Swedish cars Volvo S40, V50, C30 and C70 were produced from 2003 to 2013, the class is the same as the Ford Focus or Mazda 3. They even use the same platform. How much more reliable Volvo cars than other competitors, we now find out. S40 - sedan, V50 - wagon, C30 and C70 - coupe. Volvo's body is clearly more reliable than competitors with the same platform. The hood is made of aluminum, does not corrode, and indeed, the body is coated with electroplated coating on both sides, so it is well preserved even on the oldest cars. The paintwork does not become cloudy, does not peel off and does not rub, as in the Mazda 3 or Ford Focus. Now on the market you can find cars with 10 years of age and mileage over 200,000 km., But in good condition for adequate money. On such cars, the body is usually always in good condition.

Body electronics also in the car a lot, it can suffer from dampness. Buttons on the console may stop working after 12 years of operation. To make the buttons work, sometimes it’s just enough to clean the contacts.

Salon looks quite good even after many years of operation. Plastic looks good, the skin also looks bearable for a long time. Squeaks appear only after 10 years of operation. It happens that over time the immobilizer does not recognize the key, and the ignition lock can also wear out, the starter will not always turn. The new ignition will cost about 170 euros. Also, there are cases that the windows begin to twitch, electric seats can act up.

Dampness afraid of the window control unit, which is located inside the door. Electromechanical modules of door locks can also fail on older cars that were released before 2007. The drainage of the hatch can be clogged, then it will not be very pleasant, because the upholstery will be damaged, and there may be problems with the wiring, so you need to follow this.

If suddenly the lights, the instrument panel or the lights in the cabin start to act up, it means that it is necessary to check the condition of the CEM unit board, sometimes it is enough just to clean it and make a seal from moisture. But it is better not to hesitate and immediately correct the situation, because the whole car can shut off. The new CEM unit costs around 800 euros.

In general, there are many various minor problems, in most cases it all depends on who was the owner of this car. It happens that the wiring harness of the lock actuator is broken, it also happens that the trunk stops closing. There are cases that after 100 000 km. mileage fails Bosch gasoline pump, which is installed in the gas tank. To change the fuel pump will have to remove the tank, and the new pump costs about 250 euros. But lately, craftsmen have learned to install cheap VAZ fuel pumps in Volvo. You also need to monitor the radiator fan, because if moisture or salt gets on it, it will quickly fail.

Engines

In the basic configurations is the engine with a volume of 1.6 liters, this is the engine B 4164 S3 (Duratec 1.6), it must periodically change the timing belt. The same engine was developed back in 1998 for the Ford Focus 1st generation. For the Volvo S40, this motor goes without phase shifters, therefore, it is considered very reliable. But he also has some minor problems. It happens that the ignition modules or some sensors fail. Also it is necessary once every 120,000 km. manually adjust the gaps in the valves. But in general, if the motor does not specifically torment, then it can serve its 300,000 km. very easy.

There are also motors with a chain - these are engines with a volume of 1.8 and 2.0 liters that run on gasoline. These engines are installed on about 15 and 17% of cars, respectively, made in Mazda, they have the same design, the chain can withstand about 220 000 km. run These engines can serve even more than the 1.6 engine. Mileage 350 000 km. - not the limit. But it also happens that there are minor problems with motors.

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For example, rather weak bearings of the rollers of the belt mounted implements, it often happens that they already require replacement after 80,000 km. And to 100 000 km. mileage may be damaged thermostat, so while driving, it is desirable to monitor the temperature of the coolant. The new thermostat costs about 35 euros. It happens that the engine begins to float at idle, when moving it jerks or starts up badly, this means that it is time to replace the ignition coils, and the ignition wires can be changed. It also happens that after 120,000 km. run due to wear of the right hydraulic support, the motor begins to tremble. New such hydraulic support costs about 100 euros.

It also happens that the throttle unit is contaminated, so it is advisable to clean it every 50,000 km. Because such a new unit costs 250 euros. The fact that the time has come to do the cleaning will say floating engine revolutions, and if you run this business altogether, then the throttle can wedge at all. If suddenly after 3000 revolutions the thrust engine starts to disappear, and the check engine light comes on, it means that the intake manifold flap control valve, which costs about 80 euros, should be changed.

