George
Distinguished Member
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2008
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I'm looking to buy a new car within a year or so. Does anyone here own a Volvo S40? How is the reliability? I'm strongly considering this , along with a Mini cooper, which of course is a very different car. I really have no interest in BMWs, M-B, or Audi, but am looking for a compact sporty car, European.
I'm English so here's my take. I had a S40 T5 a few years ago. They're a great car, they do share their underpinnings with the Euro Focus as does the Mazda 3, The Euro Focus has class leading handling and a great chassis so don't let that put you off. The interior is one of the nicest I've seen in several years, better than anything the Japanese produce in it's class. The car is assembled in Belgium, Ghent IIRC Engines are a combination of Volvo's own (T5 & D5 developed with Porsche IIRC) Ford petrols and Peugeot/Citreon derived diesels. Transmissions are Getrag and are 6 speed on the T5 and D5 and 2 litre diesels. There is an automatic and a dual clutch shift similar to VW's as well. Comfort is class leading and the seats are amazing and wipe the floor with any other Euro manufacturer but this has always been a strong point with Volvo. If you get the top rated in-car stereo you'll be rewarded with excellent sound. 130W, Dolby Pro Logic direct USB and iPod connection. The car is very well specced. All in all I recommend them highly and I've run the gauntlet of European 'prestege' brands. The current S40 will not be directly replaced as the C30 will have a 5 door option and the V50 will be replaced by an estate based on the new S60. P.s I'm talking about UK specced models here, but I should imagine that US specced models have even more toys.