Volvo V40 Problems

There was a time when being a “bloody” Volvo driver was anything but cool, but the Swedish brand best known for its bland styling and boring safety message is enjoying a new image that pokes fun at its staid past. It all began with a new generation of models that were more pleasing to the eye. Gone were the boxy old shapes that resembled high rise dwellings on wheels, replaced by softer curves that better fitted modern times.Volvos began to blend in instead of standing out for the wrong reasons. Traditional Volvo owners, who appreciated the engineering, build quality, and, yes, even the styling may not have been so enthusiastic about letting the past go, but the company had to attract new buyers and the new models were clearly aimed at doing that.Among the new models was the 1997 40 series, made up of the S40 sedan and its V40 wagon variant.MODEL WATCH While Volvo claimed safety as its own realm in the 1970s when it relentlessly sold its safe and sound message, by the time the 1990s rolled around it had lost its gloss.Safety was no longer the strong selling point it had been, and car buyers were shopping for excitement. In any case Volvo’s rivals were at least equal in safety terms so there was no real competitive advantage either.By the time the new 40 series was launched in 1997 Volvo’s drab boxy shape wasn’t only dated, it so identified the Swedish cars that it was an impediment to sales. It was clearly time to move on.The 40 series effectively replaced the oddly styled 440, which had died in sales terms. Unlike the 440 the new 40 series was pleasantly styled, much in line with contemporary styling trends, with clean lines and softer edges that were in stark contrast to previous models form Gothenburg.While the shape might not have been recognisable as being traditional Volvo there was no mistaking the trademark grille with its diagonal slash and familiar Volvo badge. Even with the new styling direction there was no mistaking the new 40 series as a Volvo.The S40 and V40 were essentially the same, the S denoting the sedan model, the V standing for variant or wagon. The body differences were from the rear doors back, the front was the same.Mechanically both models were the same. Initially there was just the one engine available, and that was a smooth 2.0-litre double overhead camshaft 16-valve all alloy four-cylinder unit which boasted 103 kW of peak power generated at 6100 revs and 183 Nm of torque which arrived at 4500 revs.Not generally renowned as a performance car, the 40 series was something of a surprise packet if you were prepared to rev it hard and high to realise its performance potential.The performance was boosted by the introduction of a 1.9-litre turbocharged engine a few months after the initial launch. With the turbo under the bonnet the T-4 40 series boasted 147 kW of peak power.Early in 1998 Volvo also launched the T sedan and wagon with a 2.0-litre engine and 118 kW of peak power.A five-speed manual gearbox was standard, or for an extra $2000 there was a four-speed auto available, and the drive was through the front wheels.On the road the auto was smooth in its operation but tended to hunt between gears, and soaked up some of the four-cylinder’s power to dull the performance which was more evident with the manual ’box.The ride was a little solid for what was a family sedan, but the handling was safe and secure, although it exhibited the usual front-wheel drive tendency to push wide at the front when pressed.There was no lack of features in the 40 series. Standard equipment included air-conditioning, power windows, central locking, power mirrors, cloth trim, and four-speaker sound.The better equipped SE, priced at a $4000 premium, included leather trim, woodgrain highlights, CD sound, climate control air-con, sports steering wheel, and alloy wheels.When you selected the T-4 you also got 16-inch alloy wheels, traction control, sports suspension and sports seats.IN THE SHOP Generally the 40 series is living up to Volvo’s reputation for reliability, so look for a service record that can be verified. It should either be from a Volvo dealer or acknowledged service specialist.Major services are due every 45,000 km and it’s important to replace the cam belt every 125,000 km. Failure to do so risks severe internal damage if the belt breaks.Look carefully for signs of dodgy crash repairs, mismatching paint on adjacent panels, overspray in door openings, boot or bonnet openings, variable panel gaps, and doors or tail gates that don’t open and close smoothly.IN A CRASH The 40 series was packed with safety features that makes it a worthy buy on the used market.Front airbags