New S40 owner better stop lurking

bowie

Good evening all!

I'm a 30 something yr old twat whom has ended up with a S40 T4.

I've previously had a bunch of Peugeot's. A 505 STI, a 504 TI, a 405 Mi16, So I feel I've really just been in training for the interior war zone that is this 1999 S40 I bought. Holy Heck! Like French crap is supposed to be bad but maaaaan.

Anyway.

I broke my Mi16 (was the series one with the XU9, snapped a cam belt) and it had nearly 350k km on it, the gearbox only really worked when it was super hot so I sold it for scrap and went shopping.

I had in mind to buy a 240, a nice coat and be happy commuting, but this S40 caught my eye, so I though f*ck it, what could possibly go wrong. Oh the S40.

It needs some seatbelts for rego, and the right hand front wheel is scrubbing toward lock. What the heck is with all that plastic under the oil pan, in the wheel arch, heck on top of the radiator? Can I piss most of that off? It looks like some of that trim has come loose in the wheel arch and is flapping in the breeze as it were. Well fingers crossed anyway.

I'm sure I'll be back with plenty of dumb questions when I break thing. Just wanted to say hello :P

Cheers all

Dan.

bowie

OH! I remember why I registered, Volvo mechanics around Melbourne. It's going to have to get a road worthy after all.

Google (and the Vic Volvo club site) are pointing me towards Berry motor Group in Mitcham. Good enough as any?

Rob

Berry is the place.

bowie

Good to know :) Cheers

nickm

I have a 2002 S40 T4. Not quite the build quality of the Swedish cars but dam fun to drive

Jensen

Should've bought a Renault 12....

UNM

I owned an S40 and never had a problem with it until somebody rear ended me. Didn't have it long though.
Depending where you are, Voldat are also generally recommended as an independent mechanic. I can personally vouch for Swedish Prestige and Volvparts as sources for new/used parts respectively.

I found a place near me that does a reasonably honest no-BS RWC, but not a volvo mechanic as such, they just don't mess you around requiring a new windscreen when the car meets documented requirements like some places.

bowie

Jensen;74377 wroteShould've bought a Renault 12....

Ah don't give the game away to early.

Jock, Thanks for those names, Yes I'm having Voldat sort me out with seatbelts, It's always crap about starting up in a new marque trying to work out whats what so I appreciate it.

And not wrong re the inconsistencies with a road worthy. I can't believe how much variation one can have.

VolvoDeger

masons prestige volvo in seaford have been around for ever with long standing mechanics with most been there around 20 years

Vee_Que

Swedish prestige are great if you like being broke. Voldat and berry's are quite good. voldat moreso for the s/v40.

Kepp underbody plastic. Its for stability at speed etc.

UNM

I went to Swedish Prestige for a part (B4 Servo cover for auto transmission) and it was reasonably priced (less than volvo) and they actually had it in stock, unlike Volvo. I have previously priced parts from them for daughters saab and they weren't bad - not as cheap as Allsaab though.

True, I have not been there much and have zero experience of their servicing costs.

I'd always recommend comparing at least two places for parts pricing, if looking for commonly available parts.

Oh, and some of the UK/USA companies are actually good if you can afford to wait for delivery.

bowie

Well it's booked in at Berry's on Monday. Mostly because Berrys is on a train a line, and close to my house :P

They tell me they are scrapping a S40 out the back currently so there may just may be a slightly cheaper way out of this.

They didn't like the look of the wheels, despite them being the same overall diameter as the standard ones (checked the speedo against the GPS to confirm the story the seller spun me)

Berrys is quite a place! It did help there was a hot looking 242 in there making some serious nice noises.

Anyway,,, I'll await my fate on Monday.

Spac

Glad that car ended up with an enthusiast - I put myself in the hot seat, but then I blathered and missed out.

I'm a nutter for first shape x40s, particularly T4s. I haven't found anything that goes close to their balance performance:safety:practicality:cost - they've ruined virtually everything else for me.

If you have any specific questions, ask away (which is not to say that I'm any sort of guru, but I am enjoying the learning process).

Chris

Used parts for the s/v40 are cheap in Melbourne but common issues like stuffed front seats and headliner mean some things are hard to find.

You also need to know whether you have a phase 1, 1.5 or 2 as things change. For example phase 2 front seats put in a phase 1 car means side airbags don't work. Front suspension is different and so on.

