The Volvo S40 / V40 tempts not only with its attractive figure and Scandinavian style, but above all with its price. The cheapest copies on the go cost about 100-120 thousand rubles, and the most expensive 250-300 thousand rubles. However, do not think that this is a true Swedish car. Only the logo is unique here. As for the rest, it is a "team hodgepodge".

Teamwork

The platform and suspension are the result of an effective partnership with Mitsubishi. The Japanese also shared one gasoline engine - 1.8 GDI with direct injection. Diesel engines came from Renault.

To optimize production costs, the assembly was organized in line with Mitsubishi Carisma at the Dutch NedCar plant. It was built from scratch with a Japanese partner specifically for this purpose. In accordance with the concept, the cars were not competitors. The S40 aimed at the premium segment, while Karisma aimed at the more popular segment.

Body and interior

The silhouette of the 40th Volvo is hard to deny the elegance and personality of style. The interior also evokes positive feelings. Good ergonomics, pleasant materials. The only pity is that the build quality left much to be desired.

In the oldest examples, paint is erased from the front panel. Of course, you can find the S40 of the first years of production with the interior in good condition. But this is not the merit of Volvo, but the special attention of the former owner.

Fortunately, the quality has improved over the years. The body was updated, the interior was refined and the suspension modified. As a result, a fairly large number of various improvements turned out. Since April 1997, noise insulation has improved, and in 1998, side airbags appeared.

Anyone interested in buying should remember that the first facelift was carried out in 1999 (the headlights and the center console were changed), and the second in 2002. It was then that the car received characteristic headlights with dark inserts, and the location of the indicators on the instrument panel changed. In addition, the bumpers and radiator grill have been updated.

In the first models, door hinges often suffered.

Chassis

The Volvo S40 cannot boast of good handling. Until 1999, the suspension was stiff, noisy, and short-lived. The shape, design and attachment points of suspension elements have changed over the years. Therefore, be careful when ordering parts online. So, in 2000, the wheel track increased by 16 mm, and the wheelbase - by 12 mm.

Surprisingly, the durability of the stabilizer struts outperforms many competitors.

The front axle has McPherson struts, lower wishbones and anti-roll bars. Unfortunately, the ball joints are firmly fixed, therefore, in case of wear, you will have to replace the lever assembly (from 2,000 rubles). However, the design of some analogs allows you to change the ball separately (from 400 rubles per support).

At the rear, a multi-link circuit is used, which Volvo has named Multi-Link. Average service life is more than 100,000 km. But when something wears out, you have to spend a lot.

Front wheel hub bearings also do not differ in durability - from 2,000 rubles.

Restoring leverage is inconsistent with the plant's recommendations, and few people know how to do it correctly. Although the spare parts kit is closely intertwined with the Mitsubishi Carisma range, few chassis elements are interchangeable. Only someone who has dealt with both cars and knows what fits what will be able to pick up analogues.

The rear levers create the most problems (from 1200 rubles per lever).

Engines

The range of Volvo C 40 engines is very wide. All of them are equipped with a belt-type timing drive with a replacement interval of 60,000 km.

The most durable are aspirated gasoline. They are able to cover more than 400,000 km without interruption. With proper care, turbo engines will last as much. Only the coils, air flow meter, starter and generator have to be changed. Gasoline units have a specific design, and therefore it is better to service them in specialized services.

But be careful. The "black sheep" is the 1.8i (125 and 121 hp) with direct injection, which is borrowed from Karisma. It is this unit that creates problems during operation and does not allow the installation of HBO, which for many potential buyers is a serious drawback. It's all about the capricious fuel system.

It should be borne in mind that hydraulic valve clearance compensators were used only in old gasoline units. In the samples of the last years of production, pushers of a fixed size were installed, so possible changes in the gap will not be compensated automatically. Adjustment required. When using HBO, the procedure will be needed every 20-30 thousand km, which will cost 2000-3000 rubles.

With diesel engines, the situation is not so rosy. They all hail from Renault and are operated according to French standards. A typical ailment is numerous oil leaks for the first 100,000 km.

Diesel engines suffer from oil leaks that are expensive to fix.

There were three versions of the 1.9-liter turbodiesel to choose from. The 90-horsepower has a conventional multipoint injection. It is not very fast, shows average efficiency and is load sensitive at high speeds. Quite often punches the head gasket. The head itself can burst.

The 95-horsepower has received direct injection and represents a reasonable compromise between price, performance and economy. The weak point is the high pressure fuel pump.

Versions with a recoil of 102-115 hp. differ in the Common Rail injection system. They are the most modern and quietest in the diesel range, have higher potential, but are quite expensive to repair. Vulnerable elements: turbocharger and fuel injectors.

Typical problems and malfunctions

Given the age of the model, you will inevitably have to deal with numerous minor malfunctions. Owners complain about unreliable turn signal and light switches, instrument panel illumination faults, and problems with the hood opening mechanism. Over time, the immobilizer and central locking refuse to obey, the lamps of the rear lights burn out regularly.

Transmissions also cause certain troubles: there are problems with shifting.

The body is very well protected against corrosion. However, in the very first examples, traces of corrosion are observed on the trunk lid and hood. Outside door handles sometimes burst from severe frost.

Over time, the parking brake mechanism jams.