for the driver and passenger provided protection in frontal crashes, while Volvo’s side impact protection system afforded protection in side impacts.Add to that front seat belt pretensioners, and built-in baby seats that match toddlers to the adult seat belts, and you have an impressive secondary safety package.Primary safety package includes ABS and dynamic stability assistance to help avoid crashes in the first instance.OWNERS SAY Joe Perillo has owned two V40s, the latest a 2.0T. He says the turbo provides more than adequate performance, the compact size is good for city driving, while open road driving is nicely European and very enjoyable. He sums up by saying the V40 is a lot of fun for such a practical car.Glenys Allender is very satisfied with the 1997 Volvo S40 T4 she has owned for two years. On the positive side she says it has excellent fuel economy, smooth power, superb handling, powerful brakes, its good sized boot, and solid build quality. Negatives include the hard ride, faulty fuel gauge, and poor headlights.LOOK FOR • safe and secure handling• bumpy ride• solid build quality• good safety• attractive stylingTHE BOTTOM LINE Solid compact family sedan with good performance and handling without the traditional boxy styling.RATING 70/100

Volvo claimed safety as its own realm in the '70s when it relentlessly sold its "safe and solid" message, but by the time the '90s rolled around it had lost its gloss.  By the time the new 40 series was launched in 1997 Volvo's drab, boxy shape was dated and was an impediment to sales.Model watchThe 40 series replaced the oddly styled 440, which had died in sales terms. Unlike the 440, the new 40 series was pleasantly styled, in line with contemporary trends. But there was no mistaking the trademark grille with its diagonal slash and familiar Volvo badge.The S40 and V40 were essentially the same, the S denoting the sedan model, the V standing for variant or wagon. The body differences were from the rear doors back.Mechanically both models were the same. Initially there was the one engine available, and that was a smooth 2.0-litre, double overhead camshaft, 16-valve, all-alloy, four-cylinder unit that gave 103kW of peak power generated at 6100 revs and 183Nm of torque, which arrived at 4500 revs.The 40 series was something of a surprise if you were prepared to rev it hard and high to realise its performance potential. That was boosted by the introduction of a 1.9-litre turbocharged engine. The T-4 40 series gave 147kW of peak power with the turbo under the bonnet. Early in 1998 Volvo also launched the T sedan and wagon.A five-speed manual gearbox was standard, or for an extra $2000 there was a four-speed auto with the drive through the front wheels.  On the road the auto was smooth in its operation. Yet it tended to hunt between gears, and soaked up some of the four-cylinder's power to dull the performance, which was more evident with the manual box.Ride was a little solid for what was a family sedan, but the handling was safe and secure. It exhibited the front-wheel-drive tendency to push wide at the front when pressed.  Equipment included airconditioning, power windows, central locking, power mirrors, cloth trim and four-speaker sound.The better equipped SE, priced at a $4000 premium, included leather trim, woodgrain highlights, CD sound, climate-control aircon, sports steering wheel and alloy wheels.  The T-4 had 16-inch alloy wheels, traction control, sports suspension and sports seats.In the shopThe 40 series is living up to Volvo's reputation for reliability, so look for a service record that can be verified. It should be from a Volvo dealer or acknowledged service specialist.Major services are due every 45,000km and it's important to replace the cam belt every 125,000km. Failure to do so risks severe internal damage if the belt breaks.Look for signs of bodgy crash repairs, mismatching paint on adjacent panels, overspray in door, boot or bonnet openings, variable panel gaps and doors or tailgates that don't open and close smoothly.  Front airbags for driver and passenger provided protection in head-ons, with the side impact protection system for side-on crashes.Add to that front seatbelt pre-tensioners, and built-in baby seats that match toddlers to the adult seat belts, and you have an impressive secondary safety package.  The primary safety package includes ABS and dynamic stability assistance.Owner's viewGlenys Allender says her 1997 Volvo S40 T4 has excellent fuel economy, smooth power, superb handling, powerful brakes, a good-sized boot and build quality. Negatives are the ride, faulty fuel gauge and poor headlights.Rating 14/20 Solid compact family sedan with good performance and handling without the traditional but rather boxy-looking styling

