S40 (New) General : 1.8 Flexifuel, and Cacao Leather, integrated bluetooth

[treidlia]

Hi all

I used to peruse these fora, have owned two V50s (MY06 2.0D and MY07 1.6D). No longer a volvo driver, for now.

Starting new job, have a list of cars to slect from.
I remain a a dieselfan, and volvo fan.
There is 1.8Flexifuel S40 SE on list,
and best diesel on list is entry-level Mondeo 2.0 TDCI 140(lower than UK Edge spec).

I'm tending towards the S40 1.8 Flexi fuel.
I have never owned a petrol car. I usually find them gutless. But I think that if there were a spartan spec new Mondeo, and a nice SE petrol S40 outside of my door, that I'd sit in the S40.

Question 1. Engine
What are your impressions of the 1.8. Is it willing enough, for a guy that was generally happy enough with the 1.6D performance.
Specifically, what's the final gearing like, and would it sound busy on the motorway at 80mph/130kph?
Does anyone have the flexi fuel and if so does it run 'worse' when on E85?
Just to be clear I'm not endorsing the FF concept, I'm merely reacting to my employers list, and trying to get sitting on Volvo seats.

Question 2. Spec
My intention was to go for Passion Red with Calcite Cream Leather and Nordic Light Oak. (Both V50s were Quartz Beige, and I dislike Black leather)
However I like the look of the new Cacao leather.
Does anyone have it? Any pics??? How might it work with the passion red on outside?
While I am at it , of the 17" alloys, Zaruks or Spartacus??

Question 3. Phone
There is on offer with the MY08 S40, a factory-fit bluetooth kit (€355). I am told it is not the old solution of the Motorola kit fitted with button on the dash. It is also not the 'integrated GSM telephone' with a slot for SIM card in glove compartment. It is somewhere in between those, with the buttons on the steering wheel, the 'radio buttons', and the screen on the centre console being fully functional. Seems like a good option to me, but can get very little info, apart from salesman blurb and this...
http://www.volvocars.com/salesandser...tooth_site.htm
My question, anyone have this, and if so is it any good?

Thanks in advance.

[El Dingo]

Hi,

Bluetooth in the UK for MY08 is Motorola (I have one). It works well - pity it's not integrated into the radio display.

I've driven a Saab 1.8T on E85 and the power goes up from 150 PS to 180 PS, and the performance noticably better. But then the 1.8 Volvo Flex Fuel isn't turbocharged.

With respect, when you think petrol is gutless, I think that it's really non-turbo is gutless. Try both a turbo petrol and a non-turbo diesel if you want to know what I mean! So maybe you won't be happy with a non-turbo petrol car.

I've driven a (non-flex fuel) 1.8 V50 and it's OK, but you have to work it hard to get any real performance. However, it is much more refined than, for example, the 2.0D (this is just my opinion before anyone gets upset), especially around town or just 'pootling'.

I agree with you about the seats! I've got calcite leather with aluminium trim.