Conclusion

The Volvo S40 / V40 is one of those cars bought with heart, not common sense. Yes, it is thoroughly protected against corrosion, practical, functional and well equipped. But in terms of quality and spare parts supply, it does not compare with more popular competitors. Volvo can only be recommended to those looking for an original car at an affordable price. It is better to pay attention to the youngest specimens collected after restyling in 2002.

Specifications Volvo S40 / V40 (1995-2004)

Petrol versions

Version
Engine				direct injection
Working volume
Location cylinders / valves
Power
Maximum torque
Performance
Maximum speed
Acceleration 0-100 km / h
Average consumption, l / 100 km

Diesel versions

Swedish cars Volvo S40, V50, C30 and C70 were produced from 2003 to 2013, the class is the same as Ford Focus or Mazda 3. They even use the same platform. We will now find out how much more reliable Volvo cars are than other competitors. S40 - sedan, V50 - station wagon, C30 and C70 - coupe. Volvo's body is clearly more reliable than competitors with the same platform. The hood is made of aluminum, does not corrode, and in general, the body is covered with a galvanized coating on both sides, so it stays well even on the oldest cars. The paintwork does not grow cloudy, does not peel off and does not rub off, as in the Mazda 3 or Ford Focus. Now on the market you can find cars with a 10-year age and a mileage of over 200,000 km, but in good condition for adequate money. On such cars, the body is usually always in good condition.

There are also a lot of body electronics in the car, it can suffer from dampness. Buttons on the console may stop working after 12 years of use. Sometimes you just need to clean the contacts to make the buttons work.

The interior looks good enough even after many years of operation. The plastic looks good, the leather also looks tolerable for a long time. Squeaks appear only after 10 years of operation. It happens that over time the immobilizer does not recognize the key, and the ignition lock may also wear out, the starter will not always turn. A new ignition lock will cost around 170 euros. There are also cases that the windows begin to twitch, the electric seat drives can junk.

The power window control unit, which is located inside the doors, is afraid of dampness. Electromechanical door lock modules can also fail on older vehicles manufactured before 2007. The drainage of the hatch can become clogged, then it will not be very pleasant, because the upholstery will deteriorate, and there may be problems with the wiring, so you need to monitor this.

If the headlights, dashboard or interior lighting suddenly start to junk, this means that you need to check the state of the CEM unit board, sometimes it is enough to just clean it and seal it from moisture. But it is better not to hesitate and immediately correct the situation, because the whole car can turn off. A new CEM unit costs about 800 euros.

In general, there are many different minor problems, in most cases it all depends on who was the owner of this car. It happens that the harness of the electric drive of the lock breaks, it also happens that the trunk stops closing. There are cases that after 100,000 km. mileage, the Bosch fuel pump, which is installed in the gas tank, fails. To change the fuel pump, you will have to remove the tank, and a new pump costs about 250 euros. But recently, craftsmen have learned to install cheap VAZ gasoline pumps in Volvo. You also need to monitor the radiator fan, because if moisture or salt gets on it, it will quickly fail.

Engines

In the basic configuration, there is a 1.6-liter engine, this is the B 4164 S3 (Duratec 1.6) engine, in which you need to periodically change the timing belt. The same motor was developed back in 1998 for the 1st generation Ford Focus. For the Volvo S40, this motor comes without phase shifters, therefore it is considered very reliable. But he also has some minor problems. It happens that ignition modules or some sensors fail. You also need every 120,000 km. manually adjust valve clearances. But in general, if the motor is not specially tortured, then it can serve its 300,000 km. very easy.

There are also motors with a chain - these are engines with a volume of 1.8 and 2.0 liters, running on gasoline. These motors are installed on about 15 and 17% of cars, respectively, made in Mazda, they have the same design, the chain can withstand about 220,000 km. mileage. These engines can last even longer than a 1.6 engine. Mileage 350,000 km. - not the limit. But it also happens that there are minor troubles with the motors.

For example, rather weak bearings of the belt rollers of ancillary units, it often happens that they already require replacement after 80,000 km. And to 100,000 km. mileage may fail the thermostat, so while driving, it is advisable to monitor the temperature of the coolant. A new thermostat costs around 35 euros.
It happens that the engine starts to float at idle speed, it jerks or starts up badly when driving, this means that it is time to replace the ignition coils, and the ignition wires can also be changed. It also happens that after 120,000 km. mileage due to wear on the right hydraulic support, the motor begins to tremble. A new such hydromount costs about 100 euros.

It also happens that the throttle body gets dirty, so it is advisable to clean it every 50,000 km. Because a new unit of this kind costs 250 euros. The fact that it's time to do the cleaning will be said by the floating engine speed, and if you completely start this business, then the throttle may generally wedge. If suddenly after 3000 rpm the thrust starts to disappear and the check engine light comes on, it means that the intake manifold flap control valve needs to be changed, which costs about 80 euros.

It is advisable, after replacing the candles, to check whether there is oil in the candle wells, if there is, then the valve cover is loose, it must be tightened, and if this does not help, then the gasket must be changed. But the most popular engines are the Swedish B 5244 engines with a volume of 2.4 liters, they are installed on 40% of cars. These engines consume a lot of gasoline - about 13 liters per 100 km. run around the city. But on the other hand, these motors serve for a long time thanks to the proven design. 500,000 km mileage - for these motors - not the limit. But to change the spark plugs in such an engine, you need to remove the intake manifold. There are also turbocharged engines, they are few - about 2%, the volume is 2.5 liters, they serve 350,000 km each.