June 30 is D-Day. The end of the financial year is the best time to buy a new car because there are always special deals in showrooms. As carmakers and dealers aim to clear their outdated stock, Toyota uses a June push to cement its showroom leadership. Some of the special deals are on cars that have done demonstrator duty, or were built in 2012, or are just not selling as well as expected. So they're not the tastiest fruit in the bowl.But there is great buying across the board as demand for new cars fuels one of the longest growth periods in motoring. The bottom line is that you can save money -- and lots of it. So here's a look at the June sales, with Carsguide's assessment of the best deals on wheels.CITROENThe new importer is pushing hard so the Aircross SUV starts at $31,990 drive-away front-wheel drive or $33,990 with AWD, a saving of $3800. There's $5000 off the C4 Seduction turbo diesel auto hatch at $25,990. Carsguide says: The Aircross isn't great, but the C4 discount is tasty.FORDThe death notice for the Falcon and Territory has not helped buyer confidence but a 2.9 per cent finance push on Fiesta and Focus still looks good. The superseded Kuga SUV from $31,990 drive-away is a $10,000 saving. You can save about $3000 on a 2012 Escape SUV from $27,990 drive-away.The Territory gets a $6500 tickle, the TX seven-seater at $38,490 drive-away (third-row seat usually costs $2500). The impressive Mondeo liftback starts at $29,990. Good buying on Falcons, thanks to the arrival of the VF Commodore, from $33,990 and better if you haggle.HOLDENAs the VF Commodore creates queues, the outgoing Z-Series starts at $34,990 with five years' warranty and roadside assist. That also applies to the SV6 at $35,990 and the Cruze SRi and SRi-V at $23,490 and $26,990. Last year's Barina CD hatches are $15,990 drive-away with a sunroof. The Colorado is $39,990. Hard to see past the excellent Cruze SRi.HONDAClipped prices and free on-roads. The City VTi sedan is $17,990 and the (slightly) more lavish VTi-L automatic version starts at $21,990. The bigger Civic sedan is being cleared from $21,990. Free auto on the Jazz VTi at $19,990. The Civic is worth a look at $2500 off.KIAFree on-roads, discounts and $1000 gift vouchers on many models. A five-door Rio S is about $3K off at $15,990 drive-away with a $500 gift card; the three-door Rio is $14,990 and the five-door Si is $18,990. Runout Cerato TD sedans start at $17,990 for the S, saving about $5000, the Si sedan is $23,990 and hatch at $17,990. All get a $1000 gift card. Cerato SLi and SLS have drive-away pricing but miss the gift card. All Optimas have free on-roads. A 2012-build Optima Platinum is $37,990, saving about $4000 with a $1000 gift card. Most Sportage SUVs include on-roads and a $1000 gift card. Carnival and superseded Rondo pricing is drive-away. The Sportage diesel and Optima are top-notch.MITSUBISHIThe manual Lancer gets an old-school value pack on the Special Action Model for $19,990 drive-away. The Mirage is $12,990 drive-away for the ES manual, with a $500 cash-back that also applies to the auto.Driveaway prices also for the compact ASX at $24,990 for the 2WD manual, the Outlander LS 2WD auto at $29,990, Pajero GLX-R auto at $54,990 or $59,990 for VRX. Both come plus $3000 cash-back, saving about $6000.The Triton ute is now tackling Great Wall from China at $19,990 drive-away for a GL single-cab 2WD with alloy tray, or add luxury for a GLX dual-cab 4WD diesel at $31,990 drive-away with $2000 cash-back, saving about $14,000. The utes look good at those prices.NISSANA 2.9 per cent finance package, with agreed value after three years, makes the Pulsar ST sedan look good at $49 a week or $19,990 drive-away. The X-Trail ST 2WD petrol manual cops a $4000 reduction to $25,990 drive-away, while the Navara RX 4WD dual-cab manual is cheaper than ever with a $9500 cut to $30,990 drive-away. The Pulsar sedan deal is attractive.OPELThere are drive-away deals across the range. The basic Corsa is down by about $2500 to $16,990 drive-away, the Astra is from $22,990 drive-away for the 1.4-litre turbo petrol hatch with three years of free servicing, saving about $5500. The top-line Insignia sedan is from $39,990 drive-away with heated leather seats. The Astra is easily best of this breed.PEUGEOTFree on-roads at Peugeot on most models but not the cool new 208. The 4008 SUV cops a $1500 saving from $29,990 drive-away and there are deals on the outgoing 4007. Nothing to see here.RENAULTA Koleos from $26,990 drive-away looks even better with interest-free finance. The