1998 Volvo V40 - Automagic
Discussion
So I have entered the world of shedding with this £800 dull red Volvo V40.
Its an automatic 2.0 L SE with 147k on the clock.
I had been on the lookout for a shed for a while as we will very soon require 2 cars in this household. At first I was set on a V70, but some research revealed that a V40 would probably do and would likely be much more robust in the process. I trawled ebay and AT for ages. Some looked absolutely ropey, others looked nice enough but descriptions detailed various issues like blowing exhausts and missing radios etc. Then I saw a nice 2002 2.0 T for sale for 800. Leather, electric everything and 170 bhp in a dark metallic blue. Looked perfect, but alas, a bit of hesitation on my side and it'd gone by the time I'd got to the dealership to see it.
WP_20140504_13_03_00_Pro by Alex_Mason, on Flickr
WP_20140504_14_46_10_Pro by Alex_Mason, on Flickr
A week later this one popped up. Auto, 2.0 naturally aspirated and serviced on yearly on the dot at either volvo main dealers or volvo specialists. The ebay ad had listed every single service and backed it up with photos of the service book. Cambelt done not 10,000 miles ago and brand new MOT with no-advisories. Good tyres all round and from the pictures it looked clean as a whistle. The drivers seat is looking a bit shabby, but everything else looks like its never been used or sat in. ever. Normally these cars have permanently embedded dirt in the boot, but this ones carpets look like they've just been fitted!
The shiny engine bay did ring some alarm bells. I guess its been cleaned, but honestly I'd have rather it was just left. Then again, perhaps the last owner was a clean freak.
WP_20140504_14_47_07_Pro by Alex_Mason, on Flickr
Drove it home and its perfectly good. Rides lovely on those 15 inch steel wheels and large side walls, is reasonably refined and has enough poke; its 136 swedish horses somewhat blunted by what I suspect might be a 4 speed auto with OD? I can't tell how many gears it has, does anyone know what it should be?
On the drive home I discovered some nice little things about this car and the original owner had good taste with the spec sheet. I knew it had cruise control and cloth seats, but I found it also has an arm rest! score! its also go headlamp washers and wipers which actually still work! (well the drivers side wiper is stuck, but the hose still squirts nicely!) and for an extra surprise which wasn't mentioned in the ad, two switches for heated seats up front and again, they both work and get really toasty! double score!
So
2.0 liter
Automatic
Steelies with wheel trims
Fog lamps
headlamp washers
Cruise control
heated seats
yet the owner didn't bother to spec alloys or leather. Good man.
everything works (just about), all interior lamps work, all exterior lamps work including all the DRL that volvos have always had. No clonks or knocks from the suspension either. And theres a neat little seatbelt thing in the boot that can be used to secure bags to the side of the boot using 1 of 2 seat belt clips anchored into the boot walls. One at the back behind the seats and one across on the other side of the boot. Useful.
WP_20140504_14_45_40_Pro by Alex_Mason, on Flickr
To top it off there is also this interesting piece of kit:
WP_20140504_12_58_54_Pro by Alex_Mason, on Flickr
In the centre console there is a knob next to what could be a small coin tray. I didn't really know what this knob did. Twiddling it didn't seem to do anything until I noticed the retro digital read out thingy on the right hand side of the instrument binnacle. This dial selects what the LCD display shows. In the middle there is a digital read out for the fuel gauge! The dial position corresponds to which of the outer LCD segments is switched off (i.e it goes light, to show you have selected it) and then the relevant data shows in the display below the fuel gauge:
WP_20140504_12_59_09_Pro by Alex_Mason, on Flickr
I can cycle through instant MPG, average MPG, average speed, range left, distance travelled this trip, engine coolant temp, external temperature. Its a nifty bit of kit and I love it!
There are a few things I need to do or get looked at:
1. I will probably replace the wipers for some flat blade ones as they are definitely better
2. Drivers side headlamp wiper is stuck, might be a case of needing to clean the motor up but a replacement is £20 tops so I may just replace it. For now I will loosen the nut on the end and just manually seat the blade out of the way.
3. The exhaust seems quite loud. A bit boomy and farty sounding... I have had a look and it at least looks like the mid-section has been replaced not too long a go. The back box looks less new but still better than the upper section so maybe that was replaced at some time too. Its got twin pipes exiting the back box which I don't think was stock, I believe these just had a single exit pipe with a more oval shape. The upper section near the engine looks suitably old. I can't tell if there is some noise coming from it, but equally it doesn't seem to be blowing or leaking any either. Certainly listening from the engine bay is fine, its under the car where it gets loud. I'm guessing the replacement exhaust bits are cheapo... I may try source some used, genuine parts or see if some new bits can be added to quiet it down.
4. There is a clicking noise when accelerating and turning (like pulling out of a junction). I think this is happening whether turning left of right, but seems to do it more when turning right. Hopefully this is just a case of worn CV joints. I checked the CV boots and they look tip top. Suggests to me that they've probably been re-greased and re-booted, but now its time for full replacement.
