"Volvo C40": advantages and disadvantages, reviews. Almost like a Focus, only better: choose a used Volvo S40 II Typical problems and malfunctions

Things were strange with little Volvos from the very beginning. IN model range Swedish company they appeared mainly thanks to the purchase of the DAF passenger division in 1972. At that time they made small cars DAF 66, which, accordingly, became Volvo 66. But the Swedes did not want to engage in badge engineering and tried to do something of their own. And now the rear-wheel drive Volvo 340 family appears with its extremely capricious and fragile CVT. The experiment was considered unsuccessful.

Models 440/460/480 appear next, but... something doesn’t work either. It seems that the NedCar plant, which the company “inherited” from DAF, is somehow unlucky... They want to close it, but the government comes to the rescue, and now a joint venture is being created with Mitsubishi and a new pair of co-platform cars appears, Mitsubishi Carisma and Volvo S40, the plant comes to life again.

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Volvo 440, 460, 480

But for the Swedes, the experience was again not very successful from a financial point of view, and by 2001 they sold their share in the enterprise and stopped production of the first generation of the “fortieth” by 2004. And in 2003, the second version of the Volvo S40 was released, which is what my story will be about today. She had no connection to the Netherlands and the DAF heritage from the very beginning - this seems to have worked to her advantage!

Not Focus at all

Volvo S40 II

Many car enthusiasts undeservedly consider the second generation S40 simply a copy of the mega-popular Ford Focus II. They're not entirely right. Indeed, Swedish engineers also took an active part in the development of the C1 platform, on which the Focus, Mazda 3 and several other models are built. That is why the “second” Focus is so large and surprisingly comfortable for its class - its genes have a bit of premium Scandinavian blood. Take a look, because in design it is much closer to the S40 than to its relatives in the concern, and it also got Volvo engines - for the RS and ST versions they saved a Swedish turbocharged “five”. But let's return to the S40, which shares about 60% of the parts with Ford, for which fans of the brand consider it a “fake Volvo.”

Ford Focus II

The transfer of production to Belgium, to the factory in Ghent, had a positive effect on quality. And the car itself was a great success; unlike its ancestors, it really was a “little Volvo” and not a foundling. Comfort, style, all corporate conventions and “tricks” in terms of safety and controllability were observed. This is not to say that the car has become mega-popular, but sales have gone up. The second generation S40 was produced from 2003 to 2012, the total production volume was about three hundred thousand cars. The C1 platform, which underlies these machines, is continued in the EUCD platform, on which all modern machines of this brand are created, so the debate about “realness” can definitely be stopped here and finally recognized as an obvious fact. The collaboration with Ford has had a profound impact on the company and has enabled it to develop some of the most successful and scalable platforms in the global marketplace. And little Volvo has not lost anything from this - its relationship with some of the most popular cars in the world has made it inexpensive to operate, but still of Swedish quality.

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Design Features

Most of the cars have a 2- or 2.4-liter engine and an automatic transmission under the hood. Well, the quality of the paintwork allows you not to think about how to sell an already rusty five-year-old car for maximum profit. The Swedes still make strong and long-lasting cars. However, there are enough difficulties.

Breakdowns and operational problems

Body and interior

The interior is strong and only on very old cars it starts to bother you with crickets, but the materials of the seats, door cards and a little - the electrics are let down. The chairs in most configurations, unfortunately, are made of artificial leather, and after three to five years of use they already look shabby. The steering wheel, front door door cards and control elements - buttons and handles - are heavily worn. But that's half the problem.

After five to seven years, the interior equipment begins to fail more often and more severely. For example, the power window unit may fail; it is located in the door, and its tightness is insufficient, or the guides of the power windows themselves may break. The immobilizer and electric seat drives will malfunction. Even on older cars, problems with the climate system drives appear, but they are very rare. In general, don’t expect absolute reliability, but compared to almost any modern car The S40 is a role model.