After replacing the spark, it is advisable to check if there is oil in the candle wells, if there is, then the valve cover has weakened, it must be tightened, and if this does not help, then the gasket must be changed. But the most popular engines are the Swedish engines B 5244 with a volume of 2.4 liters, they are installed on 40% of cars. These engines consume a lot of gasoline - about 13 liters per 100 km. run on the city. But on the other hand, these motors serve for a long time thanks to a proven design. 500,000 km run - for these engines - not the limit. But to change the spark in this engine - it is necessary to remove the intake manifold. There are also turbocharged engines, there are few of them - about 2%, the volume is 2.5 liters, they serve 350,000 km each.

Sometimes there are times when about 100 000 km. when a whistle appears from under the hood, this is not a reason to panic, you need to check what the matter is - unscrew the oil filler cap or pull out the oil dipstick. If the noise has disappeared, it means that the rubber membrane in the crankcase ventilation system is leaky. The whole unit will be quite expensive to change - 150 euros, but now many craftsmen can change the membrane alone.

And on turbocharged engines with a 2.5-liter engine, thin tubes of the crankcase ventilation system are easily clogged, so it’s best not to tighten the oil change and change it every 7-10 thousand km. Even with time, the vacuum pump may be noisy, because the control valve has failed. The new vacuum pump costs 350 euros, and the control valve assembly with connections costs 100 euros. It also happens that phase shifter couplings start flowing after 90,000 km, but this should be immediately eliminated, because the oil will immediately fall on the timing belt, and it will quickly wear out. Therefore, if there are traces of oil on the casing, it is necessary to immediately sound the alarm so as not to have to overhaul the engine ahead of time. It is also desirable during maintenance, every 15,000 km. change and drive belts mounted implements.

Diesel engines are rarely found in the Volvo S40, because officially there were no cars with diesel engines. If they brought a car from Europe, then they may have a diesel engine. Diesels are D 416 with a volume of 1.6 liters and 2-liter D 4204, they are quite reliable, made by the concern PSA Peugeot Citroen. There is also its own Swedish 5-cylinder D 5244 T, it was developed by Volvo and was first installed in the S80 in 2001. But this engine requires clean diesel fuel, and every 50,000 km. requires cleaning of the swirl flap unit. You should also periodically clean the crankcase ventilation system. From the city’s drive, the particulate filter starts to get clogged up by about 100,000 km. and exhaust gas recirculation system. The electric drive of the boost pressure regulator is still weak here; its replacement will require 150 euros.

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On cars produced before 2008 with Swedish engines automatic transmissions were installed. This five-speed box Aisin-Warner ¬AW55-51SN 2000 was not particularly reliable on cars Volvo XC90 and Volvo S60. And in the Volvo S40, V50, C30 and C70 an upgraded version of this box was installed. In 2004, it was finalized, a more reliable hydraulic unit was installed. On S40 cars, this box is long enough, if you do not kill it - about 250,000 km. After this run, it is enough to simply change the worn glands, friction clutches, solenoids and bushings.

In 2010, a new 6-speed automatic transmission Aisin-Warner TF-80SD appeared. This box was first created in 2003, but by 2010, hydraulics had been upgraded in this box. Every 70,000 km. in these boxes it is necessary to change the transmission oil, then they will serve for a long time without jerks when changing gears.

There is also a 6-speed preselekte - Ford's Getrag 6DCT450, it was installed on the post-styled Volvo S40 and V50 in 2007, these cars have a 2-liter gasoline engine. At first, the warranty changed the electronic control units of the automatic transmission. Oil and filter should be changed more often - once in 45 000 km. It is possible earlier that the solenoid valves and the hydraulic unit do not have time to clog, if they become clogged, then the robot box will start to twitch and wear out faster. And already to 150 000 km. will fail.

There are also manual transmissions M65 and M66 from Getrag, they also come complete with 5-cylinder engines from Volvo. Mechanical boxes are also very reliable, the clutch only needs to be changed every 160,000 km. So that the dual-mass flywheel of the engine does not fail, because it is quite expensive - 1,000 euros.

