S40 2.0d 2005-2007 model - is it a wise purchase?

[joeylad]

I have been recently looking at purchasing a relatively cheap (3-4,000 euro mark) car initially to cover in excess of 700km per week for about 8 weeks and then maybe no more than 50km a week thereafter.

I have been drawn to the Volvo S40 as it fits the price range I am looking at for the years im searching (2005-2007). So I am putting it out there to owners within that range of years of a 2.0d S40 - what is the car like? Would you recommend buying one? And most importantly does it give much grief? I am very concerned about the DPF and it seems to be extremely difficult to determine from this forum or most others I have researched in the past days if it actually is installed in this version of the car. 1.6d yes... but the 2.0d seems to turn up conflicting reports of it being installed or not.

I was also advised by an owner to make sure the ECU is in order or it will give no end of grief as one of his friends had reported to him.

Its my first diesel car, I'm wondering would I be better off investing in a 1.8L petrol model but the fuel economy on that appears to be atrocious...

Any advice welcome!

[MacV50]

Originally Posted by joeylad

I have been recently looking at purchasing a relatively cheap (3-4,000 euro mark) car initially to cover in excess of 700km per week for about 8 weeks and then maybe no more than 50km a week thereafter.

I have been drawn to the Volvo S40 as it fits the price range I am looking at for the years im searching (2005-2007). So I am putting it out there to owners within that range of years of a 2.0d S40 - what is the car like? Would you recommend buying one? And most importantly does it give much grief? I am very concerned about the DPF and it seems to be extremely difficult to determine from this forum or most others I have researched in the past days if it actually is installed in this version of the car. 1.6d yes... but the 2.0d seems to turn up conflicting reports of it being installed or not.

I was also advised by an owner to make sure the ECU is in order or it will give no end of grief as one of his friends had reported to him.

Its my first diesel car, I'm wondering would I be better off investing in a 1.8L petrol model but the fuel economy on that appears to be atrocious...

Any advice welcome!

I'd stay with petrol as although you're doing high mileage for a couple of months, 50km a week after that is nothing and diesel will work out more expensive. Plus if you do get one with a DPF, you will almost certainly have problems at that sort of mileage.

Have you looked at hiring a small diesel car for the 2 month period? Might work out better ...

[joeylad]

Yeah thats what I was thinking to get the petrol and suck it up for the first couple of months. I was reading elsewhere it takes upto 20 minutes for a diesel engine to become "optimal" so after my initial period with the car that would probably happen maybe once/twice a week thereafter.

I was going to look at a 2005 S40 1.8 Petrol tonight but apparently the guy selling it said the engine light came on yesterday "but was probably a sensor" theres almost 150k miles on the clock also. Not sure if there's a can of worms there I want to be opening, though he did knock off 600 from his asking price(down to 2800eur)

[gswede]

Short answer, NO.

And stay away from the 1,8 petrol.

[joeylad]

Have you had some bad experiences with them gswede? whats the main problems with the car I should be looking out for? Im going to go and give the 1.8 petrol a test drive anyway, as I said the engine light has come on in recent days so thats a bit of a concern

[gswede]

Numerous problems with car pre 2007/08 facelift. Anything from updated AC drain plug, wich in the older models will eventually flood your car. Nice removing all seats and carpet to dry.
New transmission mount.
Faulty ECM electronic control module etc etc.

The 1,8 petrol is way underpowered and gussles fuel like there is no tomorrow.

On my pre facelift I`ve spent 12000 pounds in repairs the last 2 years. My car is a T5 though. Still ****.

See my experience post in this thread http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showth...t=25597&page=8

[vaynah]

That was one horror story you had there gswede.
Mine S40 2004 2.0D has been reliable though, with only wear and tear parts that needed attention.

[gswede]

I actually still have the car, its the missus daily driver. I haven`t driven it for almost a year, I get depressed just thinking of its history. That said, its still not running 100%. God knows why.

Not saying all the pre 08 models are this much plagued but after my experience I would not recommend anyone to go off bying a high mileage 04-07 V50/S40.

[The Thong]

Originally Posted by gswede

Short answer, NO.

And stay away from the 1,8 petrol.

I concur, I had a 1.8 V50 Sport as a courtesy car. It was good bobbling round the streets but rubbish on a long run especially on hills. I've just purchased a 2ltr D V50 2006 with 74k on it. It's come with a couple off issues that the sellers sorting but so far so good. Judging by the bad press I've seen so far I'm a little concerned but let's see what happens.

TT

[Unreal master tech]

Well done on your purchase!!! The problem with asking people on hear is you will hear two completely differing opinions you will always hear horror stories like gswede which sounds expensive & then you go to the other end of the scale with people owning a car for 6years with no problems. As I work on these cars daily I think you made a sound choice with proper maintenance the 2.0 diesel v50 is no bad car it's a good all rounder I hope you have trouble free motoring & enjoyable ownership!!!