Electrics

But here again, the car is almost a role model; even very old people should not be annoyed by failures and at the cost of solving them. If something breaks, it is usually either not too expensive or can be fixed successfully. The only thing is that it is difficult to change the fuel pump - there is no hatch in the cabin, you need to remove the gas tank to replace it, and the pump itself fails too often, and the fuel level sensor in the tank also breaks down more often than we would like. By the way, many owners cut out the replacement hatch themselves - don’t be alarmed, this makes maintenance much easier in the future.

Chassis

Here wheel bearings here are short-lived. The mileage of the original ones ranges from 50-100 thousand kilometers, but drops significantly after forcing deep puddles - the bearings have poor sealing. Non-original ones often go for even less. Moreover, the “native” Volvo hub also has studs 5 mm longer, and an additional oil seal with reverse side, unlike Ford and most of the non-original ones. Those whose hubs come out too often try to modify the design by filling grease under the dust cover or installing other protection. Traditionally, Volvo's options include the Nivomat body leveling system. With it, the cost of shock absorbers is increased several times, but the problem is solved in the usual way - by installing standard suspension elements. The cost of “regular” shock absorbers is no surprise. The difficulty is different, there are more than a dozen versions of the suspension in terms of height and stiffness, and during repairs you need to be careful so as not to spoil the car’s handling. The braking system on cars doesn’t present any special surprises either. Relatively low price brake mechanisms on cars with engines up to two liters it decreases even more if you look at parts from Ford. On more powerful machines the components are a little more expensive. The rest is reliable ABS, well-placed brake line pipes and reliable hoses.

The steering on cars with a 1.6 engine has no surprises at all, a regular power steering pump and rack. Tapping in it when running over 150 is a common thing, but when correct operation it won't leak. But with engines from 1.8 liters there are difficulties - here is the electric power steering. The pump is driven not from the engine, but from a separate electric motor. In theory, the system is more convenient and economical. In fact, with minimal fluid leaks from the system, it becomes airy, the pump begins to “noise” and very easily fails. Unlike the similar Ford system, you can add fluid here - there is a filler neck. However, the pump still remains extremely vulnerable and may fail in the fifth or sixth year of life even if everything is in order with the liquids, simply by exhausting the life of the electric motor. The cost of replacement is about 40 thousand rubles, but over the past few years offers have appeared for restored parts or work to restore this element. For 2.4 engines there are good kits for installing a standard power steering pump - the pump itself and the connection lines. This option is for those who want to get rid of the problem of a “progressive” amplifier forever.

Transmission

The good news: repairs are not that expensive, spare parts are widely available, the gearbox is well known in the service department, and there have long been means to extend its life. To do this, install a non-standard automatic transmission radiator and change the oil often, once every 30-40 thousand kilometers, depending on the style of movement. Since 2010, a more “fresh” Aisin TF80SC gearbox has appeared on diesel engines, but since there are almost no cars with diesel engines, the chance of encountering such a configuration is also minimal.

There are two series of engines here. Volvo turbo engines 2.4 and 2.5 have been repeatedly covered in reviews, and. These are good, reliable engines with some features and long-known weak points. It is worth monitoring the crankcase ventilation system and ignition modules. And also remember that the timing belt needs to be changed, as well as monitoring the valve clearances, and the adjustment process here is quite complicated.

Engines from Ford 1.6 and 2.0 are also very good. The 1.6 engine family is quite old-fashioned in design, and there is one main drawback - low power for a rather heavy car. It does not have the most reliable control system, but the strength margin of the hardware allows it to overcome most troubles. Failures of ignition modules, phase shifter valves, sensors and other small details are usually not fatal and are easily diagnosed. And the elements themselves are not very expensive.

