I am having problems with warping rotors on my '97 850R. This car will soon
                           be featured as Swedespeed's Project 854R and we're looking for a good
                           solution rather than just replacing the rotors.

                           Does anyone know of a relatively affordable upgrade that will rid me of this
                           problem and still allow me to run 15" winter wheels?

                           George,

                           I think that warped rotors is a pretty common thing on some Volvo models.
                           I have heard that the key problem in this occuring is the rust that is
                           between the rotor and hub. Whenever a new rotor is put on, this rust
                           needs to be cleaned out, and the rotor+wheel lugs need to be torqued to
                           the exact Volvo specs, or it will warp. I have also heard that the braking
                           habits of owners also plays a part in warped rotors. Quick hard pressure
                           braking tends to warp rotors where-as long light pressure braking keeps
                           them more level. There are a few other owners out there that have had
                           success with this procecure including me and my '95 960. I hope this helps
                           a little!

                           -Drew

                           Makes sense I guess. They were fine when I bought the car with 27K miles
                           on it. My problem I guess is that my other car is a manual VW VR6 car. At
                           highway speeds, I can let off of the gas and the torque of the engine slows
                           me. This is my first automatic car in some time, no manual available that I
                           could find, and I find myself on them a little harder, especially in heavy
                           traffic here in DC.

                           I've heard from a mechanic that warping can occur after heavy braking if
                           the car is not allowed to roll slightly after a complete stop. He said the heat
                           between the pad and rotor can create a warp so he suggested inching
                           forward enabling the pads to contact in different areas. This might also
                           make the case that the brakes aren't large enough for the car by not
                           providing adequate venting.
 

                           Maybe slotted rotors might help then in this case.

                           All I have seen in the little looking I have done so far are two things. First,
                           very expensive full-on brake kits that won't allow me to run anything smaller
                           than a 17" wheel. I have an R and that works in the summer, but I need to
                           run winter wheels here in Washington DC.

                           Next I've seen replacement rotors. I just wasn't sure if that'd help and I
                           don't want to warp good rotors.

                           I was wondering if there's any Volvo partsbin upgrade like the brake setup
                           on the S80 or something that anyone might know of.

                           I have the Tarox slotted replacement rotors on my '95 854T. They seem to
                           hold up pretty well. According to PES, all Tarox rotors go through a factory
                           3-stage heating process that prevents warpage. A customer of PES who
                           was having warping problems with his stock Audi S4 rotors when driving on
                           track gave Tarox a set of stock S4 rotors to receive the 3-stage heating
                           process. And he never warped his rotors again.

                           ------------------
                           Terence Lui -- '95 854T with TD04HL-16T turbocharger and 300/70
                           WG running at 16.5psi of boost.
                        http://members.aol.com/tlui99/auto.html