Problems to check for on a V40

[pettaw]

My parents have just bought a brand new V40 1.8S Auto, so I'm just querying niggles to look out for on inspection. Mike Clift, I know you had a few 'problems' with your car. Are there any typical things they need to look for when going over the car?

Many thanks for your help.

Andy

Andy

Mine is a 99 V40 T4 SE Auto which I bought at 12 months old (previously registered to Volvo Cars).

I've certainly had a few problems although some (engine mount) "should" have been corrected in later phases.

Problems experienced (all from memory)

1. doubts on authenticity of dealer fitted brake pads
2. steering column replaced at 25k miles
3. steering rack replaced at 25k miles
4. engine mount replaced at 26k miles
5. exhaust manifold refitted at 26.5k miles

Other problems:

Poor performance on braking, pedal seems to hit a stop and has to be released and hit again. Not abs coming on just seeming to have no pressure. Dealer said no fault found. Fault is intermitent.

Dealer returning car with steering wheel off centre.
Dealer trying to charge £14 labour for replacing wiper blades


Nothing else springs to mind at moment. However, 40k service (Car has actually only got 32k on clock) is due in 2 days when have asked for full brake hydraulic change to see what effect that has on brakes plus full coolant flush as will be 3.5 years old.

As a comparison, my first Volvo (340) was 7 years old when I bought it, I kept it for 3 years and it had less bits replaced in its first 10 yrs than the V40 has in the first 3yrs.

I have actually taken a 3rd party warranty out, the 1st time ever because of the aggro the car/dealer has given me. Plus of course, Volvo Customer Care is now non existent although they are pretty good at writing "get stuffed" letters!

I'll report back after the service with anything else that crops up.

Hope that hasn't put you off too much.

Mike

[pettaw]

I know about the 'get stuffed' letters, you get the same from everybody nowadays, and if you phone up then you get some person who is just reading from a computer screen in some call centre who, of course has no power to deal with your problem and won't put you through to someone who has because that would just be too helpful wouldn't it.

Thanks for your replies anyways, and no I haven't been put off, and even if I had it would be too late because they've already bought the thing.

We've had 340's in the family for almost 15 years now and we had all sorts of problems with the 1.7, particularly carb related. All ironed out though as of about 2 years ago when we started to poke our heads underneath the bonnet and do the work ourselves. Funny that!! LOL

Anyway thanks for taking the time out.

Andy