The motor was developed quite a long time ago, back in 1998 with the help of Yamaha for the first generation Focus, and since then it hasn’t gotten much worse. The S40 uses its simplest and most reliable version, without phase shifters, which significantly increase the cost of maintenance. In addition, Volvo recommends for it not low-viscosity SAE20-SAE30 oils, as Ford does, but the quite familiar SAE40 oil, which greatly increases the engine life - even on a heavy Volvo, it can travel all 250-350 thousand kilometers before the piston wears out in typical city traffic. cycle, and when driving on highways, even half a million kilometers. Just don’t forget, again, to adjust the valves and change the timing belt. Engines 1.8 and 2.0 are from a different family. They are developed by Mazda and belong to the MZR. They are no more capricious than 1.6 engines, and many are impressed by the fact that they have a chain timing belt, with a chain life of 150-200 thousand kilometers, which makes maintenance a little easier in the first five to seven years of the car’s life. In addition, the power of a car with such an engine is almost like that of a Rolls-Royce, that is, “sufficient”. With these engines you can already order an automatic transmission, which is what I did most car buyers.

Compared to the weakest version of the Volvo “five,” the MZR is a little cheaper to maintain, but in practice, the 140-horsepower 2.4 engine is still faster than the 145-horsepower Ford engine. The engine, of course, has its drawbacks, for example, a very poor thermostat design, a tendency to leak due to an unsuccessful crankcase ventilation system and weak engine gaskets. However, all the shortcomings are covered by the simplicity, low cost and good service life of the engine. A design feature is the keyless fit of the timing sprockets on the shafts, which, with harsh operation, improper maintenance and unqualified repairs, can lead to a fatal phase shift and the pistons meeting the valves.

What to choose?

So, if the cost of operation is very important to you, then a 1.6 engine with a manual transmission is your choice. But you'll have to look good equipment, most of these cars will be “empty”, and besides, they were often taken “on the road” in companies. Cars with 1.8-2.0 engines with manual transmission are a little more expensive, but have a longer engine life, and they are also a smart choice. If you need comfort, then the 2.4 inline “five” and automatic transmission are best suited: traction, sound, the feeling of being part of the company’s “classics”, and the configurations are usually maximum. 2.0 engines are a little more practical when it comes to cars up to five to seven years old, but they also have less of a “Scandinavian fairy tale” in them. We should try to take cars with a known mileage - this will allow us to predict the remaining service life automatic transmission and restoration costs. With a successful combination of circumstances, you can slightly modify the car and extend the life of the “weak link” by another hundred or two thousand at low cost. Finally, I will say that these same engines with manual transmission are most likely either “racers” cars or came second-hand from Europe. This means that the mileage will be serious, and the operation will be tough. In general - refuse.

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09.09.2016

Cars for intelligent, calm and wealthy people, this is exactly the image of the Volvo company. However, the second generation Volvo S40 model is most often interested in young car enthusiasts, so it is important to understand how reliable this car is and how much it will cost to maintain a car over 5 years old in the future. This is exactly what we will try to figure out now.

A little history:

The Volvo S40 has a rich history and was produced under different names “VOLVO 340” and “VOLVO 430”, but both models were not very popular among buyers. The first car with the S40 index was built on the same platform as the Mitsubishi Carisma, but even in this case the expected results were not achieved. In 2003, the second generation of the model was released, which was built on the C-1 platform (Mazda 3 was also built on the same platform). The S40 shares about 60% of its parts with Ford, which is why it is called the more expensive version of the Focus 2.

In 2007, an updated version of the model was introduced. The main task of the facelift was to bring the appearance of the entire line in accordance with the new corporate style, which was set by the VOLVO S80 . Updated cars are easily recognized by updated bumpers, a radiator grille with a large logo, an exhaust pipe and head optics. The rear of the car received a modified apron, and LED optics began to be installed in the lights. In addition to the refreshed design, the car received original interior trim and added power; the avant-garde interior of the cabin is made in high-tech style. Production of the model was completed in 2012, and it was replaced by the VOLVO V40.

Advantages and disadvantages of a used Volvo S40.

