What do you HATE most about your s/v 40 ?

[GaryS40]

Originally Posted by salviablue

- - and that the saloon isn't hatch like the 440 was.

I had a 440 and it was the worst volvo I have ever owned.

Crap handling, poor performance and styling based on a brick!

S40 is a far better car, in all aspects and I would rather have one of these, than the "so called" Volvo (Ford Focus) S40's.

[gatos]

For some reason I do like the 1996-2004 S40s and have not had any bad experiencs yet. Other than the top security level secrecy with regards to the OBD software it is a reliable car. After my current car, I am not going for the newer "Fords" either. But then, I have no idea what else to go for. Lets hope my current S40 lasts for a long time.

[pphilpot]

Originally Posted by salviablue

- Wildly inaccurate fuel gauge
- Lack of the low fuel warning light actually lighting when you have little/no fuel
- Running out of fuel despite showing just under quarter of a tank
- the infuriating and quite dangerous internal reflections of the dash onto the windscreen
- the fact the main lights come on as standard and you have to remember to switch them to just the running lights, only to forget when you park up. So its usually a case of forget to switch from full lights to running lights: increase fuel consumption, or, forget to switch the lights off when parking up and possibly not starting in the morning due to a flat/low battery...Actually, scrap that one, I just discovered how to 'set them proper'..
- power steering is too senstive/provide too much power, effectively killing all grip/cornering feedback from the front wheels. Plus you only need to hiccup and the steering wobbles..
- low visibility through the back when reversing
- treetrunk like thick a-pillars
- it only takes a couple hours driving before the cd player overheats. Now this is extremely bad engineering, I could understand if it was an after market stereo, but when its the volvo one, built for the damn thing, you'd think they'd get one that either didn't overheat, or at least route some cold air to it.....
- its not a T5
- oh, and that you can't run the stereo without the keys in the ignition
- and that the saloon isn't hatch like the 440 was.
- electrical gremlins
- bland looks in comparison to the later styled volvos with the nice looking nose
- despite being a tank it has no turret/grenade launchers/big guns etc..

- the infuriating and quite dangerous internal reflections of the dash onto the windscreen

I've just returned to the S/V40 owners club after ditching my '97 V40 and moving to a Peugeot 406. Just bought a S40 an LOVE IT (except that I've just been reminded of that damn dash reflection right in my view)

Oh, and I'm with gatos with "I have no idea what else to go for"

[tt82]

Originally Posted by pphilpot

- the infuriating and quite dangerous internal reflections of the dash onto the windscreen

I've just returned to the S/V40 owners club after ditching my '97 V40 and moving to a Peugeot 406. Just bought a S40 an LOVE IT (except that I've just been reminded of that damn dash reflection right in my view)

Oh, and I'm with gatos with "I have no idea what else to go for"

Starting to have problems with that myself. Was wondering if it was something I had done to cause it but it appears not.

[andy_d]

rear brake pipes, Why oh WHY did volvo use steel lines that rust and corrode inside 10 years *'mines a my2002,, 9 years old according to the dealer* and Both rear pipes are fit for nothing but the bin, and a wedgie to the muppet that decided "that" was a good way to route them,, he/she so should be made to replace them all , in the Rain , outside while we all throw foam balls at him/her....


and ditto with the dash reflections, not fun at all,

i have found cleaning the dash with mild "FLASH" solution has dulled mine but suspect the long term use of "dash shine/cockpit cleaner" type stuff on mine. (not by me)

[960kg]

...having had this 2001 1.8 for a while i hate all of it, it is that black colour and it is only clean for an hour then it needs cleaning again so now it is dirty all the time!....i cannot stand that hemmed in feeling between the console and the seat belts i have a job getting my hands down there to buckle up and also release it...i have taken out that piece of posh cardboard that comes down under the pedals as my foot always hits it when accelerating and one more thing my friend sometimes uses it and then when i drive it he has used the ashtray and it is right under your nose on the console on the phase 1 it is at arms length, you can guess i don`t smoke.....i will easily think of more things later on...VVT!!!!!

[tt82]

Originally Posted by 960kg

...having had this 2001 1.8 for a while i hate all of it, it is that black colour and it is only clean for an hour then it needs cleaning again so now it is dirty all the time!....i cannot stand that hemmed in feeling between the console and the seat belts i have a job getting my hands down there to buckle up and also release it...i have taken out that piece of posh cardboard that comes down under the pedals as my foot always hits it when accelerating and one more thing my friend sometimes uses it and then when i drive it he has used the ashtray and it is right under your nose on the console on the phase 1 it is at arms length, you can guess i don`t smoke.....i will easily think of more things later on...VVT!!!!!

Simple solution to that, your car your rules, he doesnt smoke in it.

[Thanatos]

The thing I hated about my v40 was the tyre size,and cost of wheels why use that size and headlights that a match when out was brighter. soon solved them issues changed 4 stud to 5 stud and put in crystal headlights from a t4 and redesigned the entire units to take the hids but then my only gripe was I had full beam on permanently no flash but that's was my fault for wanting rid of the h4 no light headlights I loved the power and torque mine had had and the fact that if you spent enough time near an evo 3,4,5 you could make it fit the v40 as I did with the rolin gear from an eve 3 now that was totally different

I would go back to one from my c70 just for the drivability

[960kg]

Originally Posted by tt82

Simple solution to that, your car your rules, he doesnt smoke in it.

...Ha! ha! i can`t....he puts more petrol in than he uses.....but nobody smokes in the T4...

[Clan]

Originally Posted by andy_d

rear brake pipes, Why oh WHY did volvo use steel lines that rust and corrode inside 10 years *'mines a my2002,, 9 years old according to the dealer* and Both rear pipes are fit for nothing but the bin, and a wedgie to the muppet that decided "that" was a good way to route them,, he/she so should be made to replace them all , in the Rain , outside while we all throw foam balls at him/her....


and ditto with the dash reflections, not fun at all,

i have found cleaning the dash with mild "FLASH" solution has dulled mine but suspect the long term use of "dash shine/cockpit cleaner" type stuff on mine. (not by me)

The 300 series and 200 series were the last to have copper alloy brake pipes , with brass union nuts the only reason can be ... Cost, which gets more important as the years go by up until the present day ..