Sometimes there are times when about 100,000 km. mileage there is a whistle from under the hood, then this is not a reason to panic, you need to check what is the matter here - unscrew the oil filler cap or pull out the oil dipstick. If the noise disappears, then the rubber membrane in the crankcase ventilation system has leaked. It will be quite expensive to change the entire assembly - 150 euros, but now many craftsmen can already change the membrane separately.

And on turbocharged engines with a 2.5-liter engine, thin tubes of the crankcase ventilation system are easily clogged, so it is better not to tighten the oil when changing the oil and change it every 7-10 thousand km.
Over time, the vacuum pump may also make noise, because the control valve is out of order. A new vacuum pump costs 350 euros, and the control valve, complete with connections, costs 100 euros. It also happens that the phase shifter couplings begin to flow after 90,000 km, but this must be eliminated immediately, because the oil will immediately fall on the timing belt, and it will quickly wear out. Therefore, if traces of oil appear on the casing, you must immediately sound the alarm so that you do not have to overhaul the motor ahead of time.
It is also desirable during maintenance, every 15,000 km. change and drive belts of ancillary units.

Diesel engines are rarely found in the Volvo S40, because there were no official cars with diesel engines. If they brought a car from Europe, then they may have a diesel engine.
Diesel engines are D 416 with a volume of 1.6 liters and 2-liter D 4204, they are quite reliable, made by the PSA Peugeot Citroen concern. There is also its own Swedish 5-cylinder D 5244 T, it was developed by Volvo and was first installed in the S80 in 2001. But this motor requires pure diesel fuel, and every 50,000 km. requires cleaning the swirl flap assembly. You also need to periodically clean the crankcase ventilation system. From city driving, the particulate filter begins to clog at about 100,000 km. and an exhaust gas recirculation system. The electric boost pressure regulator is still weak here; its replacement will require 150 euros.

Automatic transmissions were installed on cars produced before 2008 with Swedish engines. This 2000 Aisin-Warner ¬AW55-51SN five-speed gearbox was not particularly reliable on Volvo XC90 and Volvo S60 cars. And in Volvo S40, V50, C30 and C70, an upgraded version of this box was installed. In 2004, it was finalized, a more reliable valve body was installed. On S40 cars, this box lasts long enough, if not killed - about 250,000 km. And after this run, it is enough to simply change the worn out oil seals, clutches, solenoids and bushings.

In 2010, a newer 6-speed automatic Aisin-Warner TF-80SD appeared. This box was first created in 2003, but by 2010 the hydraulics have been upgraded in this box. Once every 70,000 km. in these boxes it is necessary to change the transmission oil, then they will serve for a long time without jerks when shifting gears.

There is also a 6-speed preselection - Ford's Getrag 6DCT450, it was installed on the post-styled Volvo S40 and V50 in 2007, these cars have a 2-liter gasoline engine. At first, the electronic control units of the automatic transmission were changed under warranty. The oil and filter should be changed more often - every 45,000 km. It is possible earlier, so that the solenoid valves and the valve body do not have time to clog, if they clog, the robot box will begin to twitch and wear out faster. And already up to 150,000 km. will fail.

There are also manual gearboxes M65 and M66 from Getrag, they also come complete with 5-cylinder engines from Volvo. Mechanical gearboxes are also very reliable, the clutch only needs to be changed every 160,000 km so that the dual-mass flywheel of the engine does not fail, because it is quite expensive - 1,000 euros.

In trim levels with a 1.6 engine from Ford, there is a French 5-speed manual iB5 from Bordeaux Transmission. This is a rather old and not very successful transmission, it was also installed in the Ford Fiesta. After 70,000 km. drive seals begin to leak, and on cars after 2011, the seals were modified and these seals began to serve 2 times longer. But if you constantly load the box, then the axle of the satellites in the differential may not support. The renovation will cost a lot of money - over 1,000 euros. After 100,000 km. noise from the input shaft bearing may appear so that it does not jam - it needs to be changed.

There is also a German five-speed MTX75 from GFT. This box goes to engines from Mazda (1.8 and 2.0). In this box, you also need to monitor the condition of the oil seals so that the oil level is always normal, because if it is not enough, the shafts and teeth of the gears will begin to wear out faster. After 60,000 km. mileage, the release bearing usually fails, which must be replaced as an assembly with the clutch cylinder. To replace the clutch, you will have to remove the box.

Suspension

In terms of reliability, the suspension is the same as on Ford and Mazda, it does not differ in particular durability, but it does not break down quickly either. Spare parts for Volvo are slightly more expensive than for Mazda or Ford. The rear shocks are here with automatic body leveling. They serve about 100,000 km. But when the time comes for replacement, you will have to pay 400 euros for each shock absorber. Therefore, very often many owners, in order to save money, simply install ordinary shock absorbers, which cost 100 euros each, you can also find an analogue for 50 euros. Front shocks cost about the same.

