used V40

[rallyman]

Guys. Going to check out a 2003 V40 tonight. Where are the regular weaknesses/problems to look for please.
Nick

[bigboz]

Check the buyers guide in the stickies

[kieran40]

Originally Posted by rallyman

Guys. Going to check out a 2003 V40 tonight. Where are the regular weaknesses/problems to look for please.
Nick

Petrol or diesel,they don't usually rot so no worries there, check for general knocking noises and clutch slip things like that,has it been serviced regular.the gdi engine is the one to be careful about,the rest are trouble free.

[rallyman]

many thanks.

[DXMachina]

If your username indicates what you intend to do with it, you want a 2.0T, T4 or the 115Bhp diesel

[flyingtech55]

Sadly, they do rot. Sills, wheel arches and the bottom of the front wings. Mines fairly rotten and I've had to spend a bit on paint. Also check the plastics in the rear boot compartment...very poor quality. Wouldn't buy another Volvo. They're really just a Ford in a party frock. Oh...and the parts are stupidly expensive.

TimR

[kieran40]

Originally Posted by flyingtech55

Sadly, they do rot. Sills, wheel arches and the bottom of the front wings. Mines fairly rotten and I've had to spend a bit on paint. Also check the plastics in the rear boot compartment...very poor quality. Wouldn't buy another Volvo.

TimR

You've obviously been unlucky because I've never seen a rusty s40/v40,compared to my mates brand new insignia the plastics are very good.there is nothing ford about them there Mitsubish,and parts are well priced,my rover was much more expensive on spares.

[flyingtech55]

Originally Posted by kieran40

there is nothing ford about them

I have a 2003 Ph2 V40 and the rear suspension is virtually identical to a Ford Focus!

Parts of the front share commonality with Mitsubishi Charisma but that's about it. Some had the GDi engine and that was sourced from Mitsubishi. The gearboxes come from Renault. The car is basically a 'bitser' built in Holland.

TimR

[kieran40]

Originally Posted by flyingtech55

I have a 2003 Ph2 V40 and the rear suspension is virtually identical to a Ford Focus!

Parts of the front share commonality with Mitsubishi Charisma but that's about it. Some had the GDi engine and that was sourced from Mitsubishi. The gearboxes come from Renault. The car is basically a 'bitser' built in Holland.

TimR

The whole car is Mitsubishi apart from engines and gearboxes,some even have a Volvo gearbox mine has the volvo box and the tried and tested for many years a Renault Diesel engine.

[skyship007]

Originally Posted by flyingtech55

Sadly, they do rot. Sills, wheel arches and the bottom of the front wings. Mines fairly rotten and I've had to spend a bit on paint. Also check the plastics in the rear boot compartment...very poor quality. Wouldn't buy another Volvo. They're really just a Ford in a party frock. Oh...and the parts are stupidly expensive.

TimR

The statistics from the TUV show far fewer failures from rust than any other car built in the same era of a similar size, so it sounds like you bought a lemon parked outside by the sea. You can get some degree of rust around the wings if the owners don't remove the plastic liners to clean behind them.

The liner for the boot is a bit on the thin side, but it's the V50 that is based more on a Ford, not the V40. The Ford focus is a good car, although I thought the diesel Focus was noisy.

Volvo parts are very high quality, but still slightly cheaper than BMW or Merc parts. If you don't buy a lemon, you won't need too many. Volvo are expensive for bigger items like alternators or drive shafts, although most V40 owners use good equivalents.