I must admit, I'm a bit bored of my T5.

[T5R92011]

Appreciate this isn't a technical topic but just wondered whether anyone else has felt like this about their S40?

I've owned it a year, sorted out the headlights, got the engine to 'stage 0', fitted a thick anti-roll bar on the back, but it just can't seem to really bond with the car.. I don't know what it is.

Just feels a bit soul-less... Almost like it's too reliable and too easy to drive.

When I compare it to the slower S60 that I had previous, that car had so many "design flaws" that contributed to it's character and gave the car some real character, and it also looked VERY distinctive from every angle... but I find my S40 to be just a little bit too bland to look at, even with the R-design kit. I can't find any flaws with it's design in terms of day to day usage... I guess that's a good thing but still...

I feel like the only reason I'm keeping hold of my S40, is because its reliable.

Quite torn here on whether to move on...

[FunkyMelon]

Originally Posted by T5R92011

Appreciate this isn't a technical topic but just wondered whether anyone else has felt like this about their S40?

I've owned it a year, sorted out the headlights, got the engine to 'stage 0', fitted a thick anti-roll bar on the back, but it just can't seem to really bond with the car.. I don't know what it is.

Just feels a bit soul-less... Almost like it's too reliable and too easy to drive.

You can have mine for a bit if you want? Plenty that needs sorting on that

They are a bit bland to look at, the R-Design is nice but the rear IMO, looked better on the pre-facelift with the circular reverse lights.

If you're bored of driving it, remap it, they're pretty flat in standard form but remapped are meant to be much better.

I personally find them boring due to the turbo/engine setup. The high pressure turbos on the S40 T4 and the older T5's were so much more fun, they have a proper surge of power, shove you in your seat - Great grin factor, these T5's don't do that

Personally in your shoes, I'd remap it and see how you feel about it after that.

You could also replace the stupid exhaust Volvo put on it to get a bit more grin from the engine. It's a superb sounding unit ruined by Volvo's system. You can get subtle exhausts that sound great when on the loud pedal but don't drone or sound too different at idle.

What would you replace it with?

[Clan]

Originally Posted by T5R92011

Appreciate this isn't a technical topic but just wondered whether anyone else has felt like this about their S40?

I've owned it a year, sorted out the headlights, got the engine to 'stage 0', fitted a thick anti-roll bar on the back, but it just can't seem to really bond with the car.. I don't know what it is.

Just feels a bit soul-less... Almost like it's too reliable and too easy to drive.

When I compare it to the slower S60 that I had previous, that car had so many "design flaws" that contributed to it's character and gave the car some real character, and it also looked VERY distinctive from every angle... but I find my S40 to be just a little bit too bland to look at, even with the R-design kit. I can't find any flaws with it's design in terms of day to day usage... I guess that's a good thing but still...

I feel like the only reason I'm keeping hold of my S40, is because its reliable.

Quite torn here on whether to move on...

I would get an 850 T5 for as little as £500 raw power like it should be :-)
or get a map tune for the S40 to make it what it should be as in the big volvos , a High Pressure turbo ..

[FunkyMelon]

Originally Posted by Clan

I would get an 850 T5 for as little as £500 raw power like it should be :-)
or get a map tune for the S40 to make it what it should be as in the big volvos , a High Pressure turbo ..

Have toyed with getting one myself. Sadly they're all mostly rust buckets now and the ones that aren't are getting very pricey.

[Markos01]

Interesting post OP.

I have the C30 T5, which looks-wise I prefer – I love the back end of it – but the size of the C30 isn't for everyone.

I think on these the gear change is a bit too 'modern', and the steering lacks some feel compared to better machinery, they're almost too easy to drive in some ways. Quirks and design flaws can sometimes add character as you say...

I think the two suggestions here are the right ones if you'd like to keep it and bond with it more: a remap and an exhaust. Mine's not remapped but I've got a custom exhaust (£500) as I think the sound the car makes is a big thing for me... Also wheels and suspension can transform a car's appearance, could be another thought?

Untitled

Video of the exhaust:
Untitled

[domhart10]

The S40 is meant to be exactly as you just described it, its understated and just to dish out the miles easily. Handling package is soft, even with just a rear anti roll bar that wont really do that much, and im guessing you are still on oem shocks and coils?

Really depends what you are after, I felt exactly the same as you after a year with my S40 ... never thought it was boring but I knew the car had way more to give. It really depends what you want from it and how far you want to go.

Just getting a standard map will make a huge difference to the car, then onto things like coilovers or lowering coils for handling etc the upgrades are endless.

Mine was pretty much the identical to yours but defenitly not any more as after the remap I wet down the turbo upgrade route to a K16 hybrid .... defenitly wont be boring. But even before the current turbo upgrade the coilovers made it a real weapon on the track mated to that extra power and exhaust for that nice T5 sound.

[Markos01]

Originally Posted by domhart10

... and exhaust for that nice T5 sound.

About that T5 sound: I only went for a Volvo because of the T5. It's smooth and powerful and with a better soundtrack than almost all 4 cylinder cars. Cold start-up with the OEM exhaust was really nice, but 30 seconds later it was all a bit too quiet for me...

[FunkyMelon]

Originally Posted by Markos01

Video of the exhaust:
Untitled

Yep, that's the kinda sound they should all have had when coming out the factory

Love your C30, they're definitely marmite cars though, I remember on release they got very mixed reviews in the looks department.

[Markos01]

Originally Posted by FunkyMelon

Yep, that's the kinda sound they should all have had when coming out the factory

Love your C30, they're definitely marmite cars though, I remember on release they got very mixed reviews in the looks department.

Thanks FM

I think I have a thing for slightly quirky looking cars!

[LizardOfBodom]

Originally Posted by T5R92011

.....

Just feels a bit soul-less... Almost like it's too reliable and too easy to drive.

.....

I feel like the only reason I'm keeping hold of my S40, is because its reliable.

Quite torn here on whether to move on...

Wow, I had to actually read your post twice as I thought I missed out on translation, then had to check the date of post (in case it was posted in 2008 when car was 1 year old from new) and then I concluded we must be talking about different cars
jokes aside, I wouldnt call my car unreliable either, althought after 60k miles / 3 years done I cant call in flawless ether. Easy to drive - yes, fun to drive - YES, reliable - mostly yes.
But soul-less ? NEVER. It feels to me like my car has its own personality with its own fuffs/tantrums and good/bad days :} I grown to love it so much (after first 3 months of "yea, I think I will sell it...) and really dread the fact that with years passing by its less and less life left in it and one day it will just not be justified to keep it under life support.
I still smirk when accelerating, when hearing 5pot growl and when I see people looking oddly on hissing and growling Volvo estate. I also love the fact that I am doing my daily comute of 60 miles both ways in comfortable car that doesnt want to shake me to death but can also go like a rocket when needed to, and on other times like just yesterday can easily carry 180cm flatload in the back without even considering "will it fit?"
Plus, being AWD+manual+Sport SE, knowing its one of its kind in my country and one of the very very few in nearby UK makes my PrideOfOwnership go to the roof.
So as for myself - no, I didnt get bored of it and still cherish it every day as much as I have for past years. It hurts to pay so much for road tax and some other surprises that happens but hey, what can I do? Put my back-end in hybrid Auris?
oh and to be clear - I am 100% sure cars like mentioned 595 (that I seriously adore) or any other have-fun-period cars like MX5 or Cayman or any other things will provede 10x more fun and pleasure in driving because are different breed and made with other purpose. But not being able to have 2 cars and needing nice dailydriver to comute with smile on my face, Ill take my T5 any time