Just bought an S40 - reassurance welcomed!

[Welton]

I am the same height as you and I've never been able to get comfy in the seat. I think I've got it right and then there'll be loads more adjusting for days afterwards.....

The suspension really needs adjusting on a Hunters machine, I used to get front wheel tracking done but it was only when I had a 4 wheel Hunters alignment that the car really sat straight and true, they cruise along lovely when the alignment is correct. There's camber adjustment on the rears which needs to be correct. These cars seem very sensitive to these things.

I guess you've just had the front wishbones changed? this is quite a common failure, the main bushings are oil-filled and the originals only last about 5 years or 50K miles.

I changed my gearbox oil when the car was 5 years old and the gear change did improve a tad. For what it costs though I'd rather have fresh g/box oil any day in fact I'm changing it again soon.

I also bought Volvo Wipers from FRF and they last very well, they even have a nice VOLVO emblem on them.

[Barnsey]

Indeed! The car is on 57K, had front wishbone arms, rear suspension tie bar link arms and O/S inner and outer track rods replaced, all genuine parts for £371 + 4 hrs labour (+VAT). Have just noticed that the remaining tyre tread on the rears are very different from each other so they obviously weren't changed as a pair despite being the exact same make. Perhaps this difference is contributing to the left pull becoming gradually more noticeable as you get faster?

Will definitely get some wipers from FRF after the recommendations

[sfstu]

Originally Posted by Clan

The wheel rims buckle when pot holes are hit with low tyre pressures , very expensive to rectify ..
Use ECO tyre pressures ( 38 psi) to protect them and stop the tyres collapsing and the rim hitting the edge of the pot hole ... You get a bonus of more direct steering and handling , longer tyre life and better fuel consumption .

I was wondering about tyre pressures myself yesterday. Couldn't work out which one i needed from the info sticker by drivers door. I picked the middle ground with 32psi but should I go with the 38psi above?
Car is a 58 V50 2.0d R design with the 18" alloys by the way.
Thanks, rgds Stu

[Clan]

Originally Posted by sfstu

I was wondering about tyre pressures myself yesterday. Couldn't work out which one i needed from the info sticker by drivers door. I picked the middle ground with 32psi but should I go with the 38psi above?
Car is a 58 V50 2.0d R design with the 18" alloys by the way.
Thanks, rgds Stu

Yes with 45 profile tyres , ECO pressures they are yesterdays racing tyres and not much room between the rim and the road with these , If you decide to do a few laps of a racing circuit with those tyres 45 psi is more like what is needed .

[sfstu]

Thanks Clan, 38psi it shall be...
On the subject of tyres, do you know if 225/45/18's would fit in place of the 215's?
Just curious, selling the wife's car in next couple of weeks and have 2 brand new pirellis on there whilst mine are wearing "joyride"
Oh the shame of it...
Stu

[Clan]

Originally Posted by sfstu

Thanks Clan, 38psi it shall be...
On the subject of tyres, do you know if 225/45/18's would fit in place of the 215's?
Just curious, selling the wife's car in next couple of weeks and have 2 brand new pirellis on there whilst mine are wearing "joyride"
Oh the shame of it...
Stu

no the 225 will be bigger diameter which will raise the gearing if used on the front affecting speed readings also the unequal rotational speed of the wheels will give you ABS problems .

[sfstu]

Can't argue with that...

[Barnsey]

Final issue discovered more recently with all the sunny weather we've had, there are numerous relatively light windscreen wiper scratches along with many more noticeable long scratches in the side windows, have tried using a drill with buffer attachment and cerium oxide to little avail (partly through fear of warping the glass) so thinking if it's best to replace at least the driver side window and learn to live with the ones on the windscreen.

Are these cars particularly prone to glass scratching easily or was the previous owner just driving through dense vegetation every day?

[Welton]

My windscreen has numerous wiper scratches too, I saw a Video on you-toob where a guy 'polished' the glass by hand using very fine wire wool, looked like it did a good job. I might check it out on more detail and try it.

Do not try this without research as I don't want you to scratch the glass or something.

[sfstu]

Originally Posted by Barnsey

Final issue discovered more recently with all the sunny weather we've had, there are numerous relatively light windscreen wiper scratches along with many more noticeable long scratches in the side windows, have tried using a drill with buffer attachment and cerium oxide to little avail (partly through fear of warping the glass) so thinking if it's best to replace at least the driver side window and learn to live with the ones on the windscreen.

Are these cars particularly prone to glass scratching easily or was the previous owner just driving through dense vegetation every day?

Originally Posted by Welton

My windscreen has numerous wiper scratches too, I saw a Video on you-toob where a guy 'polished' the glass by hand using very fine wire wool, looked like it did a good job. I might check it out on more detail and try it.

Do not try this without research as I don't want you to scratch the glass or something.

Guys, do a google search for "windscreen polishing detailing world". There's a wealth of info on there and seen quite a few posts on this subject.
Barnsey, if it really bothers you could you not get a replacement windscreen via you car insurance, obviously having to pay a excess but still relatively cheap at around £75 excess...?
It would need to be cracked for a replacement though...