I am new to the forum and new to Volvos. I am looking at a 2000 S40 1.8T with 86,xxx miles on it. It has had the coils, wires,timing belt, pulleys, and drive belt a year ago. The owner says the blinkers sometimes don't work and it rattles a bit mostly when idling. He wants $3000 for it, when do you guys think? What are some things I should look for?
Sorry about the sideways pictures

 

Personally I'd stay away from a 2000. They had many issues that were fixed with the 2001 model. That means that some things are unique to the 2000 model. Just my .02

 

I 2nd about the year as for $3000 you can have a 2001 without that nasty bent.Car seems to be riding high on the front IMO I would say the shocks are shot.

 

Well around here I can't find one that is in this price range with even close to this many miles. Saw it today, it was an old guys car till this guys wife bought it and she is a teacher and just drives it to school and back every day. Looking to get it for $2500, seems fare to me. I can fix just about anything on a car so I feel ok getting one with the possibility of problems in the future. Mainly wanting to know what I should look for as far as common expensive problems go.

 

Looks like they got the timing belt and pulleys (tensioner and idler). Did they replace the water pump while in there? It's run off the timing belt. A broken timing belt is a very bad thing as it's an interference engine. Looks like they also changed the coils and wires too so that shouldn't be an issue for many miles.

The 2000-2004.5 had many small issues. Soft brake rotors which will get a deep groove fairly quick. Headlights that burn out way too fast. Headlights that lose the shiny chrome on the plastic housing. Motor mounts that wear too fast. Strut mounts that wear out. Too much brake dust from stock pads. (Stops really well though). Fuel Pressure Regulator fails. Gas tank reads empty when you have over 5 gallons left. Idle Air Control motor fails. Batteries go bad quickly. Climate Control fan motor resistor fails.

I've replaced all the above on my 2001....and a few more things that were due like the fuel filter, air filter, cabin air filter. Not to mention the 8 bent valves from the slipped timing belt from a leaking CVVT gear.

 

Didn't think about the water pump, that will be an something to ask about. So looks like i am going to buy the car and transfer from my Bimmerforums to Volvo Forums. Sooo I can go ahead and start thinking, I have some cash to throw at this car now, what are the best mods for the S40? I would like to maybe reprogram the computer and maybe a set of newer Volvo wheels? What are popular mods?

 

Strad guy, your stepping in deep poop here, If you have extra cash seek a newer 40 series or 60 if you can find one. I have a 01 and it is in a constant state of CEL syndrome. I'm not kidding about the nickel and dimeing you to death here, this car will empty your wallet 250 bucks at a time. Not to mention special tools to do many of the maintenance and repair procedures. The stove is hot! The one guy above warned ya, I'm seconding that opinion. Get an O5 up or find a Hyundai. Peace

 

An illegal came and bought the car as I was pulling up to take my last look at it. So yet again I will not be a permanent member of Volvo Forums.