1998 Volvo S40 T4 from UK and Ireland - Comments

ECU has packed up more times than I can remember.

Exhaust sensors have blown everytime you hit the red line, causing the car to stall, it even stalls when going along at speed, if the clutch is pressed, so the engine is at idle. Erratic behavior from engine when stationary, the rev counter can shoot up to 2k-4k rpm.

The build quality is very poor, I have had turbo pipes fall off. Windows clunk when shut, battery cannot stand cold weather, I was stuck in the French Alps once.

The dealers feed you lies, when it is broken. Volvo UK does not want to know about the problems, they say it is the garage's responsibility. Air bags did not deploy in a 20mph crash!

Car has too much power at the front for the weight at the front, in the wet the traction is crap. The so-called traction control (DSA) does not work in wet or dry when the car is pushed to its limits. As a performance saloon, this car is very fast, goes round corners nicely, but reliability is very bad. Volvo are trying to make fast cars, but the cars only like being driven by old gits with dogs! Luckily I do not pay for my petrol, as it does around 10-15mpg when driving it hard.

Saying all this, I do like the performance, and as it is a company car I do not have to worry about costs etc.. It does annoy me when the car is off the road due to faults, as I like to drive it.

One thing I have learned from this car is, if you want performance, buy a rear wheel drive car, which has fat tyres so traction control systems are not required.

Traction control is usually for low speeds (i.e. 0-40 kph) or icy conditions to stop the wheels spinning.

I own Australian delivered 1998 S40 T4, have had the same driver's side window problem, required the replacement of a window switch.

Also experienced the O2 sensor error counts when redlined with subsequent stalling and erratic idle; this also occurs when the ambient temperature is above 38C.

Build quality is good and economy is always better than 10ltr/100km.

Agree that car has too much power for front wheel drive, torque steer a problem when accelerating hard from a standing start.

I've owned a t4 now for 12 months, it's a 98 year car and has suffered a collection of non caring owners throughout its life, I have known this car a long time, it has been thrashed around and never serviced, I bought it for a song and serviced it and replaced/repaired only a few minor faults or components, it is chipped to 140 bhp and can run a set of michelin,s off in 4000 miles if driven hard, apart from that it has no faults whatsoever, it run and drives great, is fast, handles well, and is ultra reliable, I want another!

I may agree with the traction issue, but it always helps to use a softer compound branded tyre and if you want to keep the turbo in line don't just thrash it from 1st through to 5th gear that's how pipes fall off the turbo my Volvo has been top up to now and its just broke 100,000.

I have owned my Volvo S40 T4 for two years. It is a Japanese Import made in 1998. I am the first New Zealand owner since it was imported in 2005. I had no hassles to date. I bought this car because I looked different from a Merc and BMW.

I have kept everything in the car factory spec except the alloy wheels, which were 14 inch factory wheels. Now looks sporty on 17 inch wheels on low profile tyres. It really looks a part.

It car can really rock off at the lights, if needed.

I'm at the moment really happy I own this car.

I wish we had more access to aftermarket parts in New Zealand.