Volvo V40 advice? (Non Retro)

[Stu]

Hi All,

I've been wondering about getting a sensible more modern kind of a daily car for a while as it turns out averaging 22mpg in an E30 is only fun for a short while. Anyway, someone I know and trust has offered me a Volvo V40 estate for what is basically trade in money, are they any good?

It's a '98 2.0 petrol manual, 90k miles, very good condition with full Volvo history, heated leather, A/C, tow bar etc. in silver. Not sure of the exact model yet but I know it's been very well cared for.

Any horror stories regarding these aside from the fact that I assume they are a little dull and slow? I know they are fwd!

Would it make a good daily car and has anyone towed with one? I see on Parkers guide that they can tow a braked trailer of 1400kg so wondered if that'd be enough for my Golf track car on a trailer, car is around 900kg, what would a trailer weigh?

Thanks for any advice, bit of a departure from my usual old German stuff but fancy a change and seems like a cheapish and quite posh modern car by my standards for daily duties!

Something like this... though this may be a slightly newer version?



Cheers
Stu

[RetroMat]

my parents are on their second, they seem pretty dependable, one did 200k with out to much trouble that was a 2.0 petrol. Currently they have a turbo diesel one which seems which is already at 130k no problems yet.

[big end floater aka lb]

ive been getting about 29 mpg from mine all short runs , as for known faults the only whinge i can find on the forums apart from the usual "ive done 198thou and the cambelts has eaten the radiator is this normal "type questions is the worn gear linkage makes it either a curse word to get into first reverse or fall out of fifth but its a cheap easy fix about a tenner plus post for the parts they seem to be very reliable and long lived 250thou is not unusual

[keithyboy]

The main advice I would offer is don't buy one with a Mitsubishi GDi engine as it's wibblepoo. Otherwise, they are pleasant enough to drive if not expecially startling. The interior of SE spec ones which is what yours sounds like is very pleasant.

They are no more dull or slow than any other similar sized saloon car to be honest.

[Stu]

Thanks for the replies, all seems positive - much appreciated

Jan 18, 2009 20:36:26 GMT RetroMat said:

my parents are on their second, they seem pretty dependable, one did 200k with out to much trouble that was a 2.0 petrol. Currently they have a turbo diesel one which seems which is already at 130k no problems yet.

Did the petrol one start to develop issues at that mileage or just swapped for a newer model / fancied a diesel instead? This one is only on 90k so hopefully good for a long while yet.

Jan 18, 2009 21:04:42 GMT big end floater aka lb said:

ive been getting about 29 mpg from mine all short runs , as for known faults the only whinge I can find on the forums apart from the usual "ive done 198thou and the cambelts has eaten the radiator is this normal "type questions is the worn gear linkage makes it either a jolly pain in the backside to get into first reverse or fall out of fifth but its a cheap easy fix about a tenner plus post for the parts they seem to be very reliable and long lived 250thou is not unusual

Thanks - good info. Is yours a 2.0L too? To be honest if I could average about 30mpg or more in my daily short commute that would be fine and it sounds possible. I have to drive my E30 like a granny to eek out 22mpg on the same run at the moment.

Jan 18, 2009 21:37:22 GMT keithyboy said:

The main advice I would offer is don't buy one with a Mitsubishi GDi engine as it's wibblepoo. Otherwise, they are pleasant enough to drive if not expecially startling. The interior of SE spec ones which is what yours sounds like is very pleasant.

They are no more dull or slow than any other similar sized saloon car to be honest.

Thanks - yes, I looked up a few similar cars on ebay (not seen this one for a while you see) and the interiors look pretty nice with leather etc. I presume this makes it an SE model as you say but I'll find out for sure.

In terms of performance it might not be as slow as I thought as it seems to have about 140bhp from looking on Parkers and a respectable 0 - 60mph time of 9.3 secs which is alright if not exactly too exciting! More of a long distance cruiser than a traffic light grand prix vehicle though I expect which is fine by me.

Any more views much appreciated, any ideas on value?

[Stiff]

An old buddy of mine's had a couple of these as company cars. A silver estate (very basic) and a black saloon (higher spec with leather etc). Both were an absolute pleasure to drive and both petrol. Both were very much the 'boring modern' feel but neither could be faulted in any way. They did exactly what was expected of them and were an absolute pleasure to drive compared to my jalopy of the time (I forget what that was now, but that's not important) I'd have one of these tomorrow as a daily without hesitation. Cracking cars.

[Stu]

Thanks Stiff - sounds like these Volvo's make a decent daily driver then

[SteveP]

Don't expect the usual Volvo build quality... especially as it's a 1998 model, my old T4 was a 98 and it wasn't what you'd expect from Volvo trim. Nice enough to drive, lifeless steering and crashy ride on the T4 model though.

It'll do everything it says on the tin, but then so will a Pug 406 estate, a Mondeo estate...

[RetroMat]

Jan 18, 2009 23:20:12 GMT Stu said:

Thanks for the replies, all seems positive - much appreciated

Jan 18, 2009 20:36:26 GMT RetroMat said:

my parents are on their second, they seem pretty dependable, one did 200k with out to much trouble that was a 2.0 petrol. Currently they have a turbo diesel one which seems which is already at 130k no problems yet.

Did the petrol one start to develop issues at that mileage or just swapped for a newer model / fancied a diesel instead? This one is only on 90k so hopefully good for a long while yet.

the only issue was that a bmw drove into it head first It was quite low speed crash but the insurance company wrote it off. If it hadn't been for that my parents would still have it.

[Stu]

Hi All,

Just bumping this thread back up as I bought the Volvo and picked it up on Saturday. Thanks for all the advice, the car seems great, is in fantastic condition and really posh compared to the cars I usually drive!

It is a V40 2.0L CD model with winter pack, climate control, leather and various other options, very comfortable though admittedly it's not going to set the road alight with it's performance! Goes ok though for what it is

Here's a pic:



Only fault I can find with it is a lazy passenger side front electric window which is a bit slow. Hopefully just needs the contacts cleaning up on the motor or something.

Cheers
Stu