Anyone driven it?, experiences, comments?

Is is quick?, it is on paper, how does it handle, is it formly set up, do you really notice understeer with the FWD?

Anything appreciated.

 

A friend has a 01 reg V40 1.9 turbo diesel, and the ride is excellent - some of the best seats in a current car, and I (personally) think the V40 is a better looking car than the S40.

The T4 is highly rated by the magazines - bit of "Q" car.

Volvo have a very strong brand loyalty from their owners.

Richard.

 

Had T4 before my MY01 WRX PPP

Sorry not in the same league

Good for Motorwayr cruising thats about it

Phil

 

You mean it had a nice interior and didn't depreciate really fast?

Explain?

 

I drove a T4 estate a couple of months ago and it did feel quick but the rev limiter cut in too early (500 rpm before the red) it had a lot of toys in it but the fuel consumtion was a joke all in all I was very disapointed because it never felt controlled test drive one and see what you think

 

It's a Mitsubishi Carisma

 

I've a S40 T4 as the "family car". It's not as quick as a scooby or as good round the twisty bits but I agree with the earlier comment that it's a good motorway cruiser. It is hovever very comfortable, well equipped, and reasonably well put together. I've had ours nearly three years now and have had no problems as yet.

It all depends on what your priorities in a car are.

Oh yes, I also managed to roll the prevoius T4 at 50 mph and we both walked away which wouldn't have happened in a scooby.

 

Not entirely true, one of the lads on here rolled his scooby at 90mph and walked away

 

I think I'd rather roll a Volvo - for the safety reason and for the fact that you can say you'd manage to do it in the first place. Weren't towing a caravan were you ?!

 

Hmm. Which part didn't you get?

A Volvo S40 is a re-skinned Mitsubishi Carisma. I don't think they're even made in Sweden (IIRC). It doesn't have all the usual Volvo safety features.

Do you remember Volvo 343s? They were made in Holland, with Renault engines

 

"Talking about the joint venture with Mitsubishi, that is, Ned Car, it started producing in the mid-90’s in Netherlands. The project is deemed to be unsuccessful because both the S40 and Carisma were not engineered to meet expectation, especially is the S40 which is supposed to be a Mercedes C-class / BMW 3-series / Audi A4 contender. In addition to the cost sharing policy by the new owner, the venture is nearly certain to be axed as soon as the S40 is replaced."

So they're made in Holland.

 

Nice car - I agree - more in the A4 guise.

Pleasantly quick but I can genuinely say the Rover 200Vi (143bhp) I was taking to my parents was a match for the one that I had a friendly sprint with for half an hour on the A50 from Derby to Stoke.

 

I've just ordered one as a company car. I reckon I'll save £4k per annum in taking this option over running my own scooby so I'm happy to live with the slight performance inferiorities for this saving.

I reckon a good driver can get a lot out of a T4, it seems to be pretty well set up on paper.

 

Mine was a first-generation model, the latest ones have revised front geometry and a different engine with VVT etc. Supposed to handle better and be less laggy than the originals.

Mine was a bit lag-and-lunge until I did a few tweaks (tightened wastegate actuator by 3 turns, removed foam from airbox, rerouted dump valve hose) which helped a lot.

It's pretty easy to drive 'em quick Just remember that the traction control only works up to 35mph -- after that you're on your own

 

My Dad's got one as a company car (V40 T4)- damn sight better than the Rover 800 he had before - he works for BAe so was non-Rover option at the time.

Was quite looking forward to giving it a thrash last time I came back to the UK. Drove it fairly hard for 120 miles or so, some cross-country, some motorway.

I felt far less at ease at any sort of speed in the Volvo than in my mildly modded (but still on 16inch) euro MY99.
Body control was terrible, felt like the body was attached to the suspension by elastic bands, kept catching my right foot on something above the accel pedal when trying to lift off - quite unnerving.
Also I found the tendency for the car to move sideways by a good few feet when accelerating hard (3rd as well as 2nd and 1st) despite keeping the steering wheel centered was another unpleasant habit.

Steering was pretty light and numb, no obvious indications of grip or slip.

Felt pretty quick, but not '200bhp with only 2wd mechanical losses' quick. Also not as fast as 0-60 times suggest.

The interior seemed OK, comfy enough but bland.

Basically IMVHO it's a car for our more 'senior' driver who is only going to use the extra 75hp on the occasional overtaking manouvre. Or towing that lovely 4 bed caravan down winding b-roads

 

Seems I best get myself a caravan.

I can afford one with the savings I have on selling my subaru, the rapidly depreciating beastie that it is.

In fact I could afford a Westfield as well! Now let me see?..

 

I hada V40 T4, which I enjoyed before I moved onto Audi. You are right, it is quicker than most stuff on the road... traction in 1st and 2nd in the wet is a nightmare, but you adjust your driving to suit.

I used to go through a pair of front tyres every 6000miles.. at £160 a peice things got expensive. But the best part of the car was 3rd gear.. magic ratio to power.. 50 to 80 on the motorway is impressive and it certainly is a Q car.. not many people blast past you!!

My only concern with the car was the dynamic. When pushing on at about 140mph the car does ( I had the first variety) lift slightly which can be unnerving.

I also agree with the replies above.. I had the CD version with leather, climate.. all the goodies... It was extremely comfortable, and will eat up the miles with ease. Depreciation can be steep unless you go for another Volvo.

What about a S60 T5?

me.... I went and got a Audi S6.. now waiting on my RS6 which comes second week of October....
any regrets.. none.. but I have fond memories of my Volvo

 

DaveS6

Shame about the RS6 eh ? October must seem like a long way off.

My diary would read:-

October 14th - Collect RS6
October 15th - Visit AMD to have speed restrictor removed
October 16th - Gentle drive to South of France
October 17th - 1000miles past and blast up the Autobahn at 180mph

How childish

 

Ha ha.. already have the car booked in with APR.. so I should be looking at about 640 to 650bhp!!!...

Will look to do other stuff as aftermarket... may need lowering.. we'll see

 

Don't forget the 1.9 Tdi badge

 

yes, LOL.. it's funny you said that because that's exactly what my mates want me to do. It is possible but I think that the twin pipes out the back might just be a give away

 

Tried one for the day.
Very quick and little turbo lag.
I liked it but in the wet it would wheelspin in 3rd...scary.
Also the engine was a bit coarse.

 

Used to have a T4 as company wheels (hence my username). I drove all the competition -- BMW 3 series, Audi A4, even a Scoob at the time -- and from the point of view of performance / kit / money it was the clear winner at the time.

Obviously slower & doesn't handle like a Scoob, but interior was miles better, seats fantastic (and heated -- the wife loved it ) and climate etc as std.

3-series were / are a bad joke at the price, not even worth considering unless you can stretch to a 328 or 330i/d.

The original A4s are overrated IMHO, and the T4 was miles better value than the 1.8T or 2.4 spec for spec.

It isn't good on the twisties, but no worse than an A4. And it was pretty effing quick in a straight line

It does understeer -- but you soon learn to do "point & squirt" driving. It isn't a sports car, it's a cruiser. But stick it in 3rd gear, plant the throttle and smile ...

[Edited by brickboy - 9/12/2002 10:46:56 AM]