2006 volvos

MogwaiFearSatan

I've heard that volvo cars are to be avoided since ford took over, any truth in the matter.

crosstownk

I've a good few S40s and S60s on fleet. One or two small problems with the S40s, but nothing serious. I wouldn't go so far as to say they should be avoided.

Volvoboy

Yep, re-baged fords, no volvo interests me post 95.



-VB-

drdre

I would avoid VOLVO at all costs.They depricate like mad.
My dad has a volvo s80 t6, every week a bloody dashboard light comes on. now one day it took him nearly 2 hrs to get from cabinteely to tallaght because theres something wrong with the engine management system.
He has had 3 volvos and they all have had problems but for some reason he hasn't coped on after paying 1000's on service bills. He will have to change the car soon and im trying to presuade him to get anything else but a volvo.
Hope this makes it clear.

_Kaiser_

mate of mine has an 06 S40 (think its an S40) and she eventually had to be given a totally new one after repeated issues with the computer system. Plus even though it looks pretty big from the outside, it's not that roomy inside (especially if you're in the back). My 02 Passat is a far better car I think.

drdre

Kaiser2000 wrote:

mate of mine has an 06 S40 (think its an S40) and she eventually had to be given a totally new one after repeated issues with the computer system. Plus even though it looks pretty big from the outside, it's not that roomy inside (especially if you're in the back). My 02 Passat is a far better car I think.

Yes you are seriously right, i would prefer a passat or A4.

69sparkie69

hi..i`ve a volvo s60, 2.4 diesel,with all bits on it...and i cant really fault it..!! apart from the low profile tyres burstin as you go through a pot hole,but by changing to a higher profile,thats cured that.. the only thing that has had to be changed through wear and tear,is the roll bar,and tyres..225x50x17,dont come cheap..but very economical car doing 55miles/gallon,and great comfortable heated seats..very safe too..police in uk using them and v70,mostly for traffic/motorway patrol cars.. do agree they drop in price..especially the s80`s...like a stone..my car cost over €50k in 03..and was lookin to trade it in for a s40,2lt, with all the gadgets,and it was costin nearly €19k to trade..!!! and €20k to trade to a passat..!!! feck that..i`ll stick with this car..look over in the uk or up north..cheap volvo`s there..!!

bazz26

Kaiser2000 wrote:

Plus even though it looks pretty big from the outside, it's not that roomy inside (especially if you're in the back).

That's because the S40 is actually based on the Ford Focus but costs around the same as a Passat.

MogwaiFearSatan

sorry guys, couldn’t resist the sig change.

Thanks for all the info. but.

sharkman

I have a S80 D5 and apart from minor glitches with the computer I've had no problems . Done 30,000 since March @ 38 MPG .

PS ..69sparkie69 ..What tyres did you put on ? As mine are ..225x50x17 at the moment .

colm_mcm

I doubt they're any less reliable since Ford took over, more that they aren't the be all and end all of safety anymore and have no unique selling point.

crosstownk

They're boxy but they're good. Kinda true. Best car I ever had was an S60. I had two of them. A 2.0T and a T5. The T5 was just awesome. So much power and so comfortable to drive. The 2.0T was less powerful (but not lacking) and a real comfortable car too. The 2.0T was automatic and just drank juice. Less than 300 miles per tank!

The current S40 has more in common with a Ford than any previous Volvo, but they are still very 'Volvo'. None of the interior has a Ford look about it (unlike a Jag). It might share the same floorpan as the Focus but its still a Volvo.

G Luxel

The S40 present model looks like a large Focus saloon present model.

galwaytt

I just spent a few hours last night composing a letter to Volvo for a friend who has decided that enough is enough for her and her 06 S40.

In the last 6 months it has spent 31 days off the road with computer problems, and she now wants either a new car, or her money back.

I'd be interested in that story kaiser 20000 if you could, to help her win her case.............PM if you can

drdre

galwaytt wrote:

I just spent a few hours last night composing a letter to Volvo for a friend who has decided that enough is enough for her and her 06 S40.

In the last 6 months it has spent 31 days off the road with computer problems, and she now wants either a new car, or her money back.

