S40: 2008 in Belgium

[mypremierS40]

Hi Guys,

I am planning to buy an s40 1.6 D (2008) model in Belgium (82k km). I am not sure how is the availability of spares in-case of issues for the s40 model since the production of s40 was stopped a couple of years back. Your suggestions and advice will be of great help !!

Thanks !

[DXMachina]

Originally Posted by mypremierS40

Hi Guys,

I am planning to buy an s40 1.6 D (2008) model.

S40s made after 2004 are just Fords with a different badge. If you want to buy a Ford Focus, buy one, its cheaper and just as good.

If you want a quality car, buy a pre-Ford Volvo
Also, you're on the wrong sub-forum ;-)

[mypremierS40]

Sorry Guys !! Yes indeed, im in the wrong sub forum !! Will check the right place to raise my question !! Thanks !

[baldmosher]

Originally Posted by DXMachina

S40s made after 2004 are just Fords with a different badge. If you want to buy a Ford Focus, buy one, its cheaper and just as good.

If you want a quality car, buy a pre-Ford Volvo

I had a good discussion with my local VMD salesman last week... after realising he wasn't going to sell me a £10K used car, he was too polite to just hang up, but he got quite defensive about my description of the S40 and C30 being "basically a Focus with a different interior and better quality parts" so I surmised that he must have taken offence at the "better quality parts" comment as it was the only subjective comment I made.

No doubt, the 04- S40 is a much nicer looking saloon than the Focus saloon.

[bigboz]

Originally Posted by DXMachina

S40s made after 2004 are just Fords with a different badge. If you want to buy a Ford Focus, buy one, its cheaper and just as good.

If you want a quality car, buy a pre-Ford Volvo
Also, you're on the wrong sub-forum ;-)

Partially disagree with your DX, the Volvo is a much nicer place so sit. I had the good fortune to have a work rented Focus CC diesel for a week with a few days gap and then a rental C70 for 3 days (same engine and chassis, but Volvo interior and body), the Volvo was an infinitely nice place to sit, drive, be in, all round a significantly better car. I have also sat in various Focus and S40's of the same Vintage and the same is true of these models.

Given the choice i wouldn't buy the Ford over the Volvo on a like for like basis, and i am quite partial to a fast ford!

[baldmosher]

Wow, I didn't know the C70 was based on the Focus!

One really stupid thing that Ford did was make absolute nonsense of the model numbering system.

Can get early S40s for under £3k now so they're not noticeably more expensive than the Focus anyway.

Anyway... buy an Audi A4 Mk2, they're even better.... directly competing with BMW and Merc for the first time so build quality was exceptional. It had slipped back by the time Mk3 came along

[bigboz]

That's the new c70 with the metal folding roof.

Agreed on the b5 and b6 a4s. I had one it was bar gar and away the beat built and most competent car I have ever owned.....but they are not cheap to fix....drop links in 9 pieces was an interesting one and I'm still confused as to why vag in their infinite wisdom made them so complex!

[DXMachina]

I like Focuses, a lot - they're good to drive and solidly built. Don't get me wrong on that. They still dont stand up against a Mitsubishi-Volvo x40 though

[bigboz]

Originally Posted by DXMachina

I like Focuses, a lot - they're good to drive and solidly built. Don't get me wrong on that. They still dont stand up against a Mitsubishi-Volvo x40 though

Had a MK1 ST170 with blufine 200BHP chip, Custom Cold Air intake, Stainless De cat exhaust and coil overs...good to drive is an understatement. I drove it back to back at mallory on a track day against a mates Elise 111, If anything i would have said the steering was better than the Lotus and it was soooooo quick point to point with all the mods on, the only thing that compares in my eyes is my sisters Clio 172 cup, she has the Moreago 200BHP full upgrade with the suspension upgrades too, both probably the best cars i have ever driven on track and i used to run a Boxster S.

I would have another Mk1 ST170 in a heartbeat if it wasn't for the rot, the later focuses never really did it for me too heavy, and Ford lost the looks of the Mk1 when the Mk2 came out.