I must admit, I'm a bit bored of my T5.
 

Appreciate this isn't a technical topic but just wondered whether anyone else has felt like this about their S40?

I've owned it a year, sorted out the headlights, got the engine to 'stage 0', fitted a thick anti-roll bar on the back, but it just can't seem to really bond with the car.. I don't know what it is.

Just feels a bit soul-less... Almost like it's too reliable and too easy to drive.

When I compare it to the slower S60 that I had previous, that car had so many "design flaws" that contributed to it's character and gave the car some real character, and it also looked VERY distinctive from every angle... but I find my S40 to be just a little bit too bland to look at, even with the R-design kit. I can't find any flaws with it's design in terms of day to day usage... I guess that's a good thing but still...

I feel like the only reason I'm keeping hold of my S40, is because its reliable.

Quite torn here on whether to move on...

You can have mine for a bit if you want? Plenty that needs sorting on that :)

They are a bit bland to look at, the R-Design is nice but the rear IMO, looked better on the pre-facelift with the circular reverse lights.

If you're bored of driving it, remap it, they're pretty flat in standard form but remapped are meant to be much better.

I personally find them boring due to the turbo/engine setup. The high pressure turbos on the S40 T4 and the older T5's were so much more fun, they have a proper surge of power, shove you in your seat - Great grin factor, these T5's don't do that :(

Personally in your shoes, I'd remap it and see how you feel about it after that.

You could also replace the stupid exhaust Volvo put on it to get a bit more grin from the engine. It's a superb sounding unit ruined by Volvo's system. You can get subtle exhausts that sound great when on the loud pedal but don't drone or sound too different at idle.

What would you replace it with?

I would get an 850 T5 for as little as £500 raw power like it should be :-)
or get a map tune for the S40 to make it what it should be as in the big volvos , a High Pressure turbo ..

Have toyed with getting one myself. Sadly they're all mostly rust buckets now and the ones that aren't are getting very pricey.

Interesting post OP.

I have the C30 T5, which looks-wise I prefer – I love the back end of it – but the size of the C30 isn't for everyone.

I think on these the gear change is a bit too 'modern', and the steering lacks some feel compared to better machinery, they're almost too easy to drive in some ways. Quirks and design flaws can sometimes add character as you say...

I think the two suggestions here are the right ones if you'd like to keep it and bond with it more: a remap and an exhaust. Mine's not remapped but I've got a custom exhaust (£500) as I think the sound the car makes is a big thing for me... Also wheels and suspension can transform a car's appearance, could be another thought?

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...5e680ae7_c.jpgUntitled

Video of the exhaust:
https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/...359432cb_z.jpgUntitled

The S40 is meant to be exactly as you just described it, its understated and just to dish out the miles easily. Handling package is soft, even with just a rear anti roll bar that wont really do that much, and im guessing you are still on oem shocks and coils?

Really depends what you are after, I felt exactly the same as you after a year with my S40 ... never thought it was boring but I knew the car had way more to give. It really depends what you want from it and how far you want to go.

Just getting a standard map will make a huge difference to the car, then onto things like coilovers or lowering coils for handling etc the upgrades are endless.

Mine was pretty much the identical to yours but defenitly not any more as after the remap I wet down the turbo upgrade route to a K16 hybrid .... defenitly wont be boring. But even before the current turbo upgrade the coilovers made it a real weapon on the track mated to that extra power and exhaust for that nice T5 sound.

Yep, that's the kinda sound they should all have had when coming out the factory :D

Love your C30, they're definitely marmite cars though, I remember on release they got very mixed reviews in the looks department.

Thanks FM :cool:

I think I have a thing for slightly quirky looking cars! :icon_smile_lachuh:

About that T5 sound: I only went for a Volvo because of the T5. It's smooth and powerful and with a better soundtrack than almost all 4 cylinder cars. Cold start-up with the OEM exhaust was really nice, but 30 seconds later it was all a bit too quiet for me...

haha yes I just had a complete straight through system on the car which is incredily loud, absolutly tonnes of pops and some pretty big bangs. Never heard anything like it before at all, sadly removed it now and fabricated a new one which you can see in my build threat to stay within the sound db levels for UK tracks.

System was custom made by Flux, incredible work.