After about 70,000 km. in the front suspension, it is already necessary to change the stabilizer struts and wheel bearings. Racks cost 30 euros for a branded part, and a non-original can be taken for 15 euros. To change the wheel bearings, you have to change the entire hub assembly for 200 euros. To save money, you can take a hub from Ford or Mazda, they are 3 times cheaper, and the design does not differ at all. It should also be remembered that the bearing is very well protected from dirt, so it is best to avoid deep puddles if possible.

Approximately 80,000 km. the front levers serve, usually silent blocks fail earlier, each lever assembly with a ball joint costs 150 euros. But in general, the rear multi-link suspension is reliable and lasts a long time, it is necessary to make repairs in it not earlier than after 140,000 km. A complete overhaul of the rear suspension will cost around 600 euros. Silent blocks are usually changed in assembly with levers, but now on many services they can simply press a new silent block into the old levers.

Steering

Steering rods and tips serve at least 150,000 km. And on cars with a 1.6 petrol engine there is a hydraulic booster, it can come out of a standing position and the rail itself too. A new rake costs 1000 euros, but you can install a rake from a Ford for 650 euros.

The small Volvo 300 and 400 series were considered desirable but problematic cars. It just so happened that cooperation with Renault in terms of engines and manual gearboxes, while the French electrician and Dutch assembly did not provide the traditional Swedish quality. But the first S40 tried very hard to turn the tide.

The motors were now mostly their own, plus one from Mitsubishi. They tried to raise the quality of the car - in particular, the galvanizing of the body was supposed to solve most of the issues with corrosion resistance. But in practice, the set goals were not fully achieved.

The car was able to get much better, but the quality problems were not completely solved. Corrosion, manual gearboxes, suspensions and electrics were troublesome even on fresh cars. Fortunately, restyling helped with the rejection of total unification with Carisma.

This step, for example, made it possible to make the suspension more comfortable and reliable, the anti-corrosion treatment of the body was improved, and the paint stopped peeling off. As a result, the body began to corrode slowly and not so noticeably. And the MKP was replaced with its own, getting rid of the problem brainchild of Renault.

It is not known what the next generation of the model could become, but the issue was solved simply. Ford Motor Company bought Volvo, got rid of the unprofitable plant, and the next generation S40 was built on a global platform and with Ford components. The production of the model was moved to Ghent, Belgium, and the quality problems were forgotten, the small Volvo became as reliable as the large, if not better. Anyway, in that.

What should you buy for?

The first generation Volvo S40 is still attractive today. Excellent Scandinavian design, a very high-quality interior, and even on the move, the cars retain their nobility, despite the years passed. The level of comfort is incomparable with the soplatform Mitsubishi, and it is simply impossible to guess about the relationship.

In the photo: Volvo S40 "1996-2000

And in terms of safety, Volvo has a lot to offer: a reinforced body structure is required for all cars of the brand, airbags are standard, all proprietary protection systems are also available. In general, the car remains relevant. And at a price of less than 200 thousand rubles, or even less than 150, this is a very attractive option for poor and, moreover, demanding drivers. But she also has a lot of "pitfalls" in store. Let's talk about them.

Body

If you are told that the Volvo S40 is galvanized - believe me, it is. Just do not believe it if they say that it does not rust. Unfortunately, zinc plating does not permanently protect the body metal, especially if the paintwork is weak and the body panels have many points where dirt can collect. In addition, the soil on galvanized metal holds worse than on ordinary steel.

It was the painting that became the main problem for dorestyling cars, and after restyling, despite the change in the technical process, there were difficulties with poor ventilation of the area under the plastic door sills and with the tightness of the rear arch seams and other seals.

Front bumper

price for original

34 978 rubles

It is easy to see what these shortcomings lead to: it is enough to inspect a car that costs less than 100 thousand rubles. Rotten sills and peeling and rusting arches will almost certainly not be hidden. On cars after restyling, the damage is usually less, and the general condition of the panels is better, but the list of the main problem points, where corrosion is at least already present, remains. These are sills, especially in the front, rear and front wheel arches, a roof above the windshield, amplifiers for the front and rear bumpers, a front panel in the lower part and at the central bulkhead, a rear panel under the boot lid seal and a "shelf" under the rear window, where adjoins the trunk lid, especially the drains on the sides, and "sandblasting" places on the bottom and arches. The trunk lid and bottom of the doors also suffer in the first place, but how the attachment parts are repaired and changed is much easier.

In the photo: Volvo S40 "2002-04

Do not forget about the salon inspection. Wet floors almost certainly lead to the appearance of foci of corrosion at all seams, and a wet trunk can also lead to rotting of the side niches and seams of the side members under the soundproofing mats.

There are no problems with the repair of the thresholds, there are repair kits numbered 9008011 (left) and 9008012 (right). If the price seems too high, then the pieces of iron from the VAZ-2109 are good (do not forget that we are talking about ultra-budget cars). The threshold itself and the floor connector from the "chisel" need to be lengthened by about 1 cm. Repair kits for arches are also available, and they can also be picked up from domestic cars if you are confused by the prices of Chinese parts. Rumor has it that they fit from the Chevrolet Niva with minimal revision.

Thanks to galvanizing: there are practically no cars with severe corrosion in the area of \u200b\u200bthe engine shield and damaged suspension cups, with a rotted bottom and struts, but restoring neglected copies usually does not make sense. It is always easier to find a relatively complete body, and if you do not shy away from working with your hands, it is better to change the manual gearbox or engine than invest in the body.

