V40's

Murf · Post by **Murf** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 10:01 pm

Okay, so i'm getting a bit sick of having 2x 2 seater cars. I was thinking of buying something practical to cart my mountain bikes about in and the huge amounts if luggage my wife manages to conjure up for even a weekend away!
Top of the list was a V40, probably a T4

Anyone had one, what should i look for/avoid, be wary of?
What are the running costs like?

Cheers

Oh, and if anyone wants a shiny red 1997 UK model 1.8iS MX5, get in touch.....

Yossarian · Post by **Yossarian** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 10:08 pm

V40 is quite good, but if you really want mountain bike space and huge-luggage-space then you're best off with a V90 or 850.

Murf · Post by **Murf** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 10:26 pm

Yeah, but Mrs Murf will be driving it more than me and she's better at parking something MX5 sized than something 850 sized, if you get what i mean!
I'd absolutely love an 850 T5R!!

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 11:27 pm

Avoid high mileage ones the bottom end is quite soft (can't take a beattin)
Id go for an 850 I have a yellow 850 T5R its so much fun nobody expects it to be that quick (its of the road the now as im changing it from auto to a manual)

Ben Harris · Post by **Ben Harris** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 8:25 am

I've heard that some of the V40 engines (possibly all the petrol ones?) are mated to a Mitsubishi manual gearbox - the same manual gearbox that was in my FTO. Just be warned that they're cable-change, rather than rod-change gearboxes, and when they're cold, can be very notchy, stiff and difficult to change gear. Mine used to crunch when changing gear, and was very difficult to get to engage the gears without it crunching until it had warmed up. I know this was a common problem for the FTO, and I've read that the V40 using the same gearbox suffers from similar problems.

It was also much worse in the winter months when it was cold, so might not be as noticable at the moment. In the summer it wasn't too bad. I tried various different oils in the gearbox, which improved it slightly (Redline MTL worked best but was very expensive). I wasn't ever completely happy with the gear change though.

I also had two different gearboxes fitted in the time I owned the car (and a different engine too - but that's another story!). Both of them behaved the same, and I've read of others having similar problems.

Just something to keep in mind - especially if it's not you that'll be driving it, and your Mrs is used to driving cars with a decent gearchange.

Just consider the way the MX-5 changes gear, and how nice and slick it is compared to most other cars. Now consider that difference, but completely the other way around - and that's how horrible the Mitsubishi gearbox changes gear compared to other cars!

Ben.

Murf · Post by **Murf** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 9:28 pm

Ok, thanks guys.
I just showed this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT
to the Mrs and she went nuts and told me she'd never drive a yellow volvo, i tried to explain how special they are but she wouldn't listen!
She actually said, "I wasn't brought up a volvo lover like you and theres no way i'm getting in that!" Seems fairly conclusive!

Ben, Cheers for that, i know how good the shift is on the MX5, its easily the best gearbox i've ever used!
Derek, How high is "high mileage?" they all seem to be over 100k at least!

Back to the V40 hunt.....

bigdickbuster · Post by **bigdickbuster** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 11:50 pm

If you want to buy V40, you must look for the model after facelifting (2000-2002). Earlier models sucks, because they are made not so good.

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 1:55 pm

How high is "high mileage?"

Well mine is on 179.873 and still going strong. done a compression a few weeks a go and all 5 cylinders were bang on what the manufacture says only 4psi a difference between them. if you are going to get one make sure the fluid in the auto box is not black (should be red) or smells burnt and whet the engine warmed up pull the dip stick out with the engine running and see if the is smoke /steam coming out the is a sign of a choked breather system (common problem) but if left like this too long the back pressure in the crank case WILL blow the rear main crank shaft oil seal.

Ettore Bugatti · Post by **Ettore Bugatti** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 3:48 pm

Is an 480 not an option?

Murf · Post by **Murf** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 9:58 pm

Went to see this, mostly because it was close:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

Looked ok in the pics but what a shed it was in real life, i dont get why sellers cant just be honest and list imperfections, instead of me going to look at the car then he pretends to be surprised when i pick things up!
Like:
Almost all panels have been repainted, mostly by what looks like a rattle can. Some areas of paint have reacted with the filler under them and started to bubble/flake.
Rust under car, bubbling on rear doors.
Brakes knackered!
Major oil leak from engine, oil along the underside of the car from front to rear.
Service light on, no service history, no receipts for work done,no idea of last service.
Interior full of fag burns and melted plastic where ciggies had been left to burn.
Etc etc etc, Grrrr!