Right:
WP_20140504_12_59_53_Pro by Alex_Mason, on Flickr
Left:
WP_20140504_11_04_24_Pro by Alex_Mason, on Flickr
5. Exhaust smells a bit fruity/sweet, possibly running a little rich. Will keep an eye on the MPG I think.
All in though, I am pretty chuffed. It seems genuinely well looked after... its even got less interior rattles than my decade newer Honda Civic! and the seats are comfier! more importantly, I can break out the tape cassette converter again!
Its an automatic 2.0 L SE with 147k on the clock.
I had been on the lookout for a shed for a while as we will very soon require 2 cars in this household. At first I was set on a V70, but some research revealed that a V40 would probably do and would likely be much more robust in the process. I trawled ebay and AT for ages. Some looked absolutely ropey, others looked nice enough but descriptions detailed various issues like blowing exhausts and missing radios etc. Then I saw a nice 2002 2.0 T for sale for 800. Leather, electric everything and 170 bhp in a dark metallic blue. Looked perfect, but alas, a bit of hesitation on my side and it'd gone by the time I'd got to the dealership to see it.
WP_20140504_13_03_00_Pro by Alex_Mason, on FlickrWP_20140504_14_46_10_Pro by Alex_Mason, on FlickrA week later this one popped up. Auto, 2.0 naturally aspirated and serviced on yearly on the dot at either volvo main dealers or volvo specialists. The ebay ad had listed every single service and backed it up with photos of the service book. Cambelt done not 10,000 miles ago and brand new MOT with no-advisories. Good tyres all round and from the pictures it looked clean as a whistle. The drivers seat is looking a bit shabby, but everything else looks like its never been used or sat in. ever. Normally these cars have permanently embedded dirt in the boot, but this ones carpets look like they've just been fitted!
The shiny engine bay did ring some alarm bells. I guess its been cleaned, but honestly I'd have rather it was just left. Then again, perhaps the last owner was a clean freak.
WP_20140504_14_47_07_Pro by Alex_Mason, on FlickrDrove it home and its perfectly good. Rides lovely on those 15 inch steel wheels and large side walls, is reasonably refined and has enough poke; its 136 swedish horses somewhat blunted by what I suspect might be a 4 speed auto with OD? I can't tell how many gears it has, does anyone know what it should be?
On the drive home I discovered some nice little things about this car and the original owner had good taste with the spec sheet. I knew it had cruise control and cloth seats, but I found it also has an arm rest! score! its also go headlamp washers and wipers which actually still work! (well the drivers side wiper is stuck, but the hose still squirts nicely!) and for an extra surprise which wasn't mentioned in the ad, two switches for heated seats up front and again, they both work and get really toasty! double score!
So
2.0 liter
Automatic
Steelies with wheel trims
Fog lamps
headlamp washers
Cruise control
heated seats
yet the owner didn't bother to spec alloys or leather. Good man.
everything works (just about), all interior lamps work, all exterior lamps work including all the DRL that volvos have always had. No clonks or knocks from the suspension either. And theres a neat little seatbelt thing in the boot that can be used to secure bags to the side of the boot using 1 of 2 seat belt clips anchored into the boot walls. One at the back behind the seats and one across on the other side of the boot. Useful.
WP_20140504_14_45_40_Pro by Alex_Mason, on FlickrTo top it off there is also this interesting piece of kit:
WP_20140504_12_58_54_Pro by Alex_Mason, on FlickrIn the centre console there is a knob next to what could be a small coin tray. I didn't really know what this knob did. Twiddling it didn't seem to do anything until I noticed the retro digital read out thingy on the right hand side of the instrument binnacle. This dial selects what the LCD display shows. In the middle there is a digital read out for the fuel gauge! The dial position corresponds to which of the outer LCD segments is switched off (i.e it goes light, to show you have selected it) and then the relevant data shows in the display below the fuel gauge:
WP_20140504_12_59_09_Pro by Alex_Mason, on FlickrI can cycle through instant MPG, average MPG, average speed, range left, distance travelled this trip, engine coolant temp, external temperature. Its a nifty bit of kit and I love it!
There are a few things I need to do or get looked at:
1. I will probably replace the wipers for some flat blade ones as they are definitely better
2. Drivers side headlamp wiper is stuck, might be a case of needing to clean the motor up but a replacement is £20 tops so I may just replace it. For now I will loosen the nut on the end and just manually seat the blade out of the way.
3. The exhaust seems quite loud. A bit boomy and farty sounding... I have had a look and it at least looks like the mid-section has been replaced not too long a go. The back box looks less new but still better than the upper section so maybe that was replaced at some time too. Its got twin pipes exiting the back box which I don't think was stock, I believe these just had a single exit pipe with a more oval shape. The upper section near the engine looks suitably old. I can't tell if there is some noise coming from it, but equally it doesn't seem to be blowing or leaking any either. Certainly listening from the engine bay is fine, its under the car where it gets loud. I'm guessing the replacement exhaust bits are cheapo... I may try source some used, genuine parts or see if some new bits can be added to quiet it down.