When buying, you should be meticulous and not be fooled by the external shine. A lift or overpass is required, and the thresholds should be tapped - often there is simply no metal there. In advanced cases, the amplifier of the threshold also decays, which greatly increases the cost of repairs, but for most cars it is enough to replace the outer part and clean-anti-anticore the insides with checking the work of the body drains.

In the photo: Volvo S40 "1996-2000

The outer plastic sill protects little against sandblasting, but is poorly located. It is she who is responsible for most of the problems of sills and adjacent areas of the body. In winter, it collects dirt and snow, and its attachment points are natural catalysts for corrosion.

Front wing

price for original

13 088 rubles

The design of the lockers at both the front and back is also one of the causes of the problems. Weak fastening of the edge at the junction with the wing leads to damage to the paintwork at the clips, and the profile of the front locker corny collects moisture in this area. In addition, they do not seal the arch well enough, and it is constantly wet there. The parts are not that expensive, but if the body of your car is still intact, then you should pay close attention to the condition of the plastic and its attachments. Arch expanders, which are supposed to protect the edge from "sandblasting", in practice collect dirt and lead to the destruction of the paintwork under them, during inspection it is necessary to remove them and check whether the metal is preserved inside.

The underbody is generally in acceptable condition. Slight corrosion on the brackets and in areas of damage to the anti-corrosion coating layer is bound to occur, but serious and extensive corrosion is relatively rare. Pay attention to the condition of the aluminum heat-shielding casings, they protect the central part of the body from corrosion, and if they are removed, or they do not come into contact with metal, then you need to check the bottom with partiality.

In the photo: Volvo S40 "2000-02

Against the background of corrosive problems, all the rest look like a trifle - the usual troubles of old cars. The optics are usually worn out, and the glass headlight covers also lose transparency. Weak fastenings of decorative elements and a radiator grille, cracked foglights, breakdowns of gear motor headlight cleaners, breakdowns of an electrified antenna - these are all characteristic troubles, but they cannot be called serious. Unless all these troubles together will pull a decent amount.

But the breakage of the windshield wipers trapezoid is already expensive. Over time, the bushings of the leash axle sour, and the bushing turns in the mounting bracket. Of course, the work of the wiper further proceeds with a huge backlash, and it does not clean the glass. Any tapping from the drive side is a reason to look under the "frill" for the purpose of revision. Breakdown is solved either by installing repair parts, or by light "collective farm", and the latter is more effective if performed at the proper level.

In the photo: Volvo S40 "2002-04

A new part with an installed bronze bushing or even a ball bearing turns out to be several times more reliable than factory plastic with a bushing, it is not afraid of attempts to clean the glass covered with snow or with frozen wipers. Such parts can be purchased ready-made through the owners' clubs, and at a price they will not be more expensive than the original.

In frosts, the locks of the car tend to freeze, as a result, the "central lock" stops working. But you can usually get into it with a key, so do not forget about the larvae in the door.

Salon

The interior is made as it should be for a premium car. Reliable, solid and with good materials. Age has a very weak effect with minimal maintenance: both leather and fabric after a good dry cleaning are able to please with an almost pristine appearance. Moreover, the skin can be synthetic, this usually does not affect the condition. Obviously visible wear is either the mileage above 300 thousand, or the frankly swinish handling of the car.

In the photo: Torpedo Volvo S40 "2000–02

There are few exceptions. The manual transmission lever cover, the driver's door handle and the leather steering wheel may lose their presentation earlier, but again, this is most likely a consequence of poor care. There is little damage to the interior equipment.

Pay attention only to the power window control panel and their drives, as well as to the operation of automatic climate control. By the way, here it is little distinguishable at first glance from manual adjustment, since it does not have displays fashionable in the late 90s, but take a closer look, the temperature adjustment knob is marked in degrees on the driver's side. Therefore, this is precisely automatic climate control. If there are no numbers, but the temperature is on the passenger side, then manual. The only drawback of such a system is that the temperature markings for cars with the imperial system of measures look extremely unusual.

In machines with high mileage, wear of the fan bearings is observed, but they are quite successfully replaced. Even in cars with climate control, the MJ802 transistor in the fan control system may fail, and it will stand up. It is not difficult to find a replacement, but the reason for the departure of the transistor is usually the wedging of the notorious fan bearings, and the work must be carried out in combination.

Pictured: Interior Volvo S40 "2002-04

A loose rocker of the manual transmission lever on cars before restyling is usually not only a result of wear of the stage bushings, but also the general looseness of the switching mechanism of an unsuccessful renochnical manual gearbox. The bushings can be replaced, and the mechanism can be adjusted, but in any case this is a typical problem and is solved expensively, difficult and not for long. For cars after restyling, there is only one reason for looseness - wear of the backstage ball.

Electrical and electronics

The main electrical problems are associated with wet floors, failures of the relay box and passenger compartment fuses. The rest of the electronics is doing well, especially in cars after restyling.

The reliability of the generator is decent, it will easily pass its 250-300 thousand, only an overrunning clutch, which relied on turbocharged versions of motors, can fail earlier. Electromechanical breakdowns are not uncommon, take into account the age of the machine. Fans and geared motors do not last forever, so their performance should be checked carefully. New parts can cost very low budget, and old ones in a "live" state are hard to find.

