My Google fu is weak. I notice that in 2004 Volvo ramped up the S40 engine to a 2.4 which is huge jump and quite unusual. Is the 2004+ car different or simply high-powered?

For what it is worth I did search this question but with no success.

 

2004 is a split model year. The 4 cylinder is in the old style S40 and the 5 cylinder is the new style. Google a 2003 S40, that body is the old style. Google a 2005 S40, that is the new style (2004.5+)

 

Thanks EST. appreciated. The thing abut the internet is that a giant will look the same size as a pixie unless they are side by side. I honestly have no idea whether Volvo made the S40 larger after 2004 or simply enlarged the motor.

One reason for asking is because I'm so impressed with the 2000 S40 ST that I'm thinking perhaps foolishly, about buying a later S40 for my daughter.

And I have a third daughter too...

 

The car was totally redesigned. It's a little bigger, but I wouldn't say the difference is too big. I'm sure specs are somewhere on the net. Or go check them out locally.

 

Yep, the "gen 1" aka Neds car is a totally different platform. the Gen 2 is more closely related to the S60 than the gen 1 and moved up to the 5 cylinder with both NA and HPT designs. In the US market the gen 1s only came with the low pressure turbo (~160 HP) where the T4 high pressure turbo (~200 HP) was available outside the US. The Gen 2s (2004.5+) brought back the option for a T5 turbo engine, optional manual and AWD drive. About the only thing that bugs me about the gen 2s is that the console design is not condusive for after market stereos :-(

 

The 2004.5+ is a totally different platform than the P2 S60. There are some similarities with the P3 S60 though (2011+)

 

Much appreciated. I am in New Zealand and the T4 is the 200bhp model. Not that I've actually tried it out on the open road. It is a very new purchase and the local roads are heavily trafficked. The car is for my 21yr son and he has it now.

I guess the other questions, because I'm new to Volvo, are what are the reliability issues for the 1st gen S40?

Cheers
Winston

 

The 2000 was kind of a one-off year in suspension and other areas. Reliability in the 2000 - 2004 models seems to be quite universal though. Leaking VVT gear, soft brake rotors, headlights and tail lights burn out frequently, plastic is quite brittle. There are many more. The good thing is if you have a problem, somebody else has already had that same problem.