I'd be interested in that story kaiser 20000 if you could, to help her win her case.............PM if you can

please tell us how you get on when you get a reply from volvo

crosstownk

galwaytt wrote:

I just spent a few hours last night composing a letter to Volvo for a friend who has decided that enough is enough for her and her 06 S40.

In the last 6 months it has spent 31 days off the road with computer problems, and she now wants either a new car, or her money back.

I'd be interested in that story kaiser 20000 if you could, to help her win her case.............PM if you can

I actually have a similar problem with an S40 - non start problem due to ignition barrell fault - or so I'm told. I know of another incident where someone got the car replaced due to this fault. The fault occurs once every 6 weeks or so. I'm trying to build a case to take to Volvo so if any posters could PM me with details I'd be grateful. I will let any PMer know how to go about sorting this out based on what I find out...................

kvw

I've an XC90 D5 with a few weeks now and can't fault it so far, not the most economical car I've ever had but thankfully no problems to report.

colm_mcm

G Luxel wrote:

The S40 present model looks like a large Focus saloon present model.

There's a very very good reason for this........

Captain Slow IRL

same chassis!?

XC90's bring on an engine management light if the tracking is off!! Lovely jeep to drive, though!

Gimme a black D5/T5 S60 anyday - just right balance of comfort, power, interior and exterior size!

drdre

land9 wrote:

same chassis!?

XC90's bring on an engine management light if the tracking is off!! Lovely jeep to drive, though!

Gimme a black D5/T5 S60 anyday - just right balance of comfort, power, interior and exterior size!

I have to admit i thought the xc90 was a beautiful jeep, i was driving my uncles for nealy 2 months but i wouldnt buy one.I would prefer a range rover or even x5.

EIN

Kaiser2000 wrote:

mate of mine has an 06 S40 (think its an S40) and she eventually had to be given a totally new one after repeated issues with the computer system. Plus even though it looks pretty big from the outside, it's not that roomy inside (especially if you're in the back). My 02 Passat is a far better car I think.

i sold my s40 2.0d SE after only 8mths of ownership from new.......
the 2.0 diesel is fast, but mine cut out lots of times while taking off in first gear, and always at the wrong/dangerous times........ also heard clicks coming from the front of the car as i let the clutch out.,,,

also had intermittent squeaks from the alternator belt, and fuel economy was crap...( garage said car was fine and no problems)

i have heard people also with petrol s40's giving out bout crap fuel economy...
i couldnt sell it privately and had to trade it in to get rid of it.....

maidhc

EIN wrote:

but mine cut out lots of times while taking off in first gear, and always at the wrong/dangerous times........

Pretty much all modern diesels do this. Some are worse than others.

You took a fair hit selling the car after only 8 mths! It was hardly bad enough to justify this!

junkyard

kvw wrote:

I've an XC90 D5 with a few weeks now and can't fault it so far, not the most economical car I've ever had but thankfully no problems to report.

I drove one recently and thought the engine was very noisy and it was a bit unrefined to drive too.

sk8board

That D5 engines is fantastic. Test-drove a new S60 recently with my dather-in-law. He ended up going for an A6 diesel cause he didn't like all the power in the S60! (185bhp).

I really like the S40, and I know there is about a 5 month waiting list. For volvo, its been a sales revelation. They are everywhere. We checked out the S40 when testing the S60, and it was all 2007 prices. That was July.
Sure its built on the new Focus chassis, but thats a brilliant chassis (we just got one, just back from a 100 mile country and motorway drive. Its truely fantastic to drive). We have a FOUT YEAR warranty. Thats hardly a Marque thats not confident with their cars. Incidently there are a number of Volvo-badged parts under the bonnet (perhaps its a volvo engine? dunno. The old focus had yamaha engines)

The S40 interior is so good it only a matter of time before the others copy it, and the list of standard equiptment is 2nd to absolutely none.

I'd have it over a passat any day of the week, which costs a little more by the time you have the same spec.

EIN

maidhc wrote:

Pretty much all modern diesels do this. Some are worse than others.