In the trim with a motor of 1.6 from Ford is the French 5-speed manual iB5 from the company Bordeaux Transmission. This is quite old and not very successful gearbox, it was also installed in the Ford Fiesta. Already after 70 000 km. glands of drives begin to leak, and on cars after 2011 the seals were modified and these seals began to serve 2 times longer. But if you constantly load the box, it can not sustain the axis of the satellites in the differential. Repair will cost a lot of money - more than 1000 euros. After 100,000 km. there may be noise from the primary shaft bearing, so that it does not jam - it must be changed.

There is also a German five-speed MTX75 box from GFT. This box goes to the engines from Mazda (1.8 and 2.0). In this box, too, it is necessary to monitor the state of the glands, so that the oil level is always normal, because if it is not enough, the shafts and gear teeth will start to wear out faster. After 60,000 km. the run usually fails out of the release bearing, which must be replaced with the clutch cylinder. To replace the clutch will have to remove the box.

Suspension

In terms of reliability, the suspension is the same as in Ford and Mazda, does not have a special durability, but it does not break quickly. Volvo spare parts are a bit more expensive than Mazda or Ford. The rear shock absorbers are here with an auto body level system. They serve approximately 100,000 km. But when it comes time to replace - you have to pay 400 euros for each shock absorber. Therefore, very often, in order to save money, many owners simply install conventional shock absorbers, which cost 100 euros each, and you can also find an equivalent for 50 euros. Front shock absorbers cost about the same.

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After about 70,000 km. in the front suspension it is necessary to change the stabilizer and wheel bearings. Racks cost 30 euros for a company part, and you can take a non-original for 15 euros. To change the wheel bearings - you have to change the entire hub assembly for 200 euros. To save money, you can take the hub from Ford or Mazda, they are 3 times cheaper, and the design is no different. You should also remember that the bearing is very well protected from dirt, so if possible, it is better to avoid deep puddles.

Approximately 80,000 km. serve as front levers, usually silent blocks used to fail, each lever assembly with a ball bearing costs 150 euros. But in general, the rear multi-link suspension is reliable and serves for a long time, it is necessary to do repairs in it not earlier than after 140 000 km. Fully bust the rear suspension will cost about 600 euros. Silent units usually change with levers, but now on many services they can simply press a new silent block into old levers.

Steering

Steering traction and tips are at least 150 000 km. And on cars with a petrol engine 1.6 there is a power steering, it can go out standing and the rail itself too. The new rake is worth 1000 euros, but you can put a rake on Ford for 650 euros.

In general, the Volvo S40 has many identical problems, the same as in the Ford Focus or Mazda 3. But Volvo is still a more interesting car, with a stronger body and better trim. But the main advantage of Volvo over competitors is the 5-cylinder Swedish engine, which is really very reliable and serves for a long time. Volvo with a 2-liter engine will cost more than the Ford or Mazda in the same configuration about 60,000 rubles.

Riding the Volvo S40

If we consider the Volvo S40 with a 2.4-liter engine and with a capacity of ¬170 l. with., the car turned out pretty frisky, if you wish, you can get into a skid. Automatic transmission Aisin-Warner 5-speed switch quickly and clearly, makes a pleasant impression. The brakes are also good, the pedal is informative, ABS works early, if you need to brake in a corner on a slippery road, the electronics will clearly distribute the braking forces and the car does not deviate from the trajectory.

Atmospheric engines with 5 cylinders and a volume of 2.4 liters come in different capacities - 140 and 170 liters. with. Differences only in software, and the design itself is the same. Both engines equally do not like overheating. Therefore, once every 3 years it is advisable to clean the radiators. Be sure not to forget to change the timing belt according to the regulations - every 120,000 km., Because it will break a lot of money later during repair of the cylinder head. It is also necessary for the prevention of changing the oil separator of the oil crankcase ventilation system.

After 100,000 km. It is necessary to prepare for the repair of the generator, starter and air conditioning compressor. A quality aftermarket compressor will cost 26,000 rubles. For the automatic transmission to serve for a long time, you just need to change the oil every 60,000 km. It will need 12 liters. Sometimes it makes sense to buy cheaper parts from Ford and Mazda from the same platform. But not always, sometimes it happens that the original parts on the contrary are more expensive.

Further video review of the Volvo S40 2010: