S40/V40 engines

[bohma2000]

I’m thinking of replacing my trusty 1997 S40 in the near future. It’s the CD version with a 2.0L B20 petrol engine. I've only had it about two years and it’s been very reliable and sailed through two MOT’s . However, it’s got over 112K on the clock so I was thinking of getting something newer with lower mileage, ideally less than 100K, either an S40 or V40 first registered in the early 00’s. I’d rather not touch the Ford version as the reliability (and quality?) seems to have taken a nosedive once they became involved.

My main concern is about the engines. I’ve owned three Volvos in the past – a 245, a 360 and my current S40. Each of these had a Volvo B20 engine and they were fantastic cars and never gave any trouble. I notice that a lot of the S40’s and V40’s on Autocar have a 1.8L engine which, I believe, is not made by Volvo. I can also recall reading a review somewhere which advised people to avoid S40’s with this 1.8L engine as it was prone to problems.

My instinct is to go for a car with the 2.0L Volvo engine but this limits my choice.

Am I wrong?

[cookie]

GDi is the 1.8 that is a mitsubishi engine, that can have problems

the 1.6 is very underpowered, get a T4 or diesesal

[Baffler]

Originally Posted by cookie

GDi is the 1.8 that is a mitsubishi engine, that can have problems

Volvo also have their own 1.8 petrol engine and can be denoted by the VOLVO letters stamped on the engine cover and the 1.8 badge on the rear. Where the Mitsubishi engine is fitted you'll clearly see GDI stamped on the large engine cover and also a 1.8i badge on the rear.

[flyingtech55]

I've got a 2003 V40 with the Volvo 1.8 engine. It goes very well. It's not the GD1 engine...I checked.

HTH

TimR

[blairs40]

I got the 98 s40 with Volvo 1.8 .....no real probs in two years , engine is still strong at over 200k ...kilometres

[fat tony]

I've got a 52 plate T4 Sport Lux, it's current engine is around 126k, runs spot on, the previous engine had 191k on it when the water pump seized and took the belt with it

As long as they are serviced correctly, a Volvo engine will easily do the moon and back in mileage

[skyship007]

The big thing I like about my 2003 1.9D is that Volvo de-tuned it from 130 hp to 115 hp. You might not think that makes a difference, but it does, as less boost results in a big difference in main block wear rates. They also upgraded the cooling and electrical system, so you never have to worry about overheating when towing uphill in summer or the battery failing from lack of charging when short tripping in the winter with a high electrical load.
Renault make unreliable cars, but some of their engines are real good. The 1.9D is famous amongst auto engineers as being the best main block they built. Some of the older Merc diesels might be a fraction better, but it will last longer than the vast majority of diesels if correctly maintained and has a very low oil consumption.
Things have gone downhill now due to reverse QA (Back speccing) of bearings in particular by most car companies. Any bearing or part that lasts too far past warranty is replaced in new design upgrades by one from the Far East that is cheaper.

One thing that does make it tricky when looking for a good diesel V40 is that the ones that are for sale are often the ones that have something wrong with them, because the P2's in particular are keepers. Often those cars have spent far too much time stuck in traffic, have turbos damaged from too many years of poor quality oil and filters combined with too long an OCI or have sludged out from a headgasket leak caused by overheating.
The fact that we get so few posts about engine oil seal leaks, bottom end rattling or serious oil consumption, indicates just what a good engine it has.