buying advice used S40

Apr 14th, 2006, 22:06

Am a long term but now disillusioned VW owner, seriously considering my first Volvo purchase. Advice please on choosing a 2001/2 S40.

gnhuk · Apr 16th, 2006, 14:57

Usual S40 probs - rear suspension bushes. Depending upon engine fuel consumption can be silly but this is usually a duff thermostat and/or ECU temp sensor. GDI can need decoking if it's been used for short journeys but will be fine if thrashed up and down motorways. Mine came with a FSH but judging by what I've spent to get it right I'm doubtful about some of it. 1.8 (non GDI) is a rattler so don't let this put you off. If I was to buy another I'd get a diesel or the 2.0T or maybe a T4 (200hp and 147mph).

A lot of main dealers are useless so it pays to find a Volvo specialist nearby. Spares are pricey. Otherwise a well built solid car.

Apr 16th, 2006, 19:46

gnhuk..what did u need to spend on it to get it right??

gnhuk · Apr 16th, 2006, 21:44

About 2k in all over and above normal servicing. 3 wheel bearings, 4 rear suspension bushes, a selt belt, 2 thermostats, ECU temp sender, rear disks etc. 1 breakdown - aux. drive belt snapped (caused by clutch on alternator sender seizing...) I did have a years aftermarket "warranty" which didn't cover anything that happened. I never bought one before and I won't buy one again. About half the expense was one trip to Pillings in MK - the parts department is good but service reception was crap - I think the staff have changed in that area (I wonder why?) but I now use a local independant.

To be fair I paid £5799 for it from a car supermarket when main dealers were asking 9 - 9.5k so I saved a considerable amount on a 3 year old car in spite of what cost me since.

Apr 16th, 2006, 21:55

gnhuk

wot volvo model is it, the gdi?

SpeedyReedy · Apr 16th, 2006, 22:32

The Gdi engine by Mitsubishi. Gasoline Direct Injection its 1834cc badged as 1.8i on the back of the car. These appeared in some of the S and V40's from 1998
As opposed to the Volvo engined 1.8 which was 1731cc and then uped to 1783cc.

Apr 16th, 2006, 23:04

is it the best engine available for a 1999 model? for reliability and economy?

SpeedyReedy · Apr 17th, 2006, 08:04

I personally think its the best out of the S and V40's I have driven over the years.(these were only courtesy cars but I do tend to cover 150 miles in them each time)

1.6 I felt was underpowered more so with the V40 than the S40.
1.8 felt a bit lackluster after driving the GDI although that was a phase one before they uped the power.
1.8i Gdi
2.0 didn't feel much different to the Gdi only the fuel economy by comparison was very poor.
I have never tried the turbo versions.

I have 87000 miles on the my S40 its been serviced by dealers all its life and all its had replaced are consumables ie Brakes, and new Battery on Friday as it was begining to show signs of its age 8 years old.

Others will disagree and say they have a number of problems, but we have 2 Gdi's in the family both now 8 years old we have owned them both 4 years and not had a problem apart from a battery failure.

Apr 17th, 2006, 20:13

Thanks for info!

gnhuk · Apr 17th, 2006, 22:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by elhakli

gnhuk

wot volvo model is it, the gdi?

1.8 with Variable Valve Timing - 1783cc B4184S2 - i.e. not the GDI which is (I think) B4184SM.

Apr 14th, 2006, 22:06	#1
quaver Guest Location:	buying advice used S40 Am a long term but now disillusioned VW owner, seriously considering my first Volvo purchase. Advice please on choosing a 2001/2 S40.

Apr 16th, 2006, 14:57	#2
gnhuk Balding............. Last Online: Jun 29th, 2018 10:35 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Linslade	Usual S40 probs - rear suspension bushes. Depending upon engine fuel consumption can be silly but this is usually a duff thermostat and/or ECU temp sensor. GDI can need decoking if it's been used for short journeys but will be fine if thrashed up and down motorways. Mine came with a FSH but judging by what I've spent to get it right I'm doubtful about some of it. 1.8 (non GDI) is a rattler so don't let this put you off. If I was to buy another I'd get a diesel or the 2.0T or maybe a T4 (200hp and 147mph). A lot of main dealers are useless so it pays to find a Volvo specialist nearby. Spares are pricey. Otherwise a well built solid car. __________________ Gavin VOC17969 2000 S40 1.8S -with various options (Now sold @135k miles) 2012 S40D3 R-Design

Apr 16th, 2006, 21:44	#4
gnhuk Balding............. Last Online: Jun 29th, 2018 10:35 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Linslade	About 2k in all over and above normal servicing. 3 wheel bearings, 4 rear suspension bushes, a selt belt, 2 thermostats, ECU temp sender, rear disks etc. 1 breakdown - aux. drive belt snapped (caused by clutch on alternator sender seizing...) I did have a years aftermarket "warranty" which didn't cover anything that happened. I never bought one before and I won't buy one again. About half the expense was one trip to Pillings in MK - the parts department is good but service reception was crap - I think the staff have changed in that area (I wonder why?) but I now use a local independant. To be fair I paid £5799 for it from a car supermarket when main dealers were asking 9 - 9.5k so I saved a considerable amount on a 3 year old car in spite of what cost me since. __________________ Gavin VOC17969 2000 S40 1.8S -with various options (Now sold @135k miles) 2012 S40D3 R-Design

Apr 16th, 2006, 22:32	#6
SpeedyReedy VOC Member Last Online: Feb 18th, 2024 20:23 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cambridgeshire	The Gdi engine by Mitsubishi. Gasoline Direct Injection its 1834cc badged as 1.8i on the back of the car. These appeared in some of the S and V40's from 1998 As opposed to the Volvo engined 1.8 which was 1731cc and then uped to 1783cc. __________________ Speedyreedy V70 D5 2010 2015 - 2023 S40 1.8 2006 2010 - 2015 S40 1.8i 1999 2002 - 2010 340 1.4 1991 1994 - 2002

Apr 17th, 2006, 08:04	#8
SpeedyReedy VOC Member Last Online: Feb 18th, 2024 20:23 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cambridgeshire	I personally think its the best out of the S and V40's I have driven over the years.(these were only courtesy cars but I do tend to cover 150 miles in them each time) 1.6 I felt was underpowered more so with the V40 than the S40. 1.8 felt a bit lackluster after driving the GDI although that was a phase one before they uped the power. 1.8i Gdi 2.0 didn't feel much different to the Gdi only the fuel economy by comparison was very poor. I have never tried the turbo versions. I have 87000 miles on the my S40 its been serviced by dealers all its life and all its had replaced are consumables ie Brakes, and new Battery on Friday as it was begining to show signs of its age 8 years old. Others will disagree and say they have a number of problems, but we have 2 Gdi's in the family both now 8 years old we have owned them both 4 years and not had a problem apart from a battery failure. __________________ Speedyreedy V70 D5 2010 2015 - 2023 S40 1.8 2006 2010 - 2015 S40 1.8i 1999 2002 - 2010 340 1.4 1991 1994 - 2002

Apr 16th, 2006, 19:46	#3
chandrum Guest Location:	gnhuk..what did u need to spend on it to get it right??

Apr 16th, 2006, 21:55	#5
elhakli Guest Location:	gnhuk wot volvo model is it, the gdi?

Apr 16th, 2006, 23:04	#7
elhakli Guest Location:	is it the best engine available for a 1999 model? for reliability and economy?

Apr 17th, 2006, 20:13	#9
quaver Guest Location:	Thanks for info!

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