I got fed up of waiting for my 343 to be restored...

[tommysb]

Very nice.

A couple of questions. What's the difference between the T5 and the R?

And...Would it in theory be possibly to convert the AWD to RWD? I think i've heard of it done on an Impreza in the past.

[jtbo]

R is of course better

Converting to RWD is fairly impossible as shaft that drives rear wheels is so miserable and all parts have so much downsized from real RWD that it probably would not last too long. I think there were Haldex and Viscous coupling versions also, but can't remember in which models, so methods differ, I think Impreza had Haldex? Some WRX had dial to make it from FWD to RWD and anything between if I remember correctly, it does sound like Haldex in that light.

RWD in Volvo is quite namely there, it is more like hill start assistant reducing wheelspin, but at least S60R in snow can do 4 wheel fun in snow and ice.

Was it that T5 was not AWD but R always was AWD? And was there something like T5 AWD from options list? Can't remember, anyway those are pretty ok point a to point b travelling machines. Chip it and get that 300hp, but remember tire costs and front bushes + links will need replacement almost monthly with that power + weight at front

I think it is a car where driver can effect quite lot to service costs, if one uses power it tends to need lot more replacement parts.

Congrats, it is nice piece of engineering whatever version it is from T5 range

[trabitom99]

...and I'll just learn some restraint with the loud pedal

I remember Pete talking about his tyre-eating experiences on his T5

Anyway, great car ... The wife borrowed a "normal" whiteblock-850 the other week to get around while the "spring cup fail" 360 was being fixed ... and wasn't all that happy when she had to take it back

Tom

[foggyjames]

A FWD phase 1 'R' (like mine) is basically a normal top-spec T5 ("CD" trim, in the UK) with an LSD, a slightly larger turbo (10bhp more than a normal T5) and a load of extra "goodies". I don't have an exhaustive list, but it includes...
Deeper front spoiler, 17" alloys, Leather/alcantara seats, blue dials (siiiiick), nicer head unit with offboard amp, wood trimmed steering wheel...things like that.

V70Rs (but not S70Rs) were available with an AWD option, using essentially the same system as the 'normal' AWD models. The rear suspension is different (more like a true IRS than the FWD-spec delta link) and they have a rear bumper with cut-outs for an exhaust exit on each side...although only the very, very last cars actually had two pipes from the factory. These later cars got further power upgrades (generally 265bhp), with the final version (the one with twin pipes from the factory) having a unique 2.4 engine and 285bhp. All 285s were laser blue...but not all laser blue ones had the 285 setup. It gets really complex...and I don't know all the details.

All of the P2 'R' models (S60R/V70R) were AWD...and had the cool adaptive damping system.

It's not a big deal...but if you like the extra goodies (which I do), you can easily spend the ~£300 premium on fitting the different front bumper and the blue gauges (in fact, you'd be doing really well to get both items for £300)...and you get a nicer interior, and a free LSD! The latter is probably the biggest draw, to be honest.

cheers

James

[jtbo]

Ah, so model differencies are as clear as GFX adpters to computers, what a mess

LSD is indeed very good point in such powerful FWD car