New S40 Opinions

[tim2100]

Guys. Thinking about replacing our two daily drivers with one car.

I can get a decent lease deal on a Volvo S40 2.0D SE Lux.

What are they like? Is it a wafty lux car? is it ok to drive.

Don't need something for track days, I want a comfy saloon for everyday use. although i want something that can handle ok.

Do they react well to chip tuning? what sort of increase would i get?

[After_Shock]

The new S40's actually handle very well but offer a very smooth ride aswell.

As a steady all rounder that is very economical in the 2.0D guise theirs not much better out their.

Never actually had one re-mapped but their are alot of tuning options so can only imagine the results being good.

[BIIOAB]

I've got the V50 2.0D SE - its a very good car that handles pretty well and the engine has impressive grunt as standard(this from a 5litre V8 TVR owner!)
Gets a wee bit 'skittery' at the front end though (understeer), especially when tyres wear a bit, so would imagine it may struggle for grip with more power in anything but ideal conditions...

[Skodaku]

Recently bought a year-old S60 D5 SE Geartronic. Absolutely brilliant. S40 is just a wee bit smaller version of same so should be good. Instead of faffing about with re-mapping why not look at the D5 version rather than the 2.0d ? Lovely 5-cyl alloy oil burner with lots of waft.

Edited by Skodaku on Wednesday 21st November 21:47

[Skodaku]

BIIOAB said:

I've got the V50 2.0D SE - its a very good car that handles pretty well and the engine has impressive grunt as standard(this from a 5litre V8 TVR owner!)
Gets a wee bit 'skittery' at the front end though (understeer), especially when tyres wear a bit, so would imagine it may struggle for grip with more power in anything but ideal conditions...

I'm told this is a common problem but is marginally worse on Pirelli-shod cars. Continentals seem to improve matters, but not cure it.

[Heathyboy]

I've had Mondeo's, Vectra's, Audi A3, BMW 1-Series and for the last 2 years an S40D SE and it is the best car I have ever had. Get the leather seats as they are v.comfortable.

It's a great mile muncher. I'm not sure it's worth remapping the engine to get more from it as I think you'll end up spinning the front wheels.

If you want a cruiser then get it. I can drive 500 miles and feel fresh at the end of it.

[mondayo]

I used to have a mondeo with the 2.0 diesel, which I believe is the same engine as the one in the volvo.

I had it chipped and I was told it went from 130bhp to 156. Not sure if that was true, as never had it on a rolling road. However, on the road it was quite a bit quicker and pulled really well.

Hope that helps

[After_Shock]

Its a similar engine as in the block but I think different turbo amongst other things, re-mapping the S40 2.0D takes it to 180ish bhp I think. Its definately a quieter engine than in the Mondeo.

[Petrolhead_Rich]

BIIOAB said:

Gets a wee bit 'skittery' at the front end though (understeer), especially when tyres wear a bit, so would imagine it may struggle for grip with more power in anything but ideal conditions...

Drive it more like your TVR, I get overstear from mine!!! LOL!

As for the car, owned mine for 6 months, bought with 49,000 miles on the clock and its just gone over 72,000 - as you can see i live in it and i love it.