Brakes, suspension and steering

The braking system of the Volvo S40 is quite simple, and there are few problems. The first step is to pay attention to the condition of the brake lines of the body, especially in the rear. The tubes rot along with the body, and many cars have already been replaced. Brake pipes require mandatory fixation on the racks, in the "free" state they will certainly rub against the wheel. They are made with a fair amount of length, and you should not leave them hanging out.

With disc brakes, the main problem is the reliability of the caliper pin. It is prone to wear and tear with runs of more than 150-200 thousand kilometers and even sometimes breaks off under increased load. Do not bring to a strong knock, especially since the original parts are inexpensive, and the part fits from the Gazelle, although the resource will be many times worse than the original. Breakdowns of the ABS unit are mainly related to itself, inside it tears off the conductors with age, and the wiring to the speed sensors is quite reliable and is a minimum of hassle, like the sensors themselves.

Bushing, rear trailing arm

price for original

1,335 rubles

The suspension of the cars before restyling coincides with that of Carisma almost completely, but then conclusions were made on its reliability, and the suspension was significantly redesigned, changing the design of the front levers, supports and stabilizer struts and revising the design of the rear suspension silent blocks.

It is clear that for a car with more than 200 thousand mileage, the suspension resource rather depends on the quality of the components used, and not on the construct. But even with original parts, dorestyling suspensions rarely cover more than 30-50 thousand kilometers without knocking, but at restyling, the suspension is both more resourceful and silent. In fact, it is better in everything, there is only one exception: the supports of the front struts after restyling are made with an open bearing in a plastic cage, and it very badly tolerates movement on country roads and dirt.

In the photo: Volvo S40 "2000-02

The suspension springs for a heavy car turned out to be a little weak, they sag significantly, and the chances of breaking them are increased. It is useless to buy used, the problem is present even in cars that were operated only in Europe. Those who want to save money have their own ways: for example, many silent blocks can be picked up from Zhiguli or old Mitsubishi. The silent blocks of the subframe are often replaced with the shock absorber support of the Zhiguli front suspension, and in the rear suspension, rubber bands from the "Japanese" are pressed into the levers, they are sometimes used to restore engine mounts.

The steering is reliable enough. On pre-styling cars there are thin Mitsubishi steering rods, they have a smaller resource. After restyling, the rail was changed, and the steering rod is already its own, more resourceful and durable. The very same rail remained the same, moderately resourceful and not prone to knocking.

In the photo: Volvo S40 "2002-04

Basically, the racks are afraid of wear and tear on the power steering pump and contamination of the fluid, after which they begin to leak. They are repaired quite easily, and for the power steering pump there is a repair kit from a stator and a rotor, which greatly reduces the cost of restoring the system as a whole. The tubes are completely reliable and only occasionally damaged by corrosion. The system as a whole works reliably, except that it is recommended to change the fluid in the system more often.

***

As you can see, things are not so bad for a frankly cheap and rather old car. With the proper skill, it is possible to find a sane copy, especially if you have at least 200 thousand and ask the price for restyling. And what about the boxes and motors? Let's find out.

A re-styled version of the second generation of the well-known Volvo S40 sedan (2008-2012) appeared in 2004. Prior to this, the model was produced for 4 years, and this version was on the assembly line for 5 years. The model was shown to the public at the Frankfurt Motor Show and has not changed very much, but we will figure it out later.

The manufacturer used the P1 platform, which is also used on Mazda 3 and. The challenge was to create a simple small sedan for city driving, which at the same time would have a slightly aggressive appearance.

Exterior

The car got really good looks for that time. The smooth shape of the hood and the narrow headlights look really stylish. The lights are halogen on the filling, lenses are present, and xenon can be installed for an additional fee. In the middle is a small radiator grille with chrome trim and company logo. The massive bumper at the bottom of the car received a rectangular air intake and deeply installed fog lamps.

Looking at the car from the side, you realize that the line running from the front arch to the rear optics is quite stylishly designed. The wheel arch extensions are impressive, but the rear ones are much larger. The threshold has a slightly raised shape, and in the middle there is a molding, which is painted in the body color. The rear-view mirrors are quite large, and there is another turn signal on them, by the way, they are made of chrome. In general, the body shape itself is quite dynamic.

The rear of the Volvo C40 car also looks sporty, it has stylish optics, which are made in the classic style of the brand and at the same time it is elegantly fitted to the body shape. The boot lid is oversized and has a spoiler that adds aggression. The bumper has received a massive size, and in its lower part there are many relief shapes, there are also reflectors there. The exhaust pipes, although they are under the bumper, look beautiful.

Dimensions:

• length - 4476 mm;
• width - 1770 mm;
• height - 1454 mm;
• wheelbase - 2640 mm;
• ground clearance - 135 mm.

Salon

The branded moderately strict interior of the car is quite good in terms of build quality and ergonomics. Many interior details are sheathed with high-quality leather, unfortunately it will not be in every configuration.

As always, we start our discussion of the interior with the seats, as we believe that this is an extremely important part. In front, there are quite comfortable leather seats, with weak lateral support. At the back is a simple sofa for three people with a folding armrest in the back. There is not so much free space, but in principle there is enough, a little not enough at the back.

