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Sedans Volvo S40 Volvo S40
1743 messages, Last post on Oct 08, 2009 at 7:09 AM
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Replying to: benjamins (Nov 12, 2004 5:27 pm) If you think the AWD S80 rides well, oh well, you're std is probably pretty low.  Maybe other more expensive S80 models do better, but that rental AWD S80 I sampled recently in Chicago got a significant worse ride from the back seat than the '02 AWD 325xi. The previous E-class, which already rides worse than the previous 5-series(per CR), might have some harshness or firmness not found in some Volvo's, I don't know. 'cause I only rode the E-class for more than a few minutes at low speeds. But the S80 does seem like it doesn't got the ultra-long suspension travel found in the typical Mercedes'. & this isn't something relatively superficial that tire pressure alone can justify. My recent exciting discovery about the RX-8 is that even w/ sport suspension & 18"s running at 3psi higher than the recommended 32psi, it filters out lane-divider Bots quite well! Now, that's som'in the sporty Germans can't do! I can't wait to test drive the RX-8 auto w/ 16"s & non-sport suspension & see if it'll be a pampering fwy cruiser. If it does, then I've found the answer. Too bad the comfy base model got no DSC stability control, & forget about asking for a charcoal filter on a Mazda. If you get to drive a car, such as what I did w/ the Mazda6, in both 6 & 4 cylinders forms side by side on a handling course, then you'll discover that heavier engine(read nose heaviness) suffers so much in handling even the addition of the uncomfortable plus-1 wheel/tire set up can't really compensate. High center of gravity also hurts. Making an Echo into an xB "SUV" may still be able to handle pretty well, but rides horribly. The flat-stance RX-8, w/ no overhang-weight front or back, doesn't just pamper you in ride & seating comfort, there's also nothing else dynamically it can't excel. Now, we have a serious challenger to the little sporty S40 T-5 as well as the 325.
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Replying to: creakid1 (Nov 12, 2004 7:28 pm) Rental car. That's one of the problems. The other problem is you only tried one s80. I remember riding in 2 s90s. One had a very comfortable, forgiving ride, barely noticing road irregularities, the other, same age and mileage rode like it had wooden tires, nastily snapped over uneven pavements, and every bump, ripple, and especially manhole cover was an unpleasant adventure. 2 Volvos of the same vintage can yield different rides depending on just how carefully maintained they are, and perhaps, when they came out of the factory. Here's how I'd characterize the s80. A car of harmony. There's muffled impact harshness from the tires, almost no wallow or float, excellent body control both vertical and lateral and what movements there are are fluid and slow. There are some s80s that have had suspension problems, some have bad bushings, and that can result in very annoyed, unhappy owners who test drove cars that road superbly only to have their s80s ride with poor composure. I think the suspension travel is pretty long on the p2 cars. I don't know if it is quite as long as Mercedes or BMWs, but there's a unique, almost zen-like quality to the Volvo, especially s80, that's not part of the German cars, which give a more on-rails type of experience, and a more heavily damped feel to the ride motions. |
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Replying to: fitguy (Nov 12, 2004 9:07 am) On to the repairs/parts issue. Let me first qualify this with a couple of details: I have worked as a mechanic through all of high school and college, plus i have owned and done all the repairs and maintenance on most major manufacturer's vehicles. The cost of the parts for most of my vehicles have been very similar across the board. NOW, as I said before, this comparison is done without dealer prices in mind. Dealers can charge whatever they want, so why go there unless absolutely necessary? Wegman's charges more than Shop Rite (both supermarkets for those who don't know) for the same goat cheese, so why would I choose to buy from Wegman's? So, anyway, I buy my parts online. Been doing so for years. My Volvo parts have cost no more than my Honda, which have cost no more than my Toyota, which have cost no more than my Mercedes, etc, etc. There is the occassional exception (like back in the day when I was able to get 4 new shocks for my Jeep for $100), but, 95% of the time, this holds true.
