Volvo S40/V50
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Discussion

Gad-Westy

Original Poster:

16,571 posts

242 months

Wednesday 29th June 2011
quotequote all
I may be going to look at one of these at the weekend. There are a couple of S40's for sale localish both 2004 with around 90,000 miles on the clock. One is 2.0D SE, the other 2.4 converted to LPG.

Any common faults I need to look for beyond the usual used car checks?

Anybody have anything positive or negative to say about them?

Mojocvh

16,837 posts

291 months

Wednesday 29th June 2011
quotequote all
Stay clear of the 4 pot oil burners.

Baryonyx

18,281 posts

188 months

Wednesday 29th June 2011
quotequote all
Can you not move up to the S60? A friend of mine had an S40 and it was a great car but not as good as the S60. Of course, I am going to have lots of good things to say about the S60 (I own one, after all!), but if you're set on an S40 then they should be good cars.

I'm not au fait with the common faults of the S40, suffice to say though that if it's looked after it should last you ages. My S60 has had one previous owner and has been very well looked after. Even now that it's 10 years old it still looks and feels brilliant and it drives wonderfully. They're remarkably well built cars, don't accept any less in terms of condition than you would for a German car of the equivalent age, because they are just as well built.

Gad-Westy

Original Poster:

16,571 posts

242 months

Wednesday 29th June 2011
quotequote all
Mojocvh said:
Stay clear of the 4 pot oil burners.
Cheers, any particular reason?

Gad-Westy

Original Poster:

16,571 posts

242 months

Wednesday 29th June 2011
quotequote all
Baryonyx said:
Can you not move up to the S60? A friend of mine had an S40 and it was a great car but not as good as the S60. Of course, I am going to have lots of good things to say about the S60 (I own one, after all!), but if you're set on an S40 then they should be good cars.

I'm not au fait with the common faults of the S40, suffice to say though that if it's looked after it should last you ages. My S60 has had one previous owner and has been very well looked after. Even now that it's 10 years old it still looks and feels brilliant and it drives wonderfully. They're remarkably well built cars, don't accept any less in terms of condition than you would for a German car of the equivalent age, because they are just as well built.
Great help thanks. The S60 is probably too big. The car would mainly be used by my other half. She finds our E46 Touring too big at the moment. I think this is partly just because our other car is only 3ft long mind.

Gad-Westy

Original Poster:

16,571 posts

242 months

Thursday 30th June 2011
quotequote all
Anybody else?

Rockape

284 posts

208 months

Thursday 30th June 2011
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I've got a 2006 S40 2.0D and have been running it for a year. Previous to this I had a V70 T5,

The engine is decent enough, yes it's underpowered when compared to the newest of similar sized diesel engines but there is plenty of torque for easy overtaking. I happy with the ecomony, I'm currently getting about 42-45mpg however I will get 50mpg on a run. It handles well and is a very smooth, quiet car to drive.

If going for the diesel be aware that some 2.0d engines are fitted with a particulate filter. This filter needs changed at the 75,000 mile service and can cost near a grand. Look at the VIN number. The key is the 8th character of the VIN:
4 = Euro 4 without additive or Particulate filter
5 = Euro 4 WITH additive and particle filter

The front seats are on a par with the V7O, very comfy chairs, plenty of adjustment and suppport. I'm six foot five which means there isn't much legroom in the back when I'm driving, but I rarely carry passengers other than my little girl. There's not much headroom in the back for tall passegers.

I've been really pleased with the car, I was concerned that it would be to small for my needs compared to the V70 now that there is a mini rockape on the go, however, it's been fine.

Spec is good across the range but try and look for a SE or SE Sport with electric seats and winter pack.




Gad-Westy

Original Poster:

16,571 posts

242 months

Thursday 30th June 2011
quotequote all
Rockape said:
I've got a 2006 S40 2.0D and have been running it for a year. Previous to this I had a V70 T5,

The engine is decent enough, yes it's underpowered when compared to the newest of similar sized diesel engines but there is plenty of torque for easy overtaking. I happy with the ecomony, I'm currently getting about 42-45mpg however I will get 50mpg on a run. It handles well and is a very smooth, quiet car to drive.

If going for the diesel be aware that some 2.0d engines are fitted with a particulate filter. This filter needs changed at the 75,000 mile service and can cost near a grand. Look at the VIN number. The key is the 8th character of the VIN:
4 = Euro 4 without additive or Particulate filter
5 = Euro 4 WITH additive and particle filter

The front seats are on a par with the V7O, very comfy chairs, plenty of adjustment and suppport. I'm six foot five which means there isn't much legroom in the back when I'm driving, but I rarely carry passengers other than my little girl. There's not much headroom in the back for tall passegers.

I've been really pleased with the car, I was concerned that it would be to small for my needs compared to the V70 now that there is a mini rockape on the go, however, it's been fine.

Spec is good across the range but try and look for a SE or SE Sport with electric seats and winter pack.
Cheers, really helpful. I'll report back and let you know how I get on.