Interesting information, John. Can anybody confirm whether or not this is the same with the Powershift? The S40 manual makes no mention of this. Incidentally, the manual makes no mention of Powershift at all, only Geartronic; as they operate more or less the same from the driver's perspective (except the manual position is a mirror image) i don't suppose Volvo thought it worth updating the manual.

I must admit, i've thought about doing this, but after 30 years of driving manuals i'm just a bit worried that if i let my left foot go anywhere near the pedals i might do so on the open road!

From what I've seen whilst Googling the main tell-tales are loss of power and, if you have a fuel consumption readout, the consumption increases whilst the regen is going on.

Yes, that's a big concern of mine, especially having seen a number of comments about people having issues with the VW / Audi DSG box. I do feel that it's a bit like Russian Roulette!

Off topic a bit, is the 159 in your user name a reference to Alfa? That was one of the cars we had looked at.

Cannot say I notice any power loss as zimbo described, but the instant consumption increase about 30% or so (litre per km goes up, mpg will drop numerically). Not possible to miss. And one time the rear demist came on automatically to increase the load on the engine. Also, if the cycle isn't finished when you stop - or just finished - you get a smell not unlike that of a burning brake coming from the left rear wheel arch, a result of the very hot exhaust system.

Thanks, faffi. I can't say i've noticed any of these symptoms. It's interesting to note that the ECM will turn the rear demister on if it deems necessary - as i said earlier, sometimes i feel like i'm stepping into a spaceship when i get behind the steering wheel! The electronics on modern cars are very clever.

Back to an earlier issue: how many of you just use the footbrake when stationary at lights etc., rather than slipping into neutral and then using the handbrake, and does using the footbrake when the car is stationary disengage the clutch on the Powershift transmission? I'm still new to driving automatics so am still learning.

Zimbo565, if you read this before you view, two things i would look out for in the cabin are marks on the dash under the ignition key and dents/scratches in the floating console. These seem to be common cosmetic problems, and were manifest in all the (low-mileage) courtesy cars i've had, and i'd definitely try to knock the price down a bit for things like this.

Believe me Froggyted, you'd only do it once! It's amazing how little sensation of feel you have in your left foot when you try to brake using it. I take my hat off to left-foot brakers - it's an art that must take some mastering! Seriously though; I found it the only way to drive an automated manual, although I must confess that I never use the handbrake for anything other than parking.

My Honda had a single clutch and had significant shortcomings as a result; but my father's A3 DSG is amazing; it really does seem to give the best of both worlds. As I said before, my only concern would be over expensive repairs once it's past the 60k mark.

Good spot zimbo; yes it is. I was a member of the Alfa Owners Forum with that User Name when I had an Alfa and have kept it because it's one I can remember!

I had the 159 Sportwagon 2.4jtdm Lusso on a '57 Plate. It was a truly beautiful car and really was in the BMW/Audi/Merc class for quality of finish. Ferociously powerful but ultimately quite a heavy car to drive, that became hard work when you weren't 'in the mood'. Lovely car though - made you feel special every time you got in it. Not sure I would recommend one though because I traded mine in 11 months ago and it's still sitting on the Dealer's Forecourt - now at £1k less than I got for it; so depreciation/selling them seems to be a bit of a problem.

Well, for better or worse, we bought the 2.0D Powershift, a 58 plate SE Lux in Orinoco Blue with off black leather trim.

Thanks for the heads up. No marks on the dash on this one but a very slight rub mark on the edge of the floating console about an inch below the ignition key but you really need to look for it. Rest of the floating console looked unmarked but we will need to be careful not to drop anything on it.

She'll be delivered on Friday once the garage have done the 3 year service (slightly early as date of first registration was September 2008.

I liked the look of the 159 but we were after something slightly smaller (shorter) and also there weren't any suitable ones for sale within 200 miles. It's quite rare to see one on the road up here but, having said, that, on the drive back from buying the S40 we passed 3 black 159s and a red Brera going the other way!

I think you're right about the depreciation though going by the prices I've seen for 2008 159s compared to S40s.

Congrats on the new car, zimb :)