4. There is a clicking noise when accelerating and turning (like pulling out of a junction). I think this is happening whether turning left of right, but seems to do it more when turning right. Hopefully this is just a case of worn CV joints. I checked the CV boots and they look tip top. Suggests to me that they've probably been re-greased and re-booted, but now its time for full replacement.
Right:
WP_20140504_12_59_53_Pro by Alex_Mason, on FlickrLeft:
WP_20140504_11_04_24_Pro by Alex_Mason, on Flickr5. Exhaust smells a bit fruity/sweet, possibly running a little rich. Will keep an eye on the MPG I think.
All in though, I am pretty chuffed. It seems genuinely well looked after... its even got less interior rattles than my decade newer Honda Civic! and the seats are comfier! more importantly, I can break out the tape cassette converter again!
My parents had a 1996 S40 in 2.0 flavour, but in CD trim (heated leathers etc). It was mainly used by my mum, but I had access to it throughout my early twenties.
At this age, the 2.0 lump is a c.135ish bhp Renault lump. I remember it being a fair bit slower in a straight line than my own Clio 16V and then Clio Williams that I had at the time, although much more comfortable.
That said, one of my more memorable drives was pacing a Scooby across some empty Wilstshire roads on Christmas Eve in about 2002. The S40 was just like any Volvo (despite the Mitsubishi heritage of the S/V40) - unflappable.
At this age, the 2.0 lump is a c.135ish bhp Renault lump. I remember it being a fair bit slower in a straight line than my own Clio 16V and then Clio Williams that I had at the time, although much more comfortable.
That said, one of my more memorable drives was pacing a Scooby across some empty Wilstshire roads on Christmas Eve in about 2002. The S40 was just like any Volvo (despite the Mitsubishi heritage of the S/V40) - unflappable.
That looks like a good, clean car.
For the on board computer, if I recall correctly, my 1988 480ES I ran from 95-98 had the same thing.
On the 480ES, however, there was a small pinhole next to the dial that you used to switch between,
- degrees C, km and litres per 100km, and,
- degrees F, miles and mpg
I think the Swedes then assumed that if you were imperial in measurement you weren't permitted to know degrees C instead of F!
For the on board computer, if I recall correctly, my 1988 480ES I ran from 95-98 had the same thing.
On the 480ES, however, there was a small pinhole next to the dial that you used to switch between,
- degrees C, km and litres per 100km, and,
- degrees F, miles and mpg
I think the Swedes then assumed that if you were imperial in measurement you weren't permitted to know degrees C instead of F!
I had a 1.8 Auto in red (much faded to pink).
Loved that thing, sold it with six months MOT because the informal quote from a friendly garage to sort all the chassis rust when the MOT would be due was more than it was worth.
Ran amazingly, just a really nice simple car to drive and so comfy to do a long trip in... Do occasionally catch myself looking at these on AT and thinking about a 1.9D.
Loved that thing, sold it with six months MOT because the informal quote from a friendly garage to sort all the chassis rust when the MOT would be due was more than it was worth.
Ran amazingly, just a really nice simple car to drive and so comfy to do a long trip in... Do occasionally catch myself looking at these on AT and thinking about a 1.9D.
Come back to ask about Fuel consumption.
With a 4 speed auto box and no VVT on this engine (VVT added in 2000 I think) I wasnt expecting it to be amazing on fuel. But at the moment I'll be lucky if I see more than teens!
Seems very hard to keep it at a speed without pressing too hard on the pedal and the slightest whiff of an incline has the MPG gauges heading south.
I think I'll have to get it checked when I get the CV joints done (apparently they can only do the whole drive shaft! But Ill see what that costs up as, if its not much more, might as well!). Perhaps the brakes are sticking slightly or old bearings means theres more rolling resistance. Timing might be out as well, but that would hopefully be a few minutes with a strobe gun to check that.
Other than that, the steering is pure comedy. Get it up to a decent 40-50 on a back road and at about 1/4 turn it goes all light!
With a 4 speed auto box and no VVT on this engine (VVT added in 2000 I think) I wasnt expecting it to be amazing on fuel. But at the moment I'll be lucky if I see more than teens!
Seems very hard to keep it at a speed without pressing too hard on the pedal and the slightest whiff of an incline has the MPG gauges heading south.
I think I'll have to get it checked when I get the CV joints done (apparently they can only do the whole drive shaft! But Ill see what that costs up as, if its not much more, might as well!). Perhaps the brakes are sticking slightly or old bearings means theres more rolling resistance. Timing might be out as well, but that would hopefully be a few minutes with a strobe gun to check that.
Other than that, the steering is pure comedy. Get it up to a decent 40-50 on a back road and at about 1/4 turn it goes all light!
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