbo, Tune, injectors and an exhaust will get me where I need to be.

As for fuel economy, if I can get 25 I will be happy as it will only be used for business miles and my mileage allowance will more than cover it.

Now I just hope that the one I am going to see is not a nail!

P.

Apart from the turbo engine and manual box mine is running more boost, modified fuel and ignition chips and a slightly less restrictive exhaust. With this set-up it really needs to be run on Optimax or similar and is safe for 14psi. The suspension has been stiffened up a fair amount, chopped diesel springs on the front, heavy duty rear springs and better shocks. I fitted the biggest diameter anti-roll bars Volvo made front and rear and have increased the camber on the front. As standard a combination of soft front springs and lots of roll eats the edges of the front tyres and the amount of body roll when pushing on a bit is quite alarming.
As mentioned alloy wheels are a bit of a pain unless you want to spend a few £££. Volvo ones are available but I decided on a set of 7x16 Peugeot steels along with spacers needed to fit them. They do look a bit naff with the wheel trims but allow much better then standard tyres to be fitted as well as front brakes off a V70.

Having said all that it's not anything special it's a lot nicer to drive as a daily. I still have the one I bought to get the engine from. I rather fancy doing something more interesting with that. I understand it's possible to bolt various Audi/VW engines onto the diesel verion of the M90 Volvo gearbox so a nice V8 could be fun. That along with no trim, wide banded steels and suitable low suspension !
That wouldn't get in the local multi storey car park as a daily though.

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I'm just considering the same myself, looking for a 940 turbo so will keep an eye on this thread and keep you posted when i take the plunge.

As much as I'd like an MX5 or the like, a big load lugger will be infinitely more practical, along with it being Swedish and turbo'd!

Slight update. Went to see the 940 yesterday evening on way home.

Oh dear.... Body wise, Good. Interior, very good and then it all went down hill. Wasn't a turbo. Hadn't done the stated mileage, more like 300k, wasnt a turbo , and the poor old engine was smoking for england.

Plus it was now nearly double the price since the owners son had told him it was "collectable".

And it still wasn't a turbo.

Pass! But now got the need to itch this scratch so stay tuned!

P.

My Grandfather was a big fan of the 7/9series Volvos and had several of them. They're incredibly comfortable cars - I have never been in a car with better seats.