Anyone here drive a Volvo S40

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peeryus

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Hello everyone

So I'm looking at getting myself an S40. Probably around a 2008 model. I've always loved the shape. Most of them come with a full house of features. Does anyone own an S40? Just need some advice/ tips on what to check out before buying one.

Thanks
 
I've got a C30 - but tons at http://www.volvocarclubsa.co.za/ have S40s and would be more than willing to assist. Some are doing a nice conversion just over R40,000.00 give them 280kw and 13.5 1/4 miles ....

Awesome car, btw
 
I drove an S40 for 2 weeks, courtesy car while my Defender was in the shop. It was the 2.0L, and I'm assuming base spec.

Compared to an A3, it's c-r-a-p:

The 2.0L engine is pap, and if you press it, the engine gets loud and unrefined. I could not find an ideal seating position and the clutch was way too soft and at the same time had a sharp bite point.

The interior is ok, nothing to write home about. I liked the cabin ergonomics except for the cruise control - you have to switch it on everytime you start the car - WTF!?

Sound system is good, but infotainment graphics look like they were designed by a 5yr old playing on an Atari.

On the plus side, it cruises really well. I could see myself driving CTN -> JHB in that thing and arriving relatively fresh. Cabin is very quiet as well.

During my daily work commute of 50km (20km open road @ 100kmh), I got avg consumption of 8.4L/100km, with expect tank range of 700km +- 20km.

In your shoes, I would look at an Audi diesel - much better value for money.
 
You found an S40 crap after a Defender?!
 
They are quite well constructed and thought out, but resale value is poor.
 
Lounger said:
They are quite well constructed and thought out, but resale value is poor.
Click to expand...

Yeah I like the comfort. Good build quality. That's the reason I'm thinking of getting one. It's good value for money compared to anything in it's class I think. Don't think I'll sell it soon though. Will keep it for a while.

Anyone know how's the service/maintenance costs? And how much does it cost to extend the motorplan?

Thanks
 
Recall a friend saying that the S40 has an odd tire size which made it expensive to replace. Not too sure about this though, but could give a nasty shock at some stage.
 
I had an S40 for about a year in 2004 i think it was, and the car was very nice and a pleasure to drive, but once i realised i bought a car that has the worst (disgusting ) resale value, i cashed it up asap. To give you an idea, my settlement was around R140k and Volvo were only prepared to give me like R110k , and the car was in the best of condition with very low mileage , thank god i got connections in the motor trade to sell the car for me.
 
Dolby said:
You found an S40 crap after a Defender?!
Click to expand...

That should tell you something :D

No, I found the Volvo crap compared to our 2006 Audi A3, and this was a 2010 S40 with barely 30,000 on the clock...

My gf's uncle only drives Volvos, always has. He has 2 S40s - both diesel and he loves them.

As mentioned, resale value is probably one of the worse in the market. Let's not even talk about out-of-plan maintenance or prices of parts - make sure your kidneys are in mint condition, you may need to sell one should something big break ;)
 
Last edited:
peeryus said:
Checking http://www.volvocarclubsa.co.za/. Thanks Dolby. How old is your C30?
Click to expand...

It's a 2008 model - so about 3.5 years old now.

CaTcH21 said:
once i realised i bought a car that has the worst (disgusting ) resale value, i cashed it up asap
Click to expand...

Naks said:
As mentioned, resale value is probably one of the worse in the market
Click to expand...

Lounger said:
but resale value is poor
Click to expand...

Yea - resales is pretty crappy ... however not *quite* what I was expecting.

The first owner bought in March 2008 at R320,000.00 - and I bought from him in November 2009 at R260,000.00. I was offered R190,000.00 now (October 2011) - so 40% in 3.5 years. Trade I'd get R160,000.00

peeryus said:
Anyone know how's the service/maintenance costs? And how much does it cost to extend the motorplan?
Click to expand...

I was supposed to ask myself about extending - but everyone recommends not extending and rather saving up for the service. Apparently it's between R4,000.00-R5,000.00 per service

The car I was looking at is again, a Volvo C30 T5.

My stepbrother went from A4 2.0T ... to BMW X3 ... to a Volvo XC60. He loved it and traded it in on an XC60 R Design - though he lost R60,000.00 over 9 months.

Stepfather preferred driving his S40 and C70 over both his Porsche 911 and Touareg V10.
 
Personally I don't like the C30. It's too small for my liking.

What if one of the more expensive parts break and u don't take out the extended motorplan. Then that'll cost alot. Unless of course major parts aren't covered by the extended motorplan. Has anyone serviced their car at Volvo when not in motorplan? How much does it cost approximately?

Thanks
 
... between R4,000.00-R5,000.00 - told you ;)

And I hear extended motorplans don't cover large items,
 
lol ok sorry about that. Probably have to get it serviced privately then. And the tyre size? Is it "odd"?
 
I've got 19" on mine which are - er - odd ;)

But the standard is 17" and there was an option of 18" - I don't think they are odd or expensive
 
Yeah not too fussy about all of that. Want it more for the comfort features. I think it's a great cruiser. Hows your consumption, with "spirited" driving? :)
 
Traffic is what hits me : between 14-15 litres per 100km ... Open road its under 9l per 100km. I have remapped software - but it shouldn't make a huge difference

Most others get 11 litre on average
 
Dolby said:
Traffic is what hits me : between 14-15 litres per 100km ... Open road its under 9l per 100km. I have remapped software - but it shouldn't make a huge difference

Most others get 11 litre on average
Click to expand...

Software helps with fuel consumption.
I use less than 7l/100km with spirited driving.
140kmph I use 4l/100km.

Without SW I averaged 9l+
*assuming 'spirited' driving means changing at 5000rpm.
 
4Motion said:
Software helps with fuel consumption.
I use less than 7l/100km with spirited driving.
140kmph I use 4l/100km.

Without SW I averaged 9l+
*assuming 'spirited' driving means changing at 5000rpm.
Click to expand...

Yeah lol. I'm assuming u have a diesel?
 
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