The manufacturer, as you know, pays a lot of attention to safety. 6 pillows were installed, and in the later years of production it was possible to find a blind spot monitoring system. For an adult audience, this level of security is very attractive.

The shape of the driver's steering column for the Volvo S40 (2008-2012) has been designed for ergonomics. No hints of sports, the task is to make the driver as comfortable as possible. The steering wheel received 10 keys, the main part is for multimedia, some for cruise control, if available. On the one hand, the dashboard is very simple, but after that you notice that readability and convenience were really thought out. In fact, these are simple large analog speedometer and tachometer gauges and two on-board computers, but they are really convenient.

The central console has the same architecture, but the material may differ depending on the configuration. The panel can be:

• Plastic;
• Aluminum;
• Wooden.

The console has a small monitor, 4 washers and vertical buttons. Everything is designed to control music and air conditioning. The selected settings are displayed on the monitor located above. On the dashboard at the top is a small folding display responsible for the navigation system.

The tunnel separates the front passenger and the driver, also partially made of wood, plastic or aluminum. It houses a large gear selector, behind which is a couple of buttons and a cigarette lighter. To the left is a small mechanical handbrake. The final part greets us with an opening box with cup holders and a small niche for small items.

A trunk of 404 liters is quite enough, and the volume is honest, the lid hinges do not interfere with the use of the compartment. The rear backrests fold down to carry more cargo, the volume is 883 liters.

Characteristics of the Volvo C40

A type	Volume	Power	Torque	Overclocking	Maximum speed	Number of cylinders
Petrol	1.6 l	100 h.p.	150 H * m	11.9 sec.	185 km / h	4
Petrol	2.0 l	145 h.p.	185 H * m	9.5 sec.	210 km / h	4
Petrol	2.4 l	170 h.p.	230 H * m	8.2 sec.	220 km / h	5
Petrol	2.5 l	230 h.p.	320 H * m	7.1 sec.	230 km / h	5

This car in our country was sold with 4 units in the line. They are all gasoline, but their power is not that high, since the car is designed for simple city driving. Let's discuss them in more detail.

1. The most popular and weakest is the L I4 gasoline engine, familiar to Focus owners. This is a borrowed 1.6-liter unit. The atmospheric engine has 100 horses and 150 torque, this is not enough so the owners often spin it to high revs. He spends about 9 liters in the city and lives long enough - 300 thousand kilometers. Attachments often begin to require replacement after 100 thousand.
2. The two-liter 145-horsepower engine is also borrowed from the American manufacturer. The motor is the same, its volume is larger and more powerful. The dynamics here are as simple as possible - 10 seconds to a hundred. He needs a lot of fuel by modern standards - a large 10 liters. The problems are the same, that is, minor.
3. The inline 5-cylinder engine in the Volvo S40 line (2008-2012) has few problems, but they are "chronic", ventilation and cooling system often fail. The engine produces 170 horsepower and 230 H * m of torque. It is not worth buying it, since acceleration becomes better by only one second, consumption is more than 13 liters and more problems.
4. The 2.5-liter 5-cylinder turbocharged inline row was often not purchased due to expensive maintenance. There are few problems with it, but their solutions are expensive. 230 horses and 320 torque units allowed the sedan to accelerate to a hundred in 7 seconds and have a maximum speed of 230 km / h. In terms of consumption, it is not particularly demanding, about the same as the previous one.

There are a huge number of gearboxes, depending on the motor, 5 or 6-speed mechanics were installed. A 5-speed automatic and a 6-speed robot are also offered. The drive is front and full. There are no particular problems with boxes if they are serviced on time.

The suspension of the model has no particular problems, but this is only in front. MacPherson after a while requires replacement of ball and silent blocks. The rear multi-link suspension is cheap to repair, but quickly breaks down again, but in a different unit. It is recommended to spend a lot of money once on repairing the entire rear suspension and drive quietly for several years. The brake system lives for a long time, problems only happened with the parking brake.

Volvo S40 price

This car was discontinued in 2012, but now it can be bought on the secondary market without any problems. On average, a sedan is sold for 450,000 rubleswhich is not that expensive as the car is good. Many configurations were offered, so you should check them, because the base had only:

• fabric sheathing;
• heated seats;
• radio tape recorder;
• air conditioning;
• anti-fog optics;
• full power accessories;
• 4 airbags;

The most expensive equipment was replenished with the following:

• leather sheathing;
• multimedia;
• electrically adjustable seats;
• climate control;
• cruise control;
• xenon optics.

This is a great family sedan that's not out of date yet and can be bought now and enjoyed. In principle, you can take the model to a young guy, because the design is quite aggressive and there is potential for tuning. We highly recommend the C40 model.

Video

Volvo cars have always been associated with intelligence, calmness and consistency. As well as concern for safety and extreme reliability. "Volvo C40" outwardly borrows certain features of the flagship C80, but retains the appearance of a family sedan - quite affordable and reliable. An overview of the C40 is further in our article.

Model history

The Volvo C40 car was first introduced back in 1995, but at that time it bore the C4 index. It changed very soon, as almost at the same time the Audi company started producing a similar model with the same name.

The first generation C40 was built on the same platform as the Mitsubishi Charisma, but the expected popularity was not at that time. Station wagon models received the V40 index. The C40 received its first restyling in 2004, the station wagon was renamed V50, and the car itself became soplatform with the well-known Ford Focus models of the second generation and Mazda 3 - the first. As a result, 60% of their parts are interchangeable. Many also call this model an expensive version of the "Ford Focus". Indeed, outwardly they are a bit similar in size, motors and consumer qualities.

