Hello all,
i have read the forum about common problems... I like to buy a 2nd car. I came across a 2003 v40 95k miles. Sellers description below. I am test driving tomorrow. Shall I go for it? Is there any gotchas I need be aware of? Shall I be worried about the turbo?

thanks in advance


2003 Volvo S40. Turbo. $3,000 // 95,0000 miles. Great condition. Good gas mileage. 23 hwy. 30 fwy. Leather seats, 6 disc CD changer, sunroof, alloy rims, roof rack. Runs great. Comfortable. Safe! Reliable car. All maintenance and oil changes. 2nd owner. Clean car fax.

 

I had a 2002 S40 and just got my son a 2001 with 60K miles.

The engines and transmissions are pretty robust in these cars. The turbos hold up well. You do have to keep an eye out for the turbo oil return seal leaking.

Suspensions tend to be a weaker point but fixable. The strut mounts and lower control arm bushings usually go.

The car has low miles for its age. The timing belt should be replaced due to age even though low on miles.

I can vouch for their safety first hand. Mine got totaled on the DC beltway. I was at a dead stop in traffic and someone rear-ended be doing about 45. Completely smashed the trunk up to the rear glass and ripped the left rear tire off the car. The passenger compartment remained untouched, the crumple zone, high strength steel and WHIPS worked perfectly. I walked away without even a backache. I was so impressed that I bought another Volvo and the one for my son. Now I drive a 2005 Volvo V50. It is actually my 2nd V50. The first got totaled by a deer this past November. That car had 200K miles.

Hope this helps
Stan

 

agree on the suspension - I've replaced 3 out of 4 coil springs on my 2000 S40. I also find the rear brakes to be problematic (and they are they type that have the screw back piston). check to see if when/if the timing belt was done - should have been done at 10 years. Also motor mounts can go...so check for any clunks or engine movement.

 

The 2000 was bad for suspension. The 2001 and up had improvements. The rear brakes are not a problem if you have the right tool.

 

2001-2004s do indeed have an improved strut bushing but use the same springs as the 2000s. In my case the springs all broke about 3 inches from the end front and rear. The front springs are also very long and most death stick spring compressors are not long enough to handle.

 

I better check my son's S40. His seems to ride ok but I think the front sits too low for stock springs.