The base 1.6 engine (100 hp) is a fairly old engine and is well known for Ford cars. With proper maintenance, the service life of this power unit is more than 300,000 kilometers, but the attached equipment will gradually begin to fail after 100,000 km. The main problem with these engines lies not in the engine itself, but rather in the owners of the cars, the fact is that the car is quite heavy and an engine of 100 horses is not quite enough for most drivers, and they begin to rev the engine more, as a result of which its life is used up much faster . The gas distribution mechanism is driven by a belt, and it needs to be changed every 80,000 km.

Next in seniority are the 1.8 (125 hp) and 2.0 (140 hp) engines; these engines have proven themselves quite well not only on the Volvo S40, but on cars from Ford and Mazda brands. The two-liter engine has a timing chain drive and is less demanding to maintain, but unfortunately cars with such a power unit are quite rare. The 2.4 engine (170 hp) is quite expensive and difficult to maintain; its weak points are the crankcase ventilation system and the ignition system.

There is also a turbocharged one gasoline engine volume of 2.5 liters, but they were also afraid of it, because servicing such a unit is not cheap. In line power units there are several diesel engines, although in the CIS countries cars with such engines are very rare, but if you come across such an example, it’s better to pass by, as they kill you very quickly fuel system on the quality of diesel fuel sold at our gas stations. The weak point of all engines is the thermostat, which quite often fails.

Transmission

The engines were combined with mechanical boxes gears and classic automatic transmissions, the younger 1.6 and 1.8 engines were only paired with mechanics, and of different designs. For the more powerful 1.8 engine, the transmission was strengthened; as for reliability, the owners have no complaints about them. As for automatic transmissions, they too problem area cars are not, the installed gearboxes have proven themselves well not only on this model, but also on other versions of the concern "", in numbers this means that up to 200,000 km the gearbox does not cause any trouble if you change the oil in it every 60,000 km. If the oil is not changed, the transmission may overheat, resulting in the hydraulic unit failing, the repair of which will not be cheap.

Chassis Volvo S40

In terms of suspension, the Volvo S40 is similar to the Focus 2, and this relationship can only be beneficial, since many parts are interchangeable, and this in turn significantly reduces the cost of repairs, also some parts are suitable from Mazda, in addition to this, there are a large number of non-original ones on the market spare parts If the car is operated carefully, then there are not many problems, but serious investments will be required once every 100,000 km. After 100 thousand mileage, it will be necessary to replace the stabilizer struts and bushings, front arm silent blocks and wheel bearings. This model is equipped with hydraulic and electric power steering, this unit may become disturbed after 100,000 km.

Body

There are no problems with the quality of the body metal and paintwork; even in places where the paint is chipped, corrosion does not appear for a very long time. And if you see rust on the body of a Volvo S40, this means that the car was involved in an accident, and its owner saved a lot on repairs.

Advantages:

• High level of safety and comfort.
• Build quality and materials.
• Reliable components and assemblies.
• Large selection of non-original spare parts.

Flaws:

• High cost of maintenance.
• A bit low (clearance 13.5 cm).
• Stiff suspension.

If you are or were the owner of this car brand, please share your experience, indicating the strengths and weaknesses auto. Perhaps your review will help others choose the right used car.

The Volvo S40 / V40 tempts not only with its attractive figure and Scandinavian style, but also, 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 we are talking about a true Swedish car. The only unique thing here is the logo. The rest is a “hodgepodge”.

Teamwork

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

To optimize production costs, the assembly was organized on the same line as the Mitsubishi Carisma - at the Dutch NedCar plant. It was built from scratch together with a Japanese partner specifically for these purposes. In accordance with the plan, the cars were not competitors. The S40 was aimed at the premium segment, and Karisma at the more popular segment.

Body and interior

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

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

Fortunately, the quality has improved over the years. The body was updated, the interior was refined and the suspension was modified. The result was quite a large number of different modifications. Since April 1997, sound insulation has improved, and in 1998 side airbags appeared.

Those interested in purchasing should remember that the first facelift was carried out in 1999 (the headlights and center console 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 grille have been updated.

