ToomanyVolvos

I'd say rust is the main consideration on an early (pre 87/88) one of these. If it only has surface rust and is a decent runner with only the damage mentioned 1800 isn't unrealistic. They'll probably take less of course, what market is there for the parts? They'll be lucky to make half that back even with all the effort involved…. But then if the boss thinks 1800 is fair he might rather crush it than take a dollar less.

Been a while since I've been proactive on the forum and with the platform changes I'm not even sure if I'm posting this to the right section of the forum, so someone let me know if I've got it wrong.

My daughter's white 89 240 wagon, the Gremlin, has given me a full year of chasing issues like no other car I've ever known. I did bring it back from the dead after an accident that probably should have let the old girl RIP after something like half a million KLM.

One of the latest two is no headlights after sitting a few months resolving some other items.

Checked the earth, Swapped in another step relay under the bonnet, still no lights.

Tonight I swapped the "main relay" as per https://www.240turbo.com/headlightrelay.html

I swapped with an updated Bosch 0 332 016 006 I had on hand, which I understand is the "K" relay replacement.

Wasn't hard to get to TBH, and didn't require shifter console removal as per video in that link.

Still no headlights .

Next step was to tinker in the area of the lamp warning "cylinder" behind the glove box. A few technical taps, some tickling and still no headlights. Then, as in the photo attached, I saw adjacent the warning relay another that looked just like another "K" relay (just left of the FPR), which on closer inspection had identical pins and was red hot to touch. So I just took the original "K" relay that I'd just removed and tried it in that location. BINGO, lights working PERFECTLY! In fact brighter than I recall in high and low, except the in the off position the parker lights remain on (including with engine off).

If anyone is still following my saga, the relay I swapped behind the glove box with the old "K" relay that solved the headlight issue was Bosch 0332015012, which appears to be a hazard lamp relay, WTF?

I'll source another 0332015012 (can't find a cross reference for the new equivalent) and put it where the original was just left of the FPR, but nowhere I've read talks about this being part of the headlight circuit, so I don't know how it made my headlights better than ever whilst not allowing me to turn off the park lights.

If it's only the rubber top strut mounts this is just a service item you need to do every 80-120K or so. Doesn't mean you need replacement struts - I could sell you a good used set but would recommend replacing the rubber top strut mounts on those anyway.

Parts are under $40/side from Sparesbox (Sachs).

OdinsRedblock

Until a few years ago, I only ever looked at 740s as potential donors to my 240s.

Around the same time I got my license and bought my first 240, my uncle sold his 740 to my cousin. I remember my teenage mind thinking how much cooler my 240 was.

My Dad bought a 1990 740 Turbo in about 95 and it was a pretty awesome car. The soft tan leather was lovely when it was so young. It was also the first turbo car I’d ever been in.. that thing had some get up! Although the car already felt somewhat dated visually. This was around the same time the curves or the Ford Taurus and Hyundai S Coupe graced our roads.. okay, dramatic (and hideous) examples. But the contrast was there and to a young boy, those edges were a bit embarrassing.

The car seemed somewhat cursed though. Whether it was because of the way my Dad drove it, because of it’s life with previous owners or because it was a 740, I’m not sure. But my uncle always seemed to be doing work on it.

Meanwhile, my mother was approaching 500,000kms in the 85 240 she’d had since about 1990. She had the oil changed about every 50,000kms or something and it basically never needed maintenance.

I think it’s interesting how design comes around. And trends in music and fashion seem to permeate other facets of life like cars and furniture. It’s a complicated thing.. something to do with the eye becoming accustomed to a certain aesthetic that becomes zeitgeist, which then accentuates the interest in visually striking aesthetic alternatives. Adopting styles that oppose the zeitgeist become a motif of the young, the alternative and the divergent. They become a symbol of rebellion.

The highly stylised, sleek, sharp and aggressive designs of modern cars are in such stark opposition to the style of old Volvos. They just look.. daggy. Right? I mean I think they look wonderful.. but when you sit it next to an Audi E-Tron, the old Volvo really doesn’t look like it’s trying. And it doesn’t really look like it gives a fuck either. And neither does the owner. And that’s part of what we love isn’t it?

Since the 240 has become a totem for some segments of the younger generation, they’ve somehow lost a little bit of their appeal to me. I mean I love 240s.. but part of why I love old Volvos is because you don’t see a lot of them. They’re a bit different. And I lived through a time when I’d ride in a Volvo with my parents in the 90s and get yelled at for being in a Volvo. Usually by people in old Commodores. I do live in Queensland so that probably was a part of it. But nowadays, I see a 240 on just about every block. I’d be driving my 240 around and I’d look over and there’s be one next to me with a young guy giving me thumbs up. I love the brotherhood.. but I do like to feel like my car is a bit rare or unique or special. I’ve never seen one red 850R wagon on the roads in the 4 years I’ve had mine. Although I did cross paths with another 72 140 on the school run one morning!

But.. this rise in popularity in the 240 has put the 740 in a peculiar position.. it’s now the alternative. It’s the oddball. I’m sure there are probably guys out there in 240s who have not even seen a 740 on the road. I can’t remember the last time I saw one on the road (aside from at my local Volvo mechanic). So all of a sudden, I am drawn to the 740. The sharp lines and masculine silhouette only serve to add to the attraction. When I got mine recently, I invited my mate around for a look and he’s staring at it and he’s like.. “I like it.. like, I really like it. There’s something so.. strong about it.”

They say Volvos are boxy. Well, there’s no Volvo more boxy than a 700 series. This is a Volvo for Volvo lovers. And the fact it’s still available at a cheaper price, is also another attribute that drew us all to Volvos in the first place. The fact it’s got the beloved Redblock drivetrain and is available in turbo from the factory is the cherry on top.

Interesting take on it all and your own experience.

I've owned and enjoyed countless 240's and 740's, and still have about a dozen of each, at least.

I just don't drive my 240's. Well I do, but just not really out of any particular choice, nor regularly. Don't get me wrong, I love them, but it's always a 740 that takes my interest and choice. If I want the comfort for a 3 hour journey, the 740 wins. If I want the extra spirit of the Turbo, again it's the 740 (I like my red block turbo's to stay where they belong, they aren't donor cars).

The 740 also takes my eye as the more iconic visual design - unapologetic, striking and beautiful (except the soft nose 90 model). The 240 really wasn't that much different visually than many of its contemporaries, even if it was remembered as standing out. Of course it had plenty of good reasons to stand out compared to the many mediocre competitors of its time.

My 2 cents worth on the 240/740. I have several of each for sale, but I'd be happy if half my 240's sold and I got to keep all my 740's.