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Sedans Volvo S40 Volvo S40 vs BMW 3 Series
83 messages, Last post on Dec 14, 2008 at 2:58 PM
You are in the Volvo S40 Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
Volvo has exceeded everyone expectations with the new S40 introduction last year, as a result people perceptions of Volvo has also changed for the better . BMW delivered the new 3 series that met consumer expectation, though a very challenging task, but is it enough. Any comment on these two excellent world-class cars?
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Replying to: bons (Jun 12, 2005 9:57 pm) |
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There is really a remarkable difference between these two cars, so much that i think there is a low chance of them being cross-shopped in this segment. I've driven both, and the skinny of it is that the volvo feels "nice and practical", while the bmw exudes "more than just point A to point B" Still, both are great.
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Replying to: dhanley (Jun 14, 2005 3:53 pm) In the S40 I felt a sense of comfort and safety, the A4 sporty and fun, C-class a poor's man Mercedes a little too small. The S40 has minor issue (which I suspect will be refined in the 06 model), I don't think the Audi A4 is better built than Volvo, C-class Mercedes reliability is big issue nowadays, although BMW mechanical reputation is a marvel it is notorious to have electronic problems, for Lexus IS I'd love it if its design is a little more mature and doesn't look like a teenager Civic. But for now I've narrowed it down to the 3 Series, S40 and possibly the A4.
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Replying to: bons (Jun 12, 2005 9:57 pm)
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Replying to: autoedu (Jun 14, 2005 9:41 pm) http://www.roadandtrack.com/assets/download/VolvoS40.pdf.pdf http://www.roadandtrack.com/assets/download/0411_audi_mb_data.pdf The Price S40 T5 = $30,095 Audi S4 = $50,790 C55 AMG = $60,525 The engine S40 = Turbocharged inline 5 S4 = dohc 5-valve/V-8 C55 = sohc 3-valve/V-8 The Acceleration 0-60 S40 = 6.5 S4 = 5.5 C55 = 5.0 0-1/4mile S40 = 15.0  96.6 mph S4 = 14.6 100.5 mph C55 = 13.5 106.6 mph Braking (both S40 T5 & Audi S4 wearing Continental ContiSportContact2 tires) 60-0 S40 = 110 ft S4 = 143 ft C55 = 135 ft 80-0 S40 = 197 ft S4 = 256 ft C55 = 232 ft The Handling Skidpad S40 = .84g S4 = .82g C55 = .86g Slalom S40 = 63.7 mph S4 = 66.1 mph C55 = 67.6 mph Interior noise (quietness) Idle in neutral S40 = 43 dba S4 = 49 dba C55 = 50 dba 70mph S40 = 70 dba S4 = 73 dba C55 = 73 dba Summary: The price difference is day and night the S40 T5 cost half as much as the Mercedes C55 AMG ($30K less) and $20K less than the Audi S4. Acceleration is a bit slower from 0-60 than the other two but very close in the time to distance mark (this is impressive given the Volvo smaller engine). The braking difference show a hughe advantage for the S40 T5, in worst case scenario, this difference could be a matter of life and death. In the handling area all three cars are neck and neck with insignificant difference. And as far as quietness and comfort, the S40 has an edge over the other 2 (partly due to smaller engine result in lesser cabin noise). Comparing S40 T5 with Audis S4 and Mercedes C55 AMG to begin with some would say this is a mismatch. I would say the only mismatch is the price. The stats are in and the numbers don't lie, the S40 T5 is a very well built performance car with very respectable numbers, putting it in the same league with the top of the line Audi 4 series and Mercedes C-class. There is no test number for the BMW 3 Series yet, but from these result I would assume that only the M3 is competitive enough for comparison. So in the same price range (under $35K) I wonder if the others (A4, C-class, BMW 325/330) can measure up to the S40 T5. Anyone found data on 3 Series?
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Replying to: bons (Jun 15, 2005 11:21 am) >>> 0-60 >>> S40 = 6.5 >>> S4 = 5.5 >>> C55 = 5.0 I think the difference in acceleration (1-1.5 sec) is HUGE! Some data from Car&Driver regarding 2006 BMW 330 (MT): 0-60 mph = 5.6; Standing 1/4-mile: 14.3 sec 98 mph.
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Replying to: kga (Jun 15, 2005 2:07 pm) S4 V8 340hp ($50K) C55 AMG V8 362hp ($60K) Given the S40 T5 engine size and horsepower, I think its acceleration numbers are very very impressive compare with Audi S40 and C55 AMG. If the 1-1.5 second faster justifies $30K more then the difference is indeed costly & HUGE! Moreover, the stopping distance result of the Audi S4 & Mercedes C55 AMG is dismal compare to S40 T5 |
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Replying to: hondaconvert1 (Jun 14, 2005 10:41 pm)  
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The difference between 6.5 and 5 to sixty is astronomical. Same for 4mph difference through the slalom. There is a diminishing return for the dollar with regard to performance. Yes, you might not feel it justifies twice the price, but to the sports car buyer it does. Even lack of turbo lag matters. And there's more to driving experience than some test numbers--i wager that if you drove an s40t5 and a c55AMG or s4 back to back, you'd see where some of the money went. Part of it is standard equipment, of course--a $30K s40 is comparatively spartan next to the c55 and s4. Option out the s40 and it's 36K. The audi weighs over 600lb more than the volvo in this comparison(!). Another factor is the merc and the audi in this test are both automatics, while the volvo is a stick. Nonetheless, i agree that the s40awd is already a darn good performer, and if there is a type R, i'd go test drive it in a heartbeat. Now, the new 3 is already nearly a second faster to sixty, and i will say it is definitely more fun to drive, at least to me. A 330i stickers at 36,995. A similarly equipped s40 stickers for 34,478 ( premium, climate, upgraded stereo, xenons, DSTC, convenience package. The BMW doesn't have AWD. Volvo is discontinuing their 3 years of free service next year, BMW has 4 years. Unless i really wanted AWD, i'd pony up the extra 2.5K and get the BMW. I'd probably make it back in resale later. But that's because i'm the sort of person who loves to slide cars around corners and crazy things like that. dave
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