Faults:

I haven't had any issues with this car, honestly. It warms the deep holes in my heart knowing that this vehicle is extremely well built and is able to handle pot holes and rough roads like a champ.

I had to replace a valve or gasket (something dealing with the fuel tank) at 108000 miles and it cost about $300. But besides that, I haven't had ANYTHING go wrong. It still looks beautiful and contemporary.

In addition to that, people still comment that they thought my car was brand new (or they did after I had just purchased it).

General Comments:

I have a 2004.5. Weird, I know. What that means is I have the 2005-2007 version of the Volvo S40, but they were eager to throw this car into the market, so Volvo discontinued its old 2004 S40 halfway through the year and began selling the 2005 S40 halfway through 2004.

So technically, my car is registered as a 2004 S40, but for all of the mechanic's preferences I've talked to, I'm supposed to refer to it as a 2005 (or 2004.5, they know what that means, too).

I just really love this car. This is my little Swedish tank. It feels like a hefty car, but I can always fit in the tiniest parking spots.

It also, albeit it doesn't look like it, can turn on a dime. I literally ZIP AND ZOOM around in this vehicle. This is my beautiful precious Volvo.

General Comments:

I was broadsided on the driver door side by an Infiniti SUV going about 35 mph - all airbags deployed - not hurt at all - plenty shook up though - but the car was total loss.

The dealer was right - they are very safe!!

Faults:

The electric seat adjuster on the driver side wore out resulting in the seat rocking back and forth. The dealer replaced it under (extended) warranty.

A vibration in the front of the car (tire balance?) was fixed by the dealer putting on two new tires. They were replaced for free as this was a previously known condition.

A few of the warning lights on the dash would come on periodically when starting up. The dealer replaced the associated wiring loom and all is now well.

The vehicle surges slightly under hard acceleration but I have yet to take it to the dealer for diagnosis.

General Comments:

I am completely happy with the car. My wife bought a 2002 S40 a few years back, and her's has had even fewer problems. We are a Volvo family at the moment and are quite happy about that.

Performance wise, the car accelerates like a high power V6 but returns mileage better than my 1998 VW Jetta. Usually around 9.0 l/100km in the city and I have seen 6.1 l/100km on the highway. Very comfortable interior. My only complaint would be that the FM receiver is a little weak. Otherwise, I'm prepared to keep this car for at least 10 years.

Addendum 22nd September 2010: The dealer put me off until the warranty expired. The steering vibration was never found, but the transmission had burned out clutch packs. The dealer just figured that out. No problem though as I just traded it in on a 2011 Mercedes Benz GLK 350 4-matic.

Faults:

Very little. The xenon lights very occasionally flicker, and a warning light comes on dashboard (all alerts are in text on the display by the way - very helpful).

Booked into dealers; hopefully just a little grease on the connector should fix.

General Comments:

Was a little unsure about the badge at first, and was going to buy a BMW, but in all honesty, everyone I know whom has seen the car has fallen in love with it (apart from one jealous BMW owning friend - doesn't like that the safe "old mans car" blows his off the road!).

The 5 cylinder 2.5 turbo is astounding. It is the same engine and exhaust as the new Focus ST, it drives quiet and smooth until about 3500 rpm, then it comes alive and sounds really throaty without the cheap "aftermarket exhaust" rasp you get on modded crap cars; buckets of torque and far too tempting to floor it all the time!

A medium sized comfy 4 door saloon with fantastic performance (0-60 under 6.5 seconds), and quite honestly one of the most comfortable cars I've ever been in.

Word of warning though - the T5 is VERY thirsty. Most I get is about 24mpg, but that's mostly sedate town driving in traffic. And at £210 a year, tax is a little steep too, but it's worth it!

One small niggle on the handling; it can be a little twitchy when pushing it hard. But to be honest, I find myself slowing down to spend more time in the car - it's more comfy than my leather sofa at home.

Be different - BMW, AUDI, etc. are 10 a penny on the roads, and I know a few ex-AUDI owners who are moving over to Volvo since having been in mine.