In the first models, door hinges often suffered.

Chassis

The Volvo S40 cannot boast of good handling. Before 1999, the suspension was harsh, noisy and short-lived. Over the years, the shape, design and attachment points of suspension elements have changed. Therefore, you need to 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 links surpasses many competitors.

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

The rear uses a multi-link design that Volvo calls Multi-Link. Average service life is more than 100,000 km. But when something wears out, you have to spend a lot of money.

Wheel bearings for the front wheels are also not durable - from 2,000 rubles.

Restoring levers does not comply with factory recommendations, and few people know how to do it correctly. And although the set of spare parts is closely intertwined with the range Mitsubishi Carisma, few chassis elements are interchangeable. Only someone who has dealt with both cars and knows what goes with what can find analogues.

The rear levers create the most problems (from 1,200 rubles per lever).

Engines

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

The most durable are naturally aspirated gasoline engines. They are capable of traveling more than 400,000 km without failure. With proper care, turbo engines will last just as long. The only things that need to be changed are the coils, air flow meter, starter and generator. 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 the Karisma. It is this unit that creates problems during operation and does not allow the installation of gas equipment, which is a serious drawback for many potential buyers. It's all about the capricious fuel system.

It should be borne in mind that hydraulic valve lash compensators were used only in older gasoline units. In samples recent years In production, pushers of a fixed size were installed, so possible changes in the gap will not be automatically compensated. 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. All of them come from Reno and are operated according to French standards. A typical problem is numerous oil leaks during the first 100,000 km.

Diesels suffer from oil leaks, which are expensive to fix.

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

Got 95 hp direct injection and represents a reasonable compromise between price, performance and economy. Weak point – fuel pump high pressure.

Recoil versions 102-115 hp. differ in the Common Rail injection system. They are the most modern and quietest in the diesel line, 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, it is inevitable that you will have to deal with numerous minor faults. Owners complain about unreliable turn signal and light switches, faulty instrument panel lighting, and problems with the hood opening mechanism. Over time, the immobilizer and central locking, the rear light bulbs regularly burn out.

Gearboxes also cause certain troubles: problems arise with switching.

The body is very well protected from corrosion. However, in the very first copies, traces of corrosion are observed on the trunk lid and hood. External door handles sometimes break due to severe frost.

Over time, the parking brake mechanism gets stuck.

Conclusion

The Volvo S40 / V40 is one of those cars that you buy with your heart rather than your common sense. Yes, it is carefully protected against corrosion, practical, functional and well equipped. But in terms of quality and provision of spare parts, it cannot be compared with more popular competitors. Volvo can only be recommended to those who are looking for an original car for affordable price. It is better to pay attention to the youngest specimens, collected after restyling in 2002.

Specifications Volvo S40 / V40 (1995-2004)

Gasoline versions

Diesel versions

Excellent car, serviced once a year. Purchased in 2009, during its operation it has never failed. Starts at any time of the year without problems. There were no breakdowns. Excellent handling, excellent dynamics. Fuel consumption is not annoying. Easy to operate, excellent visibility, convenience of integrated child seats.

5

Volvo S40, 2006

During the entire period of operation (2 years), the car was nothing but joy! Obedient, this is especially felt in winter, on snow, on ice (there is a winter driving mode). Belgian assembly. It was serviced at the salon, and then regularly by a trusted technician. I have never used the spare tire. Very comfortable seats, comfortable. On a long journey it showed itself to be 5+. The car was used by the same family. I’m selling because I bought a crossover and a summer house for my wife!

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Volvo S40, 2005

I am very pleased with my Volvo S40, I haven’t lived a day without it, it’s like a “second skin”, silent, maneuverable, safe. The Volvo S40 drove me for 6 years without one accident. It holds the road perfectly and starts without delay. In cold weather it warms up in 5 minutes, the trunk can accommodate 4 wheels and a lot of things rear seats You can easily recline to relax at full height (up to 172). The crankcase protection is original.