Upgrading my Mazda 3 to an S40 T5 R-Design

Svenskan

So, long story short, I was a very lucky man one day in early August this year, and managed to get this.

Yes, I know it's FWD. Yes, I know that there are cars, nay, VOLVOS that would absolutely smoke it down the 1/4 mile. And yes, I know it's made in Belgium.

Despite all that, it's a hell of an upgrade on a 2009 Mazda 3, which IMO is the ugliest Mazda 3 they ever made and had a bunch of other flaws (the stupid gearbox being just the start). I didn't like looking at it, I didn't like driving it and I didn't even like parking it because it was simultaneously big and clumsy whilst not fitting anyone taller than Frodo Baggins in the back. And believe it or not, the sale of that joke of a car all but completely paid for THIS.

I love small cars, and since I got my first Volvo (a shortlived XC70 for the family) in January (written off in July), I've loved Volvos. I've always liked 5 cyls and I've never had the luxury of having a turbo before. So to say that this car is everything I like in a single car is really an understatement. I love it.

Dewolf

Nice little cars those. Give it a flash tune and remove the tq limiter if it's an auto. It'll wake it up instantly.

Svenskan

Dewolf
Nice little cars those. Give it a flash tune and remove the tq limiter if it's an auto. It'll wake it up instantly.

Cheers.

Yes it is an auto (that's one thing I'd change in a perfect world). I am familiar-ish with mods but know very little about Volvos. Where is/what is a reliable way to do this? (i.e. who do I need to talk to, or what do I need to do or buy?) Especially the torque limiter... no idea what I'm doing with that witchcraft haha.

Ex850R

Nice one!

Hilton Tuning is the pre-eminent tuner to go to these days.

Parts wise FCP Euro with ozvolvo postage discount and return guarantee for all parts when worn for free replacement including brake pads and oil etc.

Svenskan

Ex850R
Nice one!
Hilton Tuning is the pre-eminent tuner to go to these days.
Parts wise FCP Euro with ozvolvo postage discount and return guarantee for all parts when worn for free replacement including brake pads and oil etc.

That's awesome!

Ex850R

Also, tell us where you are and we will advise a Indie Volvo shop.

Svenskan

Ex850R
Also, tell us where you are and we will advise a Indie Volvo shop.

Oh yeah that might have been a useful bit of info! I'm in Wollongong, within easy reach of anywhere in Sydney too.

jamesinc

Welcome to Oz Volvo!

Sounds like the XC70 left a good impression. I do find on some of the newer auto boxes have annoying controllers. When starting from a standstill, the car wants to have a bit of a think about it and then decide between crawling away or chirping the tyres with very little in between.

VolvoMike

jamesinc
Welcome to Oz Volvo!
Sounds like the XC70 left a good impression. I do find on some of the newer auto boxes have annoying controllers. When starting from a standstill, the car wants to have a bit of a think about it and then decide between crawling away or chirping the tyres with very little in between.

That's only the powershit gearboxes @jamesinc.

Svenskan

jamesinc
Welcome to Oz Volvo!
Sounds like the XC70 left a good impression. I do find on some of the newer auto boxes have annoying controllers. When starting from a standstill, the car wants to have a bit of a think about it and then decide between crawling away or chirping the tyres with very little in between.

Yeah so I don't know exactly what mine has. It's a 2012 and I understand that up to 2015 they're considered to be, as Michael said, "powershit", but I have found that as long as I don't FLOOR it, I can still use about 60-70% throttle and it feels like you're being pressed back into your chair. It's not tyre chirping and it's not unresponsive, so I dunno... Not claiming my car is special or anything but I don't find standing starts to be a problem. Having said that, the only other decent auto I've driven is my 08 diesel XC70 - all other cars I've had have been manual or old 4 speed autos (I think my first auto was actually a 3 speed).

I dragged a car off some lights that are effectively on a freeway (yeah, cos Wollongong has that) and was actually a bit shocked by how quickly it got up to the speed limit and I had to back off. But when I floor it, the car definitely isn't as quick, and does that "think about it" thing you mentioned.

BTW, I had to take a photo of the badge for another project I'm working on and it came out OK so here it is:

Dewolf

The SVM badge looks like it’s Scuderia Veloce Motors.

Svenskan

Dewolf
The SVM badge looks like it’s Scuderia Veloce Motors.

Yeah I guess so... but that doesn't actually mean anything does it? I was under the impression that this just meant it was from the Lindfield Volvo Dealership and that SVM thought it would be cool to put badges on some cars.

Ex850R

It's ugly too....

Dewolf

Super Volvo Motor ?

bumperplates

How does the S40 go with fuel economy compared to the Mazda3, and is it good for a taller driver, with someone behind them?