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I don't have either the breadth of depth of experience of qbrozen, but I also have found that parts prices are very reasonable for european makes. There are always a few dealers willing to sell parts mail order for a discount off true list. BMW air filters for $12, oil filters for $7.50, front brake pad kit for $50, a new radiator for $275. These are all original parts, bought from a dealer. For a while BMW had the lowest price for synthetic oil ($3 per quart) anywhere. People were buying cases of the stuff. As always, you have to know where to shop. |
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I initially wanted to drive an AWD because I am sick of my 2002 S60 T5 and its horrendous torque steer ( I think I got an unusually potent T5!). So I tested a T5 FWD with T-Tec, 6spd and I think it was the basic suspension. My choices are: S40 AWD and a XC90 T6 G35c and a XC90 T5 Getting to the S40, I always liked the styling but in person, they look really small. Inside, though, it has generous headroom but feels very narrow compared to my S60. Clutch and shifter work well together, although I find the S40 a little rubbery but much shorter throws than my 5spd. This engine is much smoother than my T5. It sounds better and has less lag. Quite a bit less. With all that being said, I did find that it feels slower although on paper it shouldn't be. Now I don't know if this boils down to ratios. I go on the highway and at the top of 3rd, I am thinking where I would be in my car. Of course it would be different because my S60 has one less gear. It is confusing but it pulls very nicely on the highway and around town. I made a left turn from a stop and mashed it and the torque steer was moderate, compared to excessive in my car. It is a big inmprovement, big enough to maybe forego the AWD option. I am happy with DSTC and think it works better in the winter than AWD...so I may rethink the AWD option. Handling was much improved to the S60 (which has Sport Package and summer rubber) and the brakes were excellent. My only gripe with this car is the lack of space. I just feel tight in it. I think it will be something that over time I will get used to because the G35c is the same, but felt more spacious up front. All in all, I was impressed with the car and will continue to consider it. Getting back into my S60, though, I really appreciated the extra space, refinement and comfort over the S40.
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Replying to: creakid1 (Nov 12, 2004 1:00 pm) Also, you can get people into the back of the Volvo, bimmer and Acura. I don't know how prwctical the RX-8 is as an everyday sedan.
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Replying to: volvomax (Nov 16, 2004 9:09 am) "Also, you can get people into the back of the Volvo, bimmer and Acura. I don't know how prwctical the RX-8 is as an everyday sedan." RX-8's rear-seat room is ok, but people will hate it unless they got their eyes closed. 'cause the side peripheral vision is blocked by the wide pillars, & the front high-back seats totally wiped out your forward vision -- enough to ruin your mood! |
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Replying to: cmnott (Nov 16, 2004 9:08 am) My experience has been that most automobiles exhibit better acceleration after the engine has several thousand miles on it. In fact, I have been very impressed with how my wife's RX330 SUV has "opened up" after 12K-15K miles. This might partially explain why your S40 test drive seemed a little slower than your current S60. |
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Replying to: creakid1 (Nov 12, 2004 1:00 pm) Having owned two different 3-series, including the current E46 platform (a '99 328i), I do agree they are the no-compromise solution for the small sport sedan category. (Note that I am not quite as concerned with having an extra wide rear glass window, as I am always checking my side mirror views.) I know you prefer the non-sport suspension with 16" tires, but the 325i's sport suspension (with 17" rims) still provides a reasonable degree of compliance and comfort, while providing a heavier, more solid feel. Road joints are handled very well. Anyway, I see two concerns when comparing a well-equipped 325i to the competition -- one significant, and the other perhaps insignificant. The primary issue is the initial cost. Cost is the reason I have an S40 right now, because I determined my new daily commute does not require a "no-compromise" performer at the additional $8K expense. (I estimate $8K because I have a 2.4i model.) A secondary issue is the news I have read/heard from several sources indicating that all 325i sedans with standard transmissions are assembled in South Africa instead of Germany. At least, that is true for deliveries to our region of the U.S., based on my sources last spring. Depending on how long you plan to own your 325i, I wouldn't worry too much about ownership and repair costs. If you follow the recommended maintenance schedule, your only costs for the first 4yr/50K miles will be new tires. All other maintenance seems to be free, including wear-n-tear items, such as brakes, belts, etc. Personally, I typically performed a non-scheduled oil service between the scheduled services, because 15,000 miles (or 12 months) seems too long between oil changes. (I'm old fashioned that way!) Regarding the S40, I wanted to get back to you one last time regarding your comments on the standard non-height-adjustable passenger seat. As an experiment, I sat in the rear seat of my S40 2.4i yesterday wearing my size-11 hiking boots. I had no trouble sliding my feet under the passenger seat! The S40 provides plenty of room under the rear half of the front seats! Trust me.
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