Imlachs in Centre Road had a phase 1 T4 last time I was there if that helps.

bowie

Thanks for the well wishes all.

Busted seat, roof lining falling down, yep mine has that too! :) Re the roof, I was hoping to find a friendly upholster, we'll see.

Good to know the later model seats won't work in my early shell. That was going to be a future question. Leather is torn in the bottom and the hinge is just staaaaaaaaaaaaaaarting to show. Unsure if it will pass at this stage, perhaps I'll bring them a cake on Monday. I understand they come in panels, both base and top that you attach to the frame. It is just a matter of ensuring I look for the earlier panels?

Now as for these variants, mine is a 1999 model with the B4194T. That's the earlier one right? Vin is:
YV1VS1822XF390957

This phase one point five is interesting. I thought 1995-2001 was Phase 1, and hence after Phase 2. How does the 1.5 fit into it?

In regards to driving it, my previous ride was a 92 Peugeot Mi16, I confess that felt more purposeful then this. But having said that, I drove it on permit to work today and I got out of it as comfortable as I got into it. The Pug had me with my knees up around my shoulders and head mm's from the roof.

The steering feel is miles better in the Pug. Sorry Volvo peeps. Maybe I can just heavy up the steering to have it feeling closer to home.

The boost gauge that the previous owner installed indicates 10psi when the foot is depressed and yes that is a nice change from the Mi16 :D This Turbo thing will be addictive.

Anyway getting ahead of myself. First, the battle of Monday. It could still be a lump of junk yet!

Philia_Bear

Replace all the bushings and check the tie rod ends and the spring mounts
All will be perished to some degree and fixing will make the steering amazing again

Chris

The issue with the seats is that phase 1 and 1.5 have mechanically triggered airbags, the later have electronically triggered airbags hence not interchangeable. I guess you could put a phase 2 base with a phase 1 back but you probably won't match the colour. The mountings for the phase 2 are slightly different (an extra mount point) but they will go in. You might be able to mount a phase 2 base on phase 1 rails, not sure. If you do play with the original seats make sure you put the orange pins in place to prevent accidental detonation :)) For roadworthy a seat cover usually does it.

Headliners are cheap ($30 from Imlachs) but getting a good one that won't also drop probably means not worth the trouble. When I get around to it I will also get my headlining replaced by a trimmer. Mine is a wagon and the sag is in the load area so less of an issue.

1999 is probably a phase 1 but could be a 1.5. Have a look at the UK Volvo sites where they discuss how to tell. 1.5 had some upgrades such as phase 2 wiring looms, some appear to have at least partial phase 2 suspension. From what I can tell the 1.5's are a bit of a mish mash.

Spac

10th digit of the VIN = X = 1999 model.

Personally, I think the whole Phase X thing is a confusing mess.

It's like 240s - while there are some clear steps in the progressive updating (1981 and 1986, particularly), it doesn't mean that there weren't changes in the other years.
While talking about a "flathood 240" or an "86+" are useful simplifications, everybody recognises that it's hopelessly imprecise, and if you need precision then you need to speak about what year model a specific car is.
The same is true for x40s, but we all seem hell-bent on confusing ourselves by using the marketing speak ("Phase 2") for technical stuff.

bowie

Ok, I think I'm at least a little more prepared to talk to the parts places. Thank you everyone :)

I tried the seat cover trick with a Renault 12 a few weeks ago. Didn't work. :P

A quick calculation. If they are proper annoying they will want to change; (assuming second hand bits)

$100 -Seat
$50 -Seatbelt clips (2 x front)
$500 -Wheels
$200 -Windscreen
$600 -General Service (might be nice to have someone in the know look over it at least once)
$400 -Labour in addition to the service for all that because I'm a lazy arse.
=
$1850?

If they are not evil it will just be;
$50 -Seatbelt clips
$600 -General Service
=
$650

And I'f it fails on those easy things, seats and clips, I'll pull my finger out do it myself FFS.

"shrugs"

We'll see what happens.

Waaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrpppppst! goes the imaginary S40 in my mind.

Chris

I can't remember if the T4 at Imlachs had 4 good wheels (or any at all lol) but if so they are $42 each with guarantee, so $168 total not $500. Seats are $72 each with guarantee but didn't have any good ones when I went recently. Almost certainly have the seatbelt buckles.

If you do decide to check it out it isn't on their current car list for some reason, but it was there, buried in the back left corner.