Ex850R

bumperplates
How does the S40 go with fuel economy compared to the Mazda3, and is it good for a taller driver, with someone behind them?

Average for a tall driver, wouldn't be room for adult behind comfortably.

Svenskan

bumperplates
How does the S40 go with fuel economy compared to the Mazda3, and is it good for a taller driver, with someone behind them?

Yeah in that regard the Mazda 3 and the S40 are about the same. I am bang on 6 feet (183cm) and in some cars I have my seat all the way back, but in the S40 it's a little bit forward of the furtherst setting. But with me driving there really isn't room for my 11 year old behind me, so we put the baby seat and our 2 year old on that side (which also has the advantage of allowing the larger section of the back seat to fold down if needed). The 2 year old can then EASILY put his feet on my seat, which means I'm often removing his shoes so as not to get the leather dirty.

Basically, the back seats are not entirely useless like they are in say, a BRZ or most 2 door RWD cars, but the S40 would absolutely not be my choice for a family. It would be a 60 minimum (S, V or XC) and probably 70 or 80 if that was its main purpose.

Fuel economy... erm, the S40 is bit worse but that's not really apples and apples. It's heavier (heavier panels, safer), has a bigger engine and is automatic (the 3 was 6 speed manual). On the highway they're so close you'd have to properly test to be sure which was more econimic, but in town I think the 3 has it, but that may be just because I drive the Volvo with a bit more vroom.

Ex850R

Svenskan
https://ozvolvo.org/discussion/comment/210838#Comment_210838
Yeah in that regard the Mazda 3 and the S40 are about the same. I am bang on 6 feet (183cm) and in some cars I have my seat all the way back, but in the S40 it's a little bit forward of the furtherst setting. But with me driving there really isn't room for my 11 year old behind me, so we put the baby seat and our 2 year old on that side (which also has the advantage of allowing the larger section of the back seat to fold down if needed). The 2 year old can then EASILY put his feet on my seat, which means I'm often removing his shoes so as not to get the leather dirty.
Basically, the back seats are not entirely useless like they are in say, a BRZ or most 2 door RWD cars, but the S40 would absolutely not be my choice for a family. It would be a 60 minimum (S, V or XC) and probably 70 or 80 if that was its main purpose.
Fuel economy... erm, the S40 is bit worse but that's not really apples and apples. It's heavier (heavier panels, safer), has a bigger engine and is automatic (the 3 was 6 speed manual). On the highway they're so close you'd have to properly test to be sure which was more econimic, but in town I think the 3 has it, but that may be just because I drive the Volvo with a bit more vroom.

I agree size wise, my V60 however I would not use for one or two children, a pram is going to take all theboot space. Only just enough room in back seat. I'd call it a smõll càr really.

Svenskan

Ex850R
https://ozvolvo.org/discussion/comment/210901#Comment_210901
I agree size wise, my V60 however I would not use for one or two children, a pram is going to take all theboot space. Only just enough room in back seat. I'd call it a smõll càr really.

Yeah a V60 would be pushing it, I agree. I would be OK with it if we only had the toddler because yes a lot of boot space is taken up by the pram but then you've got 2/3rds of the backseat too. I mean, our first child was born and got all the way to 8 years old with us just owning a Suzuki Swift... so anything is doable (no Daihatsu Copen jokes thanks), but yeah, ideally a 70 or 80 for a family.

My wife has a thing against sedans though. She (somewhat correctly) thinks that the same amount of space isn't as usable in a sedan as it is in a wagon, so she flatly refused when I floated the idea of an S80. She would sooner go with a V60, even though I'm very sure that an S80 has a lot more room.

The S40 is my car because I like cars, while our Kia Carnival is because we all like space.

Ex850R

Svenskan
https://ozvolvo.org/discussion/comment/210902#Comment_210902
Yeah a V60 would be pushing it, I agree. I would be OK with it if we only had the toddler because yes a lot of boot space is taken up by the pram but then you've got 2/3rds of the backseat too. I mean, our first child was born and got all the way to 8 years old with us just owning a Suzuki Swift... so anything is doable (no Daihatsu Copen jokes thanks), but yeah, ideally a 70 or 80 for a family.
My wife has a thing against sedans though. She (somewhat correctly) thinks that the same amount of space isn't as usable in a sedan as it is in a wagon, so she flatly refused when I floated the idea of an S80. She would sooner go with a V60, even though I'm very sure that an S80 has a lot more room.
The S40 is my car because I like cars, while our Kia Carnival is because we all like space.

S80 much better than v60 , like a Falcon.!

So therefore V70 better again.....