You took a fair hit selling the car after only 8 mths! It was hardly bad enough to justify this!

they dont, i have toyota diesels now and it hasnt happened once with the toyota!!!!

EIN

sk8board wrote:

That D5 engines is fantastic. Test-drove a new S60 recently with my dather-in-law. He ended up going for an A6 diesel cause he didn't like all the power in the S60! (185bhp).

I really like the S40, and I know there is about a 5 month waiting list. For volvo, its been a sales revelation. They are everywhere. We checked out the S40 when testing the S60, and it was all 2007 prices. That was July.
Sure its built on the new Focus chassis, but thats a brilliant chassis (we just got one, just back from a 100 mile country and motorway drive. Its truely fantastic to drive). We have a FOUT YEAR warranty. Thats hardly a Marque thats not confident with their cars. Incidently there are a number of Volvo-badged parts under the bonnet (perhaps its a volvo engine? dunno. The old focus had yamaha engines)

The S40 interior is so good it only a matter of time before the others copy it, and the list of standard equiptment is 2nd to absolutely none.

I'd have it over a passat any day of the week, which costs a little more by the time you have the same spec.

the warranty is 2yrs with the volvo! only 2. i know of 3 people that sold their diesel s40's after one year.. s40 is a small car and boot opening is small.
the diesel 2.0 s40 is thirsty compared to others... and the depreciate very very very fast compared with other makes and models.

there is not a 5 month waiting list. you could have a new s40 tomorrow!
just look at the issues people had with the s40 on here, mine cut out when taking off in first gear, intermittently, also there was an intermittent squeaking from the belts, not sure which one...

yes the spec is good, but look at the price! you are paying well for the spec!
volvo dealers are not that plentiful in ireland.!

i nearly bought a v70 after the s40 thank god i didnt..

maidhc

EIN wrote:

they dont, i have toyota diesels now and it hasnt happened once with the toyota!!!!

Our D4D stalls pretty easily.

It has also been a brutally troublesome car so you just never know with these things!

colm_mcm

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054884189&highlight=s40+avensis

kinda funny now when you look back on it....


(particularly the bits about great residual values and being well built....)

sk8board

EIN wrote:

mine cut out when taking off in first gear, intermittently, also there was an intermittent squeaking from the belts, not sure which one...

naturally I don't know your car, but that seems a bit picky. Every car cuts out intermittently in first gear. I've drove our car 2 or 3 times since we got it last week, and its cut out twice on me, in first gear, in a carpark though.

By Volvo standards, the new S40 is a very successful car.

The avensis is a very boring car (only sold in moondust silver?). Sure its got incredible reliability, but at a price. (the opposite to an Alfa; great design, but at the cost of reliability)

Volvo's (and Saabs for that matter) fit nicely into the middle somewhere between the toyota and the Alfa.

unkel

colm_mcm wrote:

kinda funny now when you look back on it....

It is

More so imho about how the S40 has always been cleverly marketed in both the old and the current model as a car a size up from what it really is. Nothing new on the Avensis side. It does what it says on the tin

maidhc

sk8board wrote:

The avensis is a very boring car (only sold in moondust silver?). Sure its got incredible reliability, but at a price. (the opposite to an Alfa; great design, but at the cost of reliability)

Ours is silver!

Its not a boring car though. How could you bored with a knocking rear suspension, a gearbox that only works sometimes, a saggy door, and rainwater dropping on your head from a rust hole...

tigerbalm

I have two letters for you: D5

I must admit it might be a little overpriced but I am really enjoying my new D5 :-)

I guess every car review is subjective !

sk8board

unkel wrote:

the S40 has always been cleverly marketed in both the old and the current model as a car a size up from what it really is.

I agree with you here, couldn't really understand that bit of advertising (even if it is based on the estate chassis rather than the focus hatchback).

Its not an A4/3 series/C-class, thats for sure. But I think its fair to say its somewhere in between those 3 and the avensis/Primera/Mazda 6.

bazz26

sk8board wrote:

But I think its fair to say its somewhere in between those 3 and the avensis/Primera/Mazda 6.

