Considering V40 as next car

[andyc1988]

Hello,

I've been looking at the V40 for a few months, seeing a few on the road they have real presence in rebel blue and I think the R Design trim looks good. I'm also very keen on the safety aspect. Given the limited 20 minute test drives on offer I'm wondering if I could get some feedback from current owners on certain aspects of the car please?

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?

2 - Petrol - The majority of V40's seem to be diesel, but my annual mileage will be 6,000-10,000 miles so a diesel is just not appropriate. I'm considering the T3 as it shows 40-50mpg and acceleration in the 8.x seconds. Does anyone have the T3 or T4 engine and can they comment on in-gear acceleration, fuel economy, refinement, etc...?

3 - Automatic - I've been tempted to move onto an auto gearbox, the 8 speed ZF box used by BMW is impressive but many reviews have stated the Geartronic box is slow to react and can get confused. Can anyone verify this? I do have a progressive/roadcraft driving style so am not sure if Geartronic suits my driving.

4 - Cost of ownership - I like to keep my cars under warranty, especially where repairs may be expensive. Has anyone extended their Volvo's warranty after the initial period expires, and has the price/service from the extended warranty been acceptable? I also notice the service pricing on Volvo's website - a credit to their transparency - has anyone managed to beat these prices? Presuming I buy 2nd hand and the car doesn't have a plan they seem quite expensive, Mercedes and BMW both offer much cheaper prices/packages.

5 - Extended drives - Does anyone know where I might get a 24/48hr test drive of a V40?

I ask a lot of questions and I'm new to the forum but I thank anyone who has the time to reply, it will be much appreciated.

Many thanks,
Andy

Edit: 6 - Premium sound - Is this worth the upgrade? I like music of varying types and the 4x130W speakers with 8 in total seems like a very significant upgrade, but the specs of the standard sound system don't look too shoddy.

[Marc01]

1. I find the handling sure footed, like many a review has said the steering lacks a little feedback, its not to bad under power through corners. Having driven VW GTI's and GTD's there really is no comparison when it comes to really pushing on and driver involvement the VW's win in this area.
I personally find the drive relaxing, it has the grip and composure to hold its line through the bends when pushed hard, but is less Hot Hatch and more a capable relaxed cruiser.
As for sports pack, I test drove both the standard Dynamic and sports chassis, I felt the Dynamic more than kept the body roll in check and was nicely firm, I felt the sport chassis was fine but really didn't give any noticeable gain in the handling front to the best in the class or over the Dynamic chassis, also the -10mm of lowering is barely noticeable. So in the end as a personal choice went for the Dynamic chassis and used the cash from the sports option elsewhere.
The car is fun, only you had the BMW 130i so it may not be your cup of tea. the Merc A Class perhaps that is one good looking car to.

2. I'm a Weezel man so went for the new D4 so can't help you here.

3. I tried the Auto in the T5 which also had the sports pack, the T5 is a great engine the old gearbox is not! this really let that great engine down, the newer Auto's are from what i gather as good as anything else out there at the moment.

4&5 can't help you here.

6. Never tried the Premium sound, I hear it is very good, I also like the standard system that came with my V40, its more than good enough for "my" ears

[volvorocks]

Originally Posted by andyc1988

Hello,

2 - Petrol - The majority of V40's seem to be diesel, but my annual mileage will be 6,000-10,000 miles so a diesel is just not appropriate. I'm considering the T3 as it shows 40-50mpg and acceleration in the 8.x seconds. Does anyone have the T3 or T4 engine and can they comment on in-gear acceleration, fuel economy, refinement, etc...?

Andy

Hi Andy

I cannot comment on V40 T3 although I can on S60 T3

Fuel consumption was no where near the figures, averaging around 35, so probably in V40 you will get 40 ish as it is lighter.

Performance was 'adequate'. You have to rev it. There was a pull around 4k and it did pull nicely. It was never left 'wanting' although if you are used to a 130i you will be left 'wanting more'. I found it perfectly acceptable, although a 'non descript' engine not worthy of a T badge. Sounded strained. Not particularly sporty at all. Mid range was acceptable again, but nothing to write home about.

I have owned and driven some seriously seriously quick cars also, and tbh as an every day car a T3 will probably meet all needs. Acceptable performance. acceptable(ish) mpg, acceptable refinement, (so long as you are not redlining it!!) and acceptable road tax.


Regards

[Loskie]

"limited 20 min test drive" Try elsewhere.Lloyd Volvo in Carlisle happy to loan a car for a half day or more.

[Rooster]

If i had the choice i would get a V40 D3 or D4 (older 5pot engine) manual,

I think the diesel engines have alot more character than the petrol engines and they feel just as quick

[Marc01]

The mileage and cost of ownership makes buying a diesel not the first choice for Andyc, although it does seem diesels are more desirable in resale...

I thought the older T5 was a great engine let down by the auto box, the new T5 looks good on paper at least.

[Brodick]

I too am considering a new V40 although in se Lux trim
with the new D4 engine 187bhp, No annual road tax, good economy,

include the servicing package and I only need to think about insurance and fuel costs

[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.