S40 - high mileages?

I want to buy an S40, and have been looking at AutoTrader's site.

Should I be bothered about 'high' mileage ones, or does the usual Volvo logic apply - i.e. if a Volvo has done 80,000, it's in the same league as an 'ordinary' car that has done 40 or 50,000?

I'm looking for an automatic, 1.8 or 2.0, around the £3K mark. Any opinions welcomed.

Allen, London.

[Dandle]

My 99 T4 is currently at 83k miles and still drives really nice and tightly and has no major problems. Athough about six months ago my dad bought a 2001 Phase2 1.6 S40 for £3200 with only 30 k on the clock. You dont have to get a high mileage car for the amount your going to spend, there are alot of low mileage cars that pass through ebay which might be worth checking out too.

To get back to the question the S40 is built pretty well and of you get one thats been looked after you wont really go wrong.

[Carlos]

As far as mileage is concerned, S40s are often ex-fleet cars, so I'd look for some mileage verification on one that's showing low miles. Personally I'd go for a newer model rather than one with lower mileage as the later models tend to have better handling. 2.0 models will be a bit quicker than 1.8s with very little difference in fuel economy.

Apart from that, as Dandle said, they're generally a well built, solid, comfortable and reliable car with no major problems.

[Rooster]

My s40 2.0t's knock on the door of 110k and apart from a tempriture sensor and a headlight wiper motor its not give me any trouble and i have no intension of trading it in

[Chris Wickers]

I have had my V40 for just over a year now, with 98,000 on the clock.
It has been owned by my father since new and the only non-service items in its 8 + years has been a temperature sensor, and drive shaft gaiter.
My only complaint is being a 2 litre auto it is thirsty.
From experience at work vehicles which are regularly serviced, although high mileage are often a far better bet than those that have been neglected!

My 1998 T4 has around 95000 miles on it and seems ok apart from driveshafts grumbling and suspension bushes wearing. I also get steering vibration at some speeds but put this down to the driveshafts and the bushes. Although wheel vibration does seem a common problem on these cars.

[Ross9]

http://www.volvoselectedusedcars.com/control.cfm

hi there not sure where you are in london but just a basic search for a classic S40 turns up quite a variety of cars if you use the above link. at least through a dealer you will have a decent warranty etc.

jacq.

[vjck_uk]

my 98 v40 has done 153,000 and runs like a watch and goes like sh** off a shovel