From Uruguay with my V40
 

Hi to all, after a sold my AE101 Corolla beacause it's engine failed and the cost for repair it was more than what I was willing to pay, I begun looking for a new car. After two months of searching and checking many many cars but nothing really convince me, I went to see a Rav4 that really didnt was my cup of tea but it was the one that convince me the most, but on the way back to my house I come across an interesting car, and I leave a note... not hoping for anything, two days later I got a call, and after that this photos

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4189/3...b2ec7a95_c.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4167/3...b4249458_c.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4170/3...2fe2b496_c.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4165/3...29aebf4d_c.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4164/3...96547444_c.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4194/3...5715117a_c.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4171/3...feb27623_c.jpg

After a little back an forth the previous owner the car was mine! a 2001 Volvo V40 2.0 (B4204S2) with 203.000kmts and so this journey starts.

The car is in really really good shape, but there are a few things to fix and a lot of things to improve.

Very nice. and I always wondered what they look like in great weather.

Very nice :thumbs_up: Good colour scheme and the best engine/transmission combo. enjoy.

Nice! Enjoy the ownership journey!

Thanks guys for the kind words! I'm really really happy with the car, It's been working fawlessly and exceeding my expectations

Now checking the pictures in my phone I came across the first picture I took to the estate when I leaved the note asking the PO if it was for sale.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4185/3...59924e85_c.jpg

little I would know back then that the note leaved in the windshield would work

They are GOOD :heart: looking cars aren't they. Just been washing and polishing my V40 and it still looks mighty fine to me.

indeed they are good looking

Well, after the car was mine and I had the keys in my hands
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4192/3...94284889_c.jpg

it was time for it first wash
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4158/3...76e33c50_c.jpg

and it was nasty on some places
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4193/3...2edebc47_c.jpg

a little scrubing on the steering wheel with mild soap to remove the years of human slime in order to get the leather to open it pores and then some hand cream to hydrate it, it made quite a difference on the softness and to the touch
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4189/3...7bf8a7b7_c.jpg

one thing that I couldnt stand was the grease feeling on the controls, it was awful, my fingers got glued to the controls! I started trying with lot of things but the thing that worked the best was engine degreaser and a rag, here is some testing
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4190/3...47eb5684_c.jpg

you can see the degreaser working on the human grease
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4192/3...d665c847_c.jpg

and after a while all was spotless and grease free, and much much nicer to the touch
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4179/3...db271e60_c.jpg

I didnt took any picture of the whole process, but I also glued the leather to the door card piece that was loose
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4181/3...368278e9_c.jpg

another thing that I did but I didnt took any picture of it, I sew the driver side seat bolster that was opened, and also glued it.

while I was waiting for the glue to dry, I removed the center console and proceeded to vacume everything under it
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4175/3...bd8db4bb_c.jpg

and also fix the handbrake cover that was loose and it caught on it self
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4168/3...027e97ca_c.jpg

Those were all the fixes on the inside, I will cover later the ones on the inside hahaha

Welcome to the forum.

Great looking car. Well done on the work done so far. Look forward to further updates and pictures.

Nice looking car and well done on the little things - it what makes a car YOUR car. Good tip with the degreaser, wish i knew last week, i scrubbed a bit to hard.
At last somebody as nerdy as me with the fuel filler:thumbs_up:

I have two V40s and on both the steering wheel was unpleasant. They seem to be very soft and easily worn and damaged. One now has a nice leather cover (the other is off the road.) Good luck with your new car - you seem to have started well. :)