Hi! I am considering purchasing a 2011 Volvo S40 T5. Because I want to make sure I get the one I want, I have a few questions. So here goes:

1 - Is the gauge cluster green/red? If so, is it replaceable? I know how dumb that sounds...but I'm in a 2003 Mountaineer and they are green/red and it drives me insane!!

2 - How can I be sure the model I'm looking at has the upgraded sound? Is it 10 or 12 speakers? Does that include the HD radio or is that standard/optional?

3 - The Bluetooth can play audio, correct?

4 - Does it REQUIRE premium fuel? Synthetic oil? If no, recommended or not necessary?


I have pretty much only owned vehicles made by Ford so I'm a little nervous about the idea of looking at a Volvo...But I want to be different. I want to stand out a little...Some people say they are super expensive to maintain but I can't imagine it being much more than my V8 Mountaineer for oil changes, gas fill-up and stuff...

I guess I'm hoping some 2011 S40 Volvo expert will come along and write a nice informative dissertation on this car. Any advice would be great, too. I want to make sure the one that I finally go with is EXACTLY what I want. I don't want to settle. AAAaaaannnddd..... GO!

 

1) What do you mean? The background of the dials? Lighting?

2) Get the Dynaudio system if available on the 2011 S40. It will say Dynaudio on the center dash speaker. Not sure about total speakers, I'm not a salesman.

3) I do not believe it can, but not 100% sure. The owner's manuals (available on volvocars.us) will have more info (as well as info on the audio systems).

4). Premium is not required. Synthetic is not required either. Premium is recommended to achieve optimal performance per Volvo, but running 87 won't damage anything.

And if you like Ford, that car has a ton of parts made by Ford.

 

The dash lighting is greenish.

The premium sound system will have a center speaker in the dash and likely say Dynaudio. The headunit has DolbyPrologic and a 6-disc changer. That system is 12 speakers (front doors are 3-way, rear doors are 2-way, center is 2-way) and there is an option for a sub that would make it 13. The performance sound system does not have the the center speaker grill in the dash and has 8 speakers (all door speakers are 2-way). I think the 6-disc changer is optional. The basic system has 6 speakers (front doors are 2-way, rears are 1-way).

Don't know about the BT.

The T5 certainly runs better on the premium fuel but can run on lower grade. Synthetic oil is not a must but I recommend using it since turbos tend to be hard on oil. Otherwise change the oil often.

I haven't had a problem with the car sharing Ford parts. In fact, it has been much more reliable than my purely Volvo V70 from '98 and my Nedcar Volvo/Mitsubishi S40 from '02. Personally, while I first bulked at the idea, I feel that Ford did much good for Volvo. The S40/V50/C30/C70 share the platform with the new (European) Ford Focus and the Mazda 3 series. Much of the suspensions are similar or identical but the rest is pretty much Volvo.
Stan