Potential s40 buyer - advice please

[Elninio1999]

Hi all,

New member looking for som advice. As usual when signing up to a forum, I can see all the problem posts but not being put off!

Looking to pick up an s40 (potentially s60 or s80 if they were the right car) to head to and from work. We have golf for the wife but being a lorry driver I only do a round trip commute once a week.

I'd say I'm attracted to the perceived comfort value of these cars.

I'd only be looking at about 100 miles per week as my commute is 35 miles each way and it's mostly M/A roads.

I'm not concerned by high mileage after reading some posts on here, but assume that is really only true for the diesels.

Being unfamiliar with the Volvo spec levels, I think I'd be looking at the r design for a sportier look.

Basically looking for honest opinions - what would you look for and what would you walk away from?

What's the cambelt intervals?

Most reliable engine?

I know there are posts that partially answer some of my questions but would appreciate a fresh perspective.

Thanks 🙂

[andyv40turbo]

Originally Posted by Elninio1999

Hi all,

New member looking for som advice. As usual when signing up to a forum, I can see all the problem posts but not being put off!

Looking to pick up an s40 (potentially s60 or s80 if they were the right car) to head to and from work. We have golf for the wife but being a lorry driver I only do a round trip commute once a week.

I'd say I'm attracted to the perceived comfort value of these cars.

I'd only be looking at about 100 miles per week as my commute is 35 miles each way and it's mostly M/A roads.

I'm not concerned by high mileage after reading some posts on here, but assume that is really only true for the diesels.

Being unfamiliar with the Volvo spec levels, I think I'd be looking at the r design for a sportier look.

Basically looking for honest opinions - what would you look for and what would you walk away from?

What's the cambelt intervals?

Most reliable engine?

I know there are posts that partially answer some of my questions but would appreciate a fresh perspective.

Thanks 🙂

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showt...peugeot&page=2

Page 2 on here for engines, really useful post from T5R92011

[Welton]

For 100 miles a week I'd save the potential headache's of owning a Dizzler and go for a Petrol.

Depending on budget you are likely to find the older models a bit of a disappointment in the 'comfort' department, the suspension is all Ford stuff and just seems to need constant attention.

Driving dynamics are bit off too, the cars are super sensitive to correct 4-wheel alignment and lack steering feel. They also have a weird side-to-side rocking thing as standard (only fixed by an uprated rear ARB).

To be fair if its only a car for you for work and you really just want comfort I'd look at other cars to be honest.

[Elninio1999]

Originally Posted by Welton

Depending on budget you are likely to find the older models a bit of a disappointment in the 'comfort' department, the suspension is all Ford stuff and just seems to need constant attention.

Tbh, I like the shape and not looking to spend vast amounts for something taking me to and fro...

Always quite fancied one too. All depends on reliability

[iainmd]

Originally Posted by Welton

For 100 miles a week I'd save the potential headache's of owning a Dizzler and go for a Petrol.

To be fair if its only a car for you for work and you really just want comfort I'd look at other cars to be honest.

That's a wee bit harsh I'd say. I found my 2004 S40 T5 to be one of the most comfortable daily drivers I've had. The lower spec V50 we have is also really comfortable. Both knock the socks off my F30 BMW for comfort (although not in terms of driving dynamics). I've driven our S40 and V50 to the Alps and back to Scotland a number of times and got out feeling perfectly decent. I can't say the same for the BMW.

I completely agree with regard to petrol versions for the OPs commute though. 2.0 probably being the pick if you're not terribly performance orientated.

[Elninio1999]

Originally Posted by iainmd

I completely agree with regard to petrol versions for the OPs commute though. 2.0 probably being the pick if you're not terribly performance orientated.

Assuming decent maintenance has been carried out, what sort of mileage are the petrols good for before you venture into unknown and gambling territory? I'd expect the diesel would run far further but that's probably not a factor after purchase for me. More a case of what mileage a should I be avoiding at purchase stage.

[T5R92011]

Originally Posted by iainmd

That's a wee bit harsh I'd say. I found my 2004 S40 T5 to be one of the most comfortable daily drivers I've had. The lower spec V50 we have is also really comfortable. Both knock the socks off my F30 BMW for comfort (although not in terms of driving dynamics). I've driven our S40 and V50 to the Alps and back to Scotland a number of times and got out feeling perfectly decent. I can't say the same for the BMW.

I completely agree with regard to petrol versions for the OPs commute though. 2.0 probably being the pick if you're not terribly performance orientated.

I would say in terms of comfort, in the S40 the seats are comfortable but you dont sink in to them like you would in the older bigger volvos e.g the original S60. The first thing that struck me when I bought my 2004 V70 was how much more comfortable the seats were compared to my 2008 S40 T5.

[Welton]

I agree T5R the S40 seats are not exactly 'comfy'. I think the front seats are too narrow, and the 'leather' makes you slide around especially in the rear.

They're not bad seats like a Vauxhall but maybe only a 7/10 for comfort. I guess each person has their own definition of what's comfortable though.

Iainmd - going by my own T5 the original build sheet states it has 'Dynamic Chassis' and 'Low' ride height from the factory - the ride is FIRM and is choppy at low speed (much better when cruising though where it becomes very train-like and smooth) but door to door use it's not 'comfortable', a few family members commented the same when I first got it in 2009.

My old Peugeot 406 Exec with Leather Seats - now that was comfy.

[Markos01]

Originally Posted by iainmd

That's a wee bit harsh I'd say. I found my 2004 S40 T5 to be one of the most comfortable daily drivers I've had. The lower spec V50 we have is also really comfortable. Both knock the socks off my F30 BMW for comfort (although not in terms of driving dynamics). I've driven our S40 and V50 to the Alps and back to Scotland a number of times and got out feeling perfectly decent. I can't say the same for the BMW.

Got an E91 325i M Sport Tourer... everything is good on it bar the suspension... f*cking hell it's hard... worse over bad surfaces than my lowered (Koni/Eibach) C30 was, worse than my previous E46 M3... it's an absolute joke.

[Sts40]

Bought my S40 recently... previously had Volvos S80, S40 T5 and an S40 1.6 petrol.


Mine is the 1.6 diesel DRIVe. I did a lot of research and in hindsight for the diesel should have got the Volvo 5 cylinder diesel. Not that the 1.6 is bad, just DPF is a wet system and reckoned to last about 75k miles with a 35k mile refill costing about £150. Otherwise it’s ok. Better after the remap.

One thing I didn’t think through was the headlights which were adaptive (turn when you turn). One had a crack letting in water and these are £650 from Volvo, no one else does them... other lights you can get on eBay for less than £100 for a decent one, £130 new from aftermarket resellers... so beware of this....

Otherwise proven to be a lovely, quiet, comfortable and reliable car