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Volvo S40

1807 messages,  Last post on Jul 01, 2011 at 7:51 AM

You are in the Volvo S40 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Volvo S40, Sedan



Messages Page 121 of 182

#1193 of 1807 Re: Volvo - No compromise [bons] by creakid1

Apr 02, 2005 (11:15 am)

Replying to: bons (Mar 30, 2005 8:22 pm)
Ok, dusty Euro brake pads (& hence dirty wheels) could mean maximum braking power, but the 2001 Lexus demo event showed that the IS can still out brake the 3-series. So the 330i had to force the minimum rim size to be at least 17" for accommodating a super-sized rotors in order to leap frog the IS. Why did CR rate the IS #1 in safety? It's the combination of crash test & accident-avoidance ability.
 
To me, the main reason I crossed out the S40 from my list is due to the dangerously-narrow rear glass width for the lack of instant lane-change info. That's also why I avoid hatches & wagons. Otherwise, the S40's beautiful driving position is the only one that allows my left finger to be in the "ready position" all the time for signaling. That's even more effective for safety than the new 3-series' brake caliper that clings closer to the rotor in the "ready position" when the driver immediately lifts off the gas.
 
Volvo's previous history was poor when comes to accident prevention. The ABS was available kind of late compare to German cars, so our '86 top-of-the-line Volvo (760 turbo) didn't have it & slipped into the intersection on a wet day when trying to stop on a yellow light. I almost had a head on when trying to read the stereo indicator lights that require ducking down. & eventually my sister rear ended someone when trying to look over the shoulder while changing lane to the right on the FWY due to the lack of right convex mirror, which wasn't available until the '88 model year!

#1194 of 1807 Rear window & spoiler by divewreck

Apr 02, 2005 (6:06 pm)

With some negative comments with reduced visibility from the rear window (I didn't notice when I did a test drive), would adding a spoiler further decrease visibility?

#1195 of 1807 Re: Rear window & spoiler [divewreck] by allwheeldriv3

Apr 02, 2005 (8:24 pm)

Replying to: divewreck (Apr 02, 2005 6:06 pm)
assuming you mean the stock spoiler, no, i test drove one with a spoiler and i could not see it...the main hindrance are the back seat head rests. they blocked the spoiler from view. i believe, and if a current owner can confirm or deny this it would be helpful, the back seat head rests can be tilted down, or taken out completely. i know this is the case with my mom's 2004 S60, i'm assuming it is also the case with the S40.

#1196 of 1807 Elevated rear spoiler actually helps you judging the length of the car by creakid1

Apr 02, 2005 (8:26 pm)

when going reverse.
 
But if the trunk height is already too high to begin with, then it'll cut into the view of your inside rear-view mirror.
 
I was complaining about the width of the rear-view visibility on many new sedans including the new S40, Mazda3, G35, Passat, & G35. I think it's the auto companies' conspiracy to keep sedans' excellent rear visibility width nearly as narrow as the wagons/SUVs. So sedan owners will be willing to "upgrade" to the expensive SUVs next time w/o such complain. Ditto the size of the compact cars' turning circle getting bigger these days. What happened to the 32.2-ft turning circle of my 760 turbo & '90 Protege? I remember the Chevette's turning circle was 30.2-ft. & no, FWD is not an excuse, the '82 Sentra had a small turning circle, too.

#1197 of 1807 Re: Rear window & spoiler [allwheeldriv3] by carbert

Apr 02, 2005 (11:13 pm)

Replying to: allwheeldriv3 (Apr 02, 2005 8:24 pm)
The back seat head rests can be removed, and it makes a huge difference in visibility. If you don't normally transport people in your back seat, then I'd really recommend stashing them in the trunk or something.

#1198 of 1807 Re: Planning on buying a s40 in October [greggor] by ride

Apr 04, 2005 (7:52 am)

Replying to: greggor (Mar 28, 2005 11:52 am)
Signed a contract in Dec 04 with Volvo direct in Sontong, Korea near Osan Air Base. Not a dealer but a direct rep of Volvo in Sweden. The only real discount was on the base price of the car which was about 2.5K less than the states, got the full up packages and the cost of the packages was the same, he did cut me another 1K off the car so I'm saving about 4K over the price in the states...30K for a full up T5 FWD all the whissles, stereo, premium interior and dynamic sport pack. Come Oct though 30K will be common for my type of equipped car. But if you want it equipped exactly as you need and the colors you want, direct is the way to go. As far the taxes, don't know about Belgum but I still have to pay whatever state I title it in the US - apprx another 2K, yippee. Although I signed a contract in Dec 04, my direct dealer is allowing me to push my contract delivery back to Oct 05 when I return to the states. And I have the option of rolling my 1K deposit and signing a contract on an 06 if I want, provided my car is not made yet. Full payment is due to Volvo 45 days prior to delivery and the direct dealers do not provide financing from Volvo or any other, we have to acquire on our own. If you canx the contract without cause, they keep your 1K. Hope this helps.

#1199 of 1807 Re: compaison [bigdaddycoats] by mazda6s

Apr 06, 2005 (10:57 am)

Replying to: bigdaddycoats (Mar 29, 2005 3:32 pm)
One difference that was immediately obvious to me when I drove them is that the S40 is WAY more quiet than the Mazda3.

#1200 of 1807 Re: Proximity of gas and brake peddles [twillia] by really

Apr 06, 2005 (9:03 pm)

Replying to: twillia (May 01, 2004 6:26 pm)
I recently test drove the automatic S40 and the proximity of the gas and brake pedals didn't really bother me (shoe size 8.5-9), but I have read that it did bother others.

#1201 of 1807 Re: Proximity of gas and brake peddles [really] by divewreck

Apr 07, 2005 (3:29 pm)

Replying to: really (Apr 06, 2005 9:03 pm)
It didn't bother me either, but I believe it was between the brake & clutch pedals

#1202 of 1807 Re: Yeah [volvomax] by tobersevens

Apr 08, 2005 (1:13 pm)

Replying to: volvomax (Mar 29, 2005 10:52 am)
Heico offers an ECU upgrade but this a hardware upgrade requiring an individual to soder the chip. I know of a company (TME) that specializes in ECU upgrades utilizing software application. As far as voiding warranties there's a law that specifically addresses these type of issues. If you replace a factory part with aftermarket your warranty should only be void for that specific item. If there were a warranty repair issue and the dealer claims that your aftermarket item voids the warranty; they have to prove that your aftermarket item directly caused the problem. This is my laymen's understanding of the law and ecu upgrades. The law i'm refering to is the "Magnuson Moss Warranty Act"
 
Any thoughts?

Messages Page 121 of 182

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