Volvo s40

The Big Fella

Hello I just thought Id just ask you guys for your opinion on the volvo s40. I'm thinking of looking at a 1997 1.9 diesel s40. (it will be my first car)
Is it reliable, ecomical and what miles per gallon are you expected to get from a 1.9diesel. Thanks:)

shamwari

Renault F8Q diesel and Renault gearbox for a start. The engines are pokey and economical (around 50mpg on a spin) but they are noisy. Usually reliable if looked after. The gearboxes can be crunchy as various bits inside them are a bit on the weak side. Make sure you can select all gears cleanly when driving and that there is no crunching or baulking. Bigish job to do clutches and gearboxes and these.

Rest of car is ok too. Only thing I've looked at on these is iffy central locking, caused by control unit behind glove box.

There are a few Volvo Love 'em / Hate 'em folk here, so I'll defer to them hereafter

EPM

Buddy has one with close on 200k. Still pulls like a train but the gearbox is one of the worst I've ever come across. Seriously vague. Never really liked those s40s but the spec is huge on it. Make sure you get an SE with heated leather. I took it Cork to Dublin and back on less than half a tank

shamwari

Should add that the F9Q would be fitted from '98/99 onwards. It's a DI version of the F8Q, more poke and easier on fuel, but still rowdy on the ear

I had a Scenic with that engine, and noise aside it was a bloody good motor.

Glenalla

Have a s40 diesel sport estate, 50mpg and goes like a rocket, previous owner had it remapped/chipped. Very comfortable for long journeys. No problems so far.

For Forks Sake

Glenalla wrote: »

diesel sport estate

Quite the oxymoron going on there

The Big Fella

My s40 is a 1997 1.9tdi. Is 42 miles per gallon the best thish car sould do?
When I first got it I was only getting 35 miles per gallon but I quickley changed my driving habits;) Thanks tbf

Glenalla

35 to the gallon, must be something wrong there, I have only ever based mpg on the on board computer, never actually did a physical check however it regularly returns 50mpg even with my wife driving who has a heavy right foot!. I would have it checked out as that economy is worse than a petrol model. Its the same engine as the Renault Laguna but a smaller car, check the stats for the Laguna. My volvo has been chipped, dont know whether that has anything to do with it.

Mr Benevolent

OBCs tend to be optimistic by about 10%.