2007 restyling

In 2007, Volvo carried out the second restyling of the C40 model, after which the car became really popular. At that time, the entire line of models of the company was updated, which were brought to a single corporate style. They all became similar in appearance, but each with its own recognizable differences. On II, many elements were modernized. These are updated bumpers, headlights. At the rear, the exhaust pipes have been modified, and the lights have received LED elements.

In the interior, the car also received many changes - the original design in the high-tech style came to the taste of many buyers. What was only the flat tape of the center console! Other elements were also modernized. So, in the active safety system, control over in and adaptive headlights were added. Among the innovations in passive safety in the car, a reinforced interior frame was used, which better protects passengers from injury. In this form, the model existed on the assembly line until 2012, after which it was replaced by the V40.

Base engine

The main unit of the Volvo C40 is the 1.6 four-cylinder engine, which was also installed on the Ford Focus 2. This is a fairly old, proven engine. Its resource with timely and proper maintenance can reach 500 thousand kilometers. The timing drive on this engine is belt-driven, and it must be changed every 80 thousand kilometers. Attachments begin to wear out and fail by about 100 thousand. The problem of equipment failure and the frequent reduction in the life of the engine is as follows: the car itself is quite heavy, and in order to maintain an acceptable pace of movement, it is necessary to spin the engine more, respectively, it must be subjected to heavy loads.

The rest of the line

Engines with a volume of 1.8 and 2 liters (140 and 150 hp, respectively) are the next in order. These motors are also installed on Fords and Mazda. The unit is very durable and unpretentious. The power reserve is quite enough for a dynamic ride.

It has a chain drive and is practically eternal. Unfortunately, cars with such settings are quite rare. Older engines are in-line five-cylinder. The 2.4-liter unit has a capacity of 170 liters. from. Due to its unusual design, this engine is quite expensive to maintain and has congenital diseases. The owners' comments point to the rapidly failing ignition system and crankcase ventilation. The oldest Volvo C40 engine is a 2.5-liter turbocharged 220 horsepower. This power unit is also not popular in Russia due to the complexity and high cost of maintenance. Such cars were produced with a front and

Since 2007, the Volvo S40, which has been impressively restyled, received a Flexifuel version of the engine that could run on a mixture of bioethanol and gasoline. Officially, such a motor was not supplied to Russia. Also, Volvo S40 was produced with diesel engines, but they are not popular in Russia due to the sensitivity of the fuel system to the quality of domestic diesel fuel. Besides, the diesel "Volvo" and without it is quite expensive to maintain. It is not popular in the secondary market.

Transmission "Volvo C40"

The engines were equipped with mechanical and automatic transmissions. Units for 1.6 and 1.8 liters are equipped only with "mechanics", and they were different in design. The version for the 125-horsepower engine was reinforced.

Mechanical boxes are reliable enough, and there are no complaints about them. This is noted by the reviews of the owners. Automatic transmissions are also quite reliable and have proven themselves well on other Volvo models. Their resource reaches 300 thousand kilometers, subject to regular oil changes every 60 thousand kilometers. Otherwise, the clutches overheat and the valve body fails, the most expensive and complex element of any automatic transmission.

Chassis

Structurally, it is traditional for this class. Body - load-bearing, with front and rear subframe, front suspension - "McPherson" struts. At the back is a multi-link design. The system structurally repeats that of the Ford Focus 2, and their parts are unified. According to the owners, serious investments in such a unit, with careful driving, will only be required after one hundred thousand kilometers. Stabilizer struts and hinges, arm silent blocks, wheel bearings are subject to replacement. The Volvo S40 was equipped with a hydro or one that may require intervention after the first 200 thousand kilometers.

Body

The Volvo company does not betray itself in traditions. The body parts of her cars are extremely durable. Corrosion simply does not take this metal. The reason is simple: Sweden is a country with a harsh climate and weather resistance is essential.

The only exception is the emergency vehicle. The presence of rust indicates that he was in an accident and was not restored very well.

Volvo C40 in the aftermarket

Cars of this brand have always been in demand both in the secondary market and among new units. The reason for this is the legendary components: reliability, durability, safety, comfort. All these components in any Volvo car are brought to perfection. However, these advantages had to be paid, and significantly. You can name the common disadvantages of all models of this brand: the high cost of spare parts and maintenance, low liquidity of the car in the secondary market. Repairing a Volvo S40 with a high mileage can be a huge financial disaster.

Prices for car and spare parts

The Volvo S40 will fall in price faster than comparable cars in the same class. On average, a 2008 car with a 1.6 engine (the most popular) and with a manual transmission will cost from 430 to 660 thousand rubles.

"Volvo" 2012 with a 2-liter engine and automatic transmission will cost 650-750 thousand rubles. Spare parts (Volvo C40), like other foreign cars, are original and non-original. However, both of them are not distinguished by a low price. So, shock absorbers cost 5-6 thousand rubles, brake discs and pads - 3-5 thousand, windshield - from 5.5 to 23 thousand rubles. However, as already indicated, serious repairs and investments will be required after a run of 100 thousand km.