Considering V40 as next car

[Loskie]

Do all dealers supply "Affinity"cars?

[RoyMacDonald]

A main dealer should provide a loan car for a weekend test. Our local one does anyway.

The D2 is perfectly adequate but I've tried the D3 and that was awesome. The D4 would be even better.

I heard the chassis was designed for British roads by a couple of Swedish rally drivers. Feels like that to me. I tried a sharp 90 degree right hand turn at 50mph but couldn't make it skid, hurt my wrists turning the steering wheel so hard though so I won't bother trying that stunt again.

I like lots of torque so always go for the diesels myself. All the cars I've tried have been automatics.

I'd say the Geartronic in the D3 was smoother than the DSG autobox in ours but I'm not complaining about either. You can have flappy paddles if you think you will want to take over from the computer. The clutch is a thing of the past as far as I am concerned.

[anton differing]

Originally Posted by andyc1988

1 - Handling - I currently run a 130i M Sport which is clearly designed for sporty handling and performance. I've somewhat matured beyond this and given the poor state of the roads and the ever reducing speed limits running a quick car is just not cost effective. Having said that, I do enjoy country lanes - and there are plenty where I live - with the standard suspension how well does the V40 handle? Any size engine can reach 60mph but does the V40 deliver remotely sporty handling?

It won't be as relevant to you as it is to my locality, but I know many 1-Series owners (indeed, many BMW owners) who leave their cars in the garage during Swiss winters, simply because the RWD, while more "sporting", can be very tricky in such conditions. I personally would always go for FWD. We live at the top of a very steep hill, and our FWD goes up it in snowy conditions without problems while powerful RWD cars fishtail helplessly.

As an old codger, I like the V40 (CC D3 in our case) suspension. I don't think I can corner on the door handles, but then I don't want to do that - I have long come to the conclusion that I'm not Fernando Alonso, and I want a comfortable, quiet old fogey-like passage, and this the V40 delivers. It whispers along the Autobahn, and it seems to cope just fine with the wiggly-waggly road between the village and the Autobahn.

[regdor]

We have had a S60 2.0T SE petrol/ Auto for the last 9 years and are looking to replace it. The seats are fantastic and the ride is awful over pot holes but it has been a great car all round.
Looking at the v40 (or v40cc) as it is big enough for our needs. The seats feel OK but do not have the luxury of the old s60. I am worried they will not be as comfortable, has anyone done this move and can give advice?

The engine/autobox is also a mine field for me.
we do about 7k per annum so petrol/auto seems the way to go BUT there are few used ones as most are diesel. I hear the problems of DPF etc that result from short runs and understand the D4 is the super new way forward.
I am also surprised at the cost of the v40.
The other option is the v/s60 which are equally pricey it seems but at least have comfier seats and the new 60,s are of similar size to the old s60!
I am not keen on the R-design or big wheels which the dealers seem to keep the most of on the forecourts.
Any help would be greatly appreciated as we need to narrow down a target model!

[RoyMacDonald]

Originally Posted by regdor

We have had a S60 2.0T SE petrol/ Auto for the last 9 years and are looking to replace it. The seats are fantastic and the ride is awful over pot holes but it has been a great car all round.
Looking at the v40 (or v40cc) as it is big enough for our needs. The seats feel OK but do not have the luxury of the old s60. I am worried they will not be as comfortable, has anyone done this move and can give advice?

The engine/autobox is also a mine field for me.
we do about 7k per annum so petrol/auto seems the way to go BUT there are few used ones as most are diesel. I hear the problems of DPF etc that result from short runs and understand the D4 is the super new way forward.
I am also surprised at the cost of the v40.
The other option is the v/s60 which are equally pricey it seems but at least have comfier seats and the new 60,s are of similar size to the old s60!
I am not keen on the R-design or big wheels which the dealers seem to keep the most of on the forecourts.
Any help would be greatly appreciated as we need to narrow down a target model!

I've found the seats to be deceptively comfortable. I have an XC60 and an XC90 as well but I find on a long journey my V40 Cross Country seats the most comfortable. I have the D2 with a Powershift box. That's the one with double clutches. It is very good on fuel consumption, about 65 mpg on a run.

[regdor]

Very interesting that the V40 is so comfortable, perhaps the ergonomics are spot on for you and the seats must support the driver in all the right places which, of course, we only know with several hours behind the wheel.
Is the D2 from the Ford stable? (nothing against Ford just interested).
I drove a few V40's at a Volvo open day about 2 years ago and liked the car but do not think the Powershift was one of them.
Any idea why Volvo came up with the CC, is it just a higher more compliant ride or is it a differentiator to the Focus offering?

[anton differing]

Originally Posted by regdor

Any idea why Volvo came up with the CC, is it just a higher more compliant ride or is it a differentiator to the Focus offering?

I think it's just a bit of pose, with its totally artificial rear skid plate and black lower body panels. Having said that, those lower panels are one of the reasons I bought one - cars with real bumpers are hard to find these days, I didn't like the idea of coloured (and scratchable) body panels and these black ones are the nearest equivalent. Apparently the higher suspension does make for a more comfortable ride and a somewhat better view (important considerations for we old fogeys). And there is simply no way that I'd ever take the thing cross-country!

[RoyMacDonald]

Originally Posted by regdor

Very interesting that the V40 is so comfortable, perhaps the ergonomics are spot on for you and the seats must support the driver in all the right places which, of course, we only know with several hours behind the wheel.
Is the D2 from the Ford stable? (nothing against Ford just interested).
I drove a few V40's at a Volvo open day about 2 years ago and liked the car but do not think the Powershift was one of them.
Any idea why Volvo came up with the CC, is it just a higher more compliant ride or is it a differentiator to the Focus offering?

I find it as comfortable as the original 2002 V70 seats which are legendary in my family.

The D2 is a Volvo upgraded Peugeot/Citroen design. Ford use the standard version. It's on the same chassis as the Focus, but its a Volvo design hence the safety rating of the Focus.

The CC is designed for British standards of road repair. It has longer travel suspension. It's defiantly more comfortable for passengers who sit on the side where the country roads are most broken up and potholed. I've been a passenger in both the standard V40 and the Cross Country. As a driver the difference isn't as noticeable. It's going to cope with unploughed snow better having a bit extra ground clearance though.

[RoyMacDonald]

The rear bumper does work by the way, it helped a lorry write off a Renault and the kids didn't even wake up. Easy fix as well. Comes ready painted. Lorry owner should appear in court soon.

If you want a bit more ground clearance, Heico do a suspension and body kit.

[Marc01]

As far as I am aware there are 3 different suspension settings, touring, dynamic and sports. The CC comes with touring which is raised and more compliant, I have the Dynamic in R-design trim on 17"rims with the new D4 which is superb, if a little on the firm side.

With the miles you do I would look for a petrol but yes they are harder to come by.

The D2 is still a good option at least it has a proven track record as there are a great many on the road, the dpf may not be an issue as long as you give it a good run now and then, only issue is some do not get great mpg if you do many short journeys, with good daily runs at sensible speeds mid to high 60's is easily achievable.