Having sat in the new S40 I can tell you that it is alot smaller than any of those 3 cars. Rear leg room is very tight and access to the small boot is a bit restrictive. You can definately tell it is based on a smaller car than it's market position suggests.

If you value toys and a bit of style above anything else then maybe the S40 is on your list. But if practicality, space, low running costs, etc are higher up your list then the S40 is ruled out imo.

sk8board

bazz26 wrote:

But if practicality, space, low running costs, etc are higher up your list then the S40 is ruled out imo.

true, but (in the case of company/rep cars), they only need room for their laptop these days (and empty ciggie boxes), and with the demist of BIK, they are all trading up to more stylish car's.

If your company gives you a car allowance of €600 p.m, why spend it on another 1.9 Passat Base, when you could have a S40 D5, A4 Tdi 140 or a 320, and you would own that car, its not a company car.

EIN

colm_mcm wrote:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054884189&highlight=s40+avensis

kinda funny now when you look back on it....


(particularly the bits about great residual values and being well built....)

yeah its so funny that toyota actually got their act together and started stocking cars that they have in their brochures...

yes the avensis is boring, even the fully spec'd one.... but as another poster says it does what it says on the tin....however the luna d4d is cheaper than the s40 2.0 D only main difference is no leather seats in the avensis, and avensis a lot bigger... and much better fuel economy.............

i dont think that you can actually comment on a particular car until u have actually owned one, and experienced it first hand... as the s40 was a relatively new model when i bought it residual values hadnt settled and there werent that many being sold secondhand...

however, after only a few mths of ownership of the avensis i have grown bored of it ....... i am in search of an auto diesel but , not that many models available without spending 40-50 k....... ( dont even mention the hyundai sonata)

i find the gearbox in the avensis a bit clunky, and the gear shift lever, resembles that of a tractor ( very long)......

automatic is the way to go, but which auto diesel to go for ,,,,,,

Panda Moanium

I've had a 2.0D V50 for a year now and am absolutely delighted with it.

Its been ultra reliable, apart from its first service (€210) it hasn't been near a garage since I bought it. In fact this is the first new car I've ever owned that didn't need to be returned for some minor adjustment so very happy on the reliability front.

I've consistently got 6.4 L/100Km (= 44 mpg) from it since I bought it, and I wouldn't spare it on occasions. Not class leading, but certainly not bad for a 2 litre engine. And performance, of the real usable kind (i.e. when you need a bit of grunt for overtaking) is superb.

The interior to my mind is second to none. I've driven an awful lot of different cars in the last year, and in my opinion nothing on the market within that price range compares with regards to the quality of materials and finish.

Sure, rear leg room isn't the best, but for me that's not an issue. It will still happily seat five in comfort. But I would agree that if rear passenger space is a priority, a bigger car might be a better option.

My sister got an S40 1.6 petrol around the same time and she is equally happy with it. Again not a single problem to report.

Finally, the old chestnut about it being a rebadged Ford Focus.... It shares the same floor plan / chassis as the Focus, a chassis incidentally that is acknowledged to be the best on the market today. But that's it, everything else is different to the Ford. Believe me, having both in the family, they are very different cars. The Volvo has about as much in common with the Focus as it does with a Golf, a BMW or any other car on the market.

Not disputing other people's opinions, but just wanted to give my side of the story. Would I buy one again? Absolutely!

RobAMerc

I have to say I am saddened by this thread.

I hoped it was about the fact that Volvo had lost their identity of brick sh*thouse quirkey cars with prehistoric technology, but utterly practical and safe which drive not unlike their f50 truck brothers to be finally dragged into the 21st century by Ford and becoming dull for it, and people debating if the new v40's excellent dynamics outweigh the fact its not as big as before etc.

But nope, it is back to....

I know a lad who knows a lad who said his mates one broke down...Volvo = crap
buy a toyota

colm_mcm

As far as I can see the owner of the S40 is telling of his own experience of both the S40 and Avensis, a lot more direct than "I know a lad who knows a lad who said his mates one broke down"

littlejukka

my boss drives a 05 volvo. i drive a 95 toyota. i feel safer in my car, it's built better, and perfoms a hell of a lot better.