480 isn't really all that practical and after having 4 or 5 of them, i kinda fancy a bit of a change.

If you want to buy V40, you must look for the model after facelifting (2000-2002). Earlier models sucks, because they are made not so good.

They were from the same factory as the 480 so i would expect the dash to rattle and sqeak and all the trim to snap or fall off

VolvoMafia · Post by **VolvoMafia** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 8:01 am

If you want a T4 or 2.0T (my favorit) you can better watch out for an Phase II model (2001-). There handling is much better due to several major adjustments to the suspension, the older ownes can's handle the power. These engines have the M59 Volvo 850 gearbox attached so there's no problem there.

Don't try the 1.8i Mitsubishi GDI engine, wont save fuel and can cost you a new throttle... Otherwise you can easily buy any V40 you want, allthough the interieur is not as tough as in de bigger models. My 850 at 300000km was still almost like new.

If the Cream Yellow T-5R isn't oke, there are also Black Stone and Dark Olive Pearl T-5R's. Then she won't even know it's a special car (yes yes, a CY is better I know...) For compensation, she can't hold you back buying this in Estate: http://www.autoartmodels.com/web/produc ... 5C15EDE862

Murf · Post by **Murf** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 9:22 pm

Wow, that model is amazing! I would need some scale model mountain bikes to put in the back of it though

The phase 2 models are pretty rare and much more expensive, are they really worth the extra? I'm not expecting it to handle like the MX5, just be reasonably quick and carry loads of stuff.
What is the T5-R like on petrol? That'll become more of an issue if i use it a lot.

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 9:41 pm

mine is doing 26 mpg combined but the auto box is useless around town its allways wants to stay in 1st below 20mph

VolvoMafia · Post by **VolvoMafia** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 9:04 am

Murf wrote:Wow, that model is amazing! I would need some scale model mountain bikes to put in the back of it though
The phase 2 models are pretty rare and much more expensive, are they really worth the extra? I'm not expecting it to handle like the MX5, just be reasonably quick and carry loads of stuff.
What is the T5-R like on petrol? That'll become more of an issue if i use it a lot.

For a start: officially it is T-5R, with the dash between the T and the 5

You'll get shot on the dutch 850 forum

hihihi

Don't expect any turbo to be economic. And I don't know the MPG rate but my '02 2.4 AT V70 likes to have around 10 liters per 100km. It all depends on the weight of your foot. But I don't think al T4 will be much more economic on fuel.

The phase I 2.0T is perfect, it is the extra power of the T4 which will let the car go like iceskating when full throtteld. That is the difference with the PhII, they can handle the power.

bbf · Post by **bbf** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 8:57 pm

I drive an '98 S40 T4 now and must say it's a nice car. Done 3000km now. Consumption around 10l/100km on motorways (doing arround 180kmh) or 13 in city, 11-12 combined, at 227kkm on clock.
PhI needs a sober head when driving. But once you catch it, it's more fun than 480! (i never believed i could say that;)

Murf · Post by **Murf** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 9:16 pm

Well, i just won this on fleabay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWNX:IT

Its 4 hours drive away so it better be as described! Looking forward to driving it, looks very nice. Decided to go for the S40 instead of the V40 as i prefer the look of the saloon and it should still be big enough if i take the wheels off my bikes

VolvoMafia · Post by **VolvoMafia** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 6:41 am

Congrats! Looks like a nice car for a very good price! I'm sure you will like the 2.0T engine.

In the boot of the S40 there is the same space as under the bagagecover of a V40. The opening is smaller though.

Wish you all the best with your new car

ted clutch · Post by **ted clutch** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 5:35 pm

what is the mileage

dragon · Post by **dragon** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 6:03 pm

Bit late here, but you'll remember from one of the Glasgow meets that I indeed has a V40 T4 (Y plate) and to be honest, it's the second best (most fun) car I have ever owned (with of course my Mitsubushi killer V70 T5 coming first).

Handling was superb, turbo was very responsive and fast as f***

People at the Wales meet will remember the T4 racing a certaibn Mr Pearson in his lowered, tweaked 480T and the T4 keeping up easilly even through the twisties

Only got rid because Turbo seals were going and that was looking expensive, otherwise would still have it.

barnsleyGT · Post by **barnsleyGT** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 6:22 pm

ive also been looking at v40's too murf.
ive been struggling with the space in the 480, but it passed its mot and i cant seem to part with it. so ive put off my search for the time being. the one you've bought is very close to me, i hope its a good one for you. let us know