Megane hatch is from $22,990 drive-away with finance pegged at 1.9 per cent. The slow-selling Fluence and Latitude sedans are available with 2.9 per cent finance. The Megane CC convertible goes from $43,990 including on-roads. The sporty Clio RS is from $34,990 drive-away and the hotrod Megane RS has 2.9 per cent finance.Commercial deals start with the short-wheelbase Kangoo petrol manual with dual sliding doors from $20,990 drive-away, moving up to the Trafic short-wheelbase manual for $29,990 and the long-wheelbase manual for $32,990, while the Master large van starts from $46,990 drive-away. There's a five-year/200,000km warranty on all light commercials ordered in June. Hard to argue against a $3000 bonus on the Koleos but stocks are tight.SUBARUDrive-away pricing -- for savings of $3000 to $4000 -- is the bait, with Impreza pricing from $23,990 (excluding the WRX, of course). The Tribeca from $54,990 now includes on-roads but you need to visit a dealer to get the full story. Nothing outstanding.SUZUKIThe front-drive SX4 gets a Navigator pack with voice-controlled 6.6-inch satnav with Bluetooth for $19,990 drive-away for the manual and $21,990 auto. That also applies to the 2WD auto Grand Vitara at $29,990 drive-away, including reversing camera and satnav with Bluetooth. The Alto GL manual also gets satnav for $11,990 drive-away for the manual, with the Swift GL manual at $17,490 drive-away including cruise control and Bluetooth. The Grand Vitara is a polished piece.TOYOTAThere's 2.9 per cent finance on Aurion and Camry with the Camry Altise looking best at $29,990 drive-away. Other drive-away deals include $15,990 for the Yaris YR five-door, $21,490 for the Corolla Ascent automatic, $39,990 for the Kluger KX-R 2WD five-seater, $60,990 for the Prado GXL turbo diesel auto and $39,990 for the HiLux SR 4WD dual-cab ute. The right time for the cabbies' new favourite, the frugal hybrid Camry.VOLKSWAGENDrive-away pricing on passenger cars and zero finance on commercials. The Polo is $16,990 on-road, the Jetta is down to $25,990 and the Passat $36,690. The Polo is Carsguide's 2010 COTY.VOLVOFuel and servicing for three years or 60,000km plus roadside assistance. There are conditions -- with a pre-paid BP card based on 15,000km a year and $1.50 a-litre pricing -- and the latest V40 hatch is excluded. Clever twist on bargaining but a pity it doesn't apply to the V40.Paul Gover's 10 COMMANDMENTSYou must still do your homework. You must still check the fine print. You must still be prepared to haggle and compromise.But do it right, crunching the numbers and running right to the dealer's deadline, and you can drive away in something special at a special price.The starting point is all the deals, from sticker specials to cheap finance and steak knife-style free extras, being offered by most of the 60-plus brands in showrooms today.If something you want is on special, go for it. But check that the car was built in 2013, and is not a geriatric old-timer from 2012, and ensure your target is exactly what you want - not a stripped-out stocker, perhaps missing an automatic gearbox - that will cost thousands to get the way you want it.Once you lock down a target, don't think the advertised special is the end of the deal. You also need to negotiate for a better price on delivery and on-road costs, and avoid the trap of buying over-priced extras such as paint and upholstery protection, window tinting and extra-long warranties.No-one can expect to go into the ring with a showroom professional and expect to win, because buyers only get a new car occasionally and sales staff are dealing every day. But, by concentrating on the real bottom line - the changeover price - and being prepared to compromise, you can come out ahead.The best tips are the simplest. Run as close as you can to June 30 to sign the deal and get the car, because dealers are all aiming for targets that can mean tens of thousands in bonus money from headquarters. Also be prepared to take a car they have in stock, even if it's not your favourite colour, because dealers are aiming to clear everything they have on the lot.And have your finance in place before you arrive, especially if you're taking up a special deal, because that makes things quicker and you'll also be spared any hassle and potential extra costs.Watch out for 2012 cars because the warranty clock has already been running, don't forget that a big discount today will also mean less at changeover time, and remember that a demonstrator car could have had a hard life already. 

Volvo, Subaru, Land Rover, Citroen and GM have issued safety recalls for some vehicles due to defective manufacturing issues.