Volvo S40 Information

4ndy89 · 15 Jul 2007 at 22:57

Hi guys, bit of a quick Q really, I'm looking to upgrade to a volvo s40 and just wondered if anyone knows anything that I should be aware of with them?

Also I remember theres a guy on the forum with a Volvo s40 in his sig, anyone know his contact details?

Thanks for any help
Andy

Also does anybody know of any S40 owners club?s, I had a quick google but only returned general volvo clubs which had little or no s40's in the for sale section.

[TW]Fox · 15 Jul 2007 at 23:28

There are two S40's.

The original 1996-2004 S40.
The all new 2004- S40.

The original one is crap, it's not a proper Volvo, it's not built at the Volvo factory, and the diesel engines are French. It has more in common with the Mitsubishi Carisma. The only even worth thinking about is the T4. The rest are rubbish. Shame as they look nice.

The new one is totally different. It's based on the Focus platform, and is actually a very good car.

The guy with the S40 in his sig is a bit misleading, he's got this amazing looking new shape S40 in his sig, but I was rather dissapointed when he said he actually has a 98 1.8 or something

4ndy89 · 15 Jul 2007 at 23:31

I was actually looking at this on pistonheads

http://pistonheads.com/sales/198662.htm

would have already gone for a look, but that recon engine is putting me off for no apparent reason.

[TW]Fox · 15 Jul 2007 at 23:33

Hate those but I'll shut up 'cos Dandle will tell me off, all I will add is that if you want a Volvo get a proper one and get an S70 or an S60 or something.

4ndy89 · 15 Jul 2007 at 23:36

It's not so much the fact that it is a Volvo for me, I am trying to find a nice comfortable car for around 2-3k which will do me nicely for a few years, I do roughly 8k a year.

Sone · 16 Jul 2007 at 08:40

4ndy89 said:
It's not so much the fact that it is a Volvo for me, I am trying to find a nice comfortable car for around 2-3k which will do me nicely for a few years, I do roughly 8k a year.

could you not spend the 2-3k on amazing power mods for you almera

ci_newman · 16 Jul 2007 at 11:53

4ndy89 said:
It's not so much the fact that it is a Volvo for me, I am trying to find a nice comfortable car for around 2-3k which will do me nicely for a few years, I do roughly 8k a year.

Does a top-spec mondeo fall into that price range?

Burnsy2023 · 16 Jul 2007 at 12:38

4ndy89 said:
I was actually looking at this on pistonheads

http://pistonheads.com/sales/198662.htm

would have already gone for a look, but that recon engine is putting me off for no apparent reason.

The phase II T4s were discontinued in April 2001, and Volvo put a lot of work into refinements when the Phase II was launched, so you've got one of the better models.

Don't worry about the reconned engine, the engines are absolutely solid as long as the coolent is replace regularly. Check the oil as sludge may build up blocking the oil pickup and galleries, so have a quick look on the dispstick and oil filler cap.

Check the turbo as well as I know some people had issues on earlier T4s, although I think Volvo used a different turbo in the later ones.

And check for general knock and bumps on a test drive, the engine mounts were prone to degenerating quite quickly.

As for owners clubs, check www.volvo-forums.com and www.volvoforums.org.uk, they can answer pretty much any question under the sun.

Overall, dispite what Fox says, they're pretty good cars, but beware, the T4 chassis can be a bit unforgiving.

Burnsy

Dandle · 16 Jul 2007 at 15:23

The T4 ran right up to the end of phase 2 production in 2003/4.

The only ones to steer clear of are the very early pre 98 cars as they had some quailty and electrical issues. Phase 1 cars(96-2000) have some suspension issues with bushes wearing and the suspension can be a little harsh. Phase 2 cars have improved suspension and are worth paying a bit more for.

They are all pretty reliable and the S/V40 came 15 out of the top 100 cars being the highest placed Volvo, 7 places higher than the highest ford(Audis top car was 30th and BMWs in at 47th). So how it can be said they arent a proper Volvo I dont know, no Volvo for the past 10 years has been built like the 2** series(but i guess some people dont realise that

).

They are designed and built well and working on them is pretty easy. The larger engined cars make very good cruisers, my T4 came back from Southampton to west London with four people and luggage@90+mph and still returned 32mpg. Around town I get between 24-26mpg although I do boot it about at every chance. They are very quick cars and are fanatstic fun to drive.

The T4 has the same M56 gearbox as the bigger T5s and with the 4 cyclinder engine is a bullit proof combo if it has regular oil changes. There are a few cars with well over 200k miles on them running on the Standard Volvo service schedule. The turbos arent normally problems again if they have been looked after but the phase 2 cars have a twin scroll turbo which reduces the lag slightly. They are a very popular car over the world with lots of tuning parts availabel if thats what your into, some of the swedes have 400+bhp S and V40s running on the streets.

Check out http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/ http://www.volvo-forums.com/ http://www.s40concepts.net/

For reviews try here and here

[TW]Fox · 16 Jul 2007 at 15:36

Dandle said:
How it can be said they arent a proper Volvo I dont know

Not built by Volvo

Dandle · 16 Jul 2007 at 15:38

But nedcar was setup by Volvo and Mitsubishi with two totally seperate lines for the different companies. Who built it then?

[TW]Fox · 16 Jul 2007 at 15:40

It was a joint operation between Volvo and Mitsubishi to build cheap cars.

Mechanical Arts · 16 Jul 2007 at 15:42

My dads V40 has done 170k miles with no problems and the mechanic at our local volvo garage says he gets a V40 coming in for servicing which has done 350k!

Burnsy2023 · 16 Jul 2007 at 15:45

[TW]Fox said:
Not built by Volvo

That's not true. Although they both shared the same design they were built both by Volvo and Mitsubishi and share only a few components.

Burnsy

Dandle · 16 Jul 2007 at 15:49

[TW]Fox said:
It was a joint operation between Volvo and Mitsubishi to build cheap cars.

Thats common practicle now to share platforms or build cars in other contries to save money. The old A3 was built in hungary doesnt mean its not a proper Audi. The interior on my 99 T4 SE is much nicer place to be than my workmates 06 Focus Titanium.

Axeboy · 16 Jul 2007 at 20:12

Just my bit...

My old man had two s40's before his current new s40.

The new one is all good, but far too much like a focus

Anyways... the older one was very smooth and reliable. Good enough equipment, looked good, reliable and the ride was great.

broona · 16 Jul 2007 at 20:41

I had a '99 S40 T4 SE 2 years ago, and loved it! Was fast as standard, but fitted a free flow filter and got it remapped with an Upsolute map by this nice man - http://www.ccctech.co.uk/ which turned it into a bit of an animal!

Only downside for me was fuel economy, struggled to get over 20mpg even whilst 'attempting' to drive it gently, but build quality/reliability were spot on, a couple of minor problems, but which cars don't? Get one.

Locky · 3 Feb 2008 at 22:08

I know its an old thread, sorry... but phase II volvo v40 would be arround a 51plate?

reason i ask ive been looking at a 51 plate v40 2.0t se

4ndy89 · 3 Feb 2008 at 22:13

According to a post above Phase 1 was 96-2000 so I would presume it's phase 2 buddy.

[TW]Fox · 3 Feb 2008 at 22:25

TiZoR said:
I know its an old thread, sorry... but phase II volvo v40 would be arround a 51plate?

reason i ask ive been looking at a 51 plate v40 2.0t se

Phase 2 is just a tarted version of the first car. Don't bother, get a 2004 onwards one as it's actually a good car. Otherwise get an S60 instead, as its a proper Volvo and miles better.