Faults:

Driver's seat leather has started to be damaged in some parts.

Oil consumption is more than normal.

General Comments:

Very quick car, and handling is great.

Look and feel is very nice.

Faults:

Had to replace the lower rear suspensions bushes and rear shock rubbers, then also the front shock mountings and lower front bushes on the suspension (unsure what they're called). All replaced at the same time, and cost R7500.00 (ZAR)

General Comments:

I previously owned a Mercedes C250 turbo diesel, and now a Volvo S40 standard.. Comparing the two cars I have noted differences.

The Merc had more power because it was turbo, but the Volvo has far more comfortable seats and is very quiet (it is a bit rough on bumpy roads).

It has excellent road holding, and is stable on the road, considering that my Merc had ASC and my Volvo doesn't have any assistance.

Also I find the interior build to be of a great luxury standard.. No rattles or moans.

I find my S40 to be reliable and hassle free, and very easy to drive..

Downside only being that the A pillars do restrict a bit of vision. And when you replace the standard radio tape with a CD frontloader, you notice the speakers don't have as much thump/ bass in them.

10/10. A great all around car. I love it, and would consider swapping it back for a Merc!!

Faults:

A CV joint liner needed replacing at about 140000km. Replaced for $127 Australian.

General Comments:

To date this car has been an excellent purchase.

The all leather interior and (fake) wood still looks great and the car goes like a rocket ship at the lights or on the open road.

I have been a little surprised about some of the negative Volvo comments I have seen on other websites as we've had very little to complain about.

Volvo dealerships in Western Australia have been very nice and helpful. To date we have had the car fully serviced at Volvo, but will probably now take the car to the local mechanic where I get my MGB serviced to save some money.

Faults:

No problems have so far occured on the car.

General Comments:

This car is a terrible performer.

It is slow and bulky.

Performances are poor to average.

Handling is OK - actually gets better in the wet.

Gets better in terms of power when up to 90 mph - engine sounds better and more relaxed.

Dealers have always been good.

Car needs to be quicker, much quicker, have better handling.

It deserves to compete with the likes of Saab and BMW, but it can't because its too slow.

Faults:

Leaky fuel unions- fixed by dealer.

Gear lever rubber mountings worn- (common for pre-99 S40's) £40 job by dealer.

Some broken trim on the driver's seat- cheap and easy to replace.

"Graunching" from the front suspension struts. Worn bushings not cheap to replace.

General Comments:

Performance and reliability of the S40 far outstrips the 480ES I used to have. The car corners very well with no sign of stepping out.

The engine is EXTREMELY reliable and has never let me down. After service tuning, the car has managed 40.1 mpg. Average is 38.4 mpg, even with town driving.

Very comfortable interior on the CD model. Leather seats, adjustable driver seat level and steering wheel rake. However, my S40 is a pre-99 model and displays a certain harshness over badly-maintained roads. Post-99 models have improved suspension.

Visibility is generally good, but the front window pillars can obscure vision on hill junctions, and rearward vision can be difficult due to the high level of the boot lid.

Rear seat legroom is limited- tall rear seat passenger had better sit on the nearside!

The car is sometimes used to carry a disabled passenger- the rear springs had to be uprated to allow the loading of a heavy power-chair. The dealer fitted V40 springs to help compensate.