1999 Volvo S40 T review from North America
"Best car driven in over 52 years of motoring!"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Anti-freeze leak -- 7600 miles.
Right headlight bulb blown - replaced -- 9510 miles.
Check-engine light/software upgrade per tech. DCS 28-21 -- 10600 miles.
Check-engine light again at 10960 and 11375 miles -- download software upgrade again per tech. DCS 28-21, and installed swapped mass air flow sensor.
Left low beam headlight bulb blown -- replaced -- 16170 miles.
Loosing coolant -- leak at reservoir bottle -- replaced hose clamp -- 16840 miles.
Check engine light -- 19960 miles; replaced faulty turbo boost pressure sensor.
Check engine light -- three separate times between 20000 and 23700 miles -- finally diagnosed as a faulty catalytic convertor -- replaced at 23708 miles. Rear brake pads replaced at this same time along with the rear caliper mounts on the owners request.
Getting a cold-start stumble immediately on start-up with a reduction of RPM's to the point of stalling; no cause found. Problem has never returned -- 24230 miles.
General comments?
Am using a top-cylinder high temperature upper cylinder lubricant (Marvel Mystery Oil) for the turbo, and being a user of this product for over 30 years, it definitely adds to the good reliability and performance of the S40 turbo engine.
Have installed a larger (22mm) rear sway bar for the factory 9mm unit, and the handling is outstanding. Was great in original equipment form, but it is now terrific!
Very comfortable for long trips -- best since driving my 1978 Saab 99 Turbo.
In all the 28000 miles plus as driven with a 65/35 distribution of miles on highway vs. city, I have averaged over 27 miles per gallon, and not with a soft foot; the transmission stays in sport mode constantly!
The seat adjustments for my six foot one inch frame are adequate for my driving comfort and pleasure. I keep the lumbar adjustment on full tilt.
The DSA (Dynamic Stability Assistance) option feature can be "over-driven", and requires common sense in its application in the wet and in snow via the accelerator.
Have only praise for the optioned headlight washer-wipers (Cold Weather Package), and the fat Sport leather steering wheel as optioned in the USA Sport Package.
For a person who wants a sports car with four doors, and is used to wrapping such a vehicle around oneself for driving enthusiastically, the S40 fits the bill to a "T".
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  | Love it, love it, love it.. |
| Real nice looking, good car overall, just concerned about the gas mileage |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| First year of ownership | 2000 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2001 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.9T Automatic |
| Performance marks | 9/10 |
| Reliability marks | 9/10 |
| Comfort marks | 10/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 9/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 10/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 0 miles |
| Most recent distance | 28100 miles |
| Previous car | Ford Contour |
| Date of Entry | 23rd August, 2001 |