My wife and I have been driving 240s for over 10 years, but now we are looking at a 2000 v40 wagon, since the 240s aren't getting any younger. I'm interested in any opinions, but would like to know how working on this series is for the driveway mechanic. Thanks.

I've owned my 2002 S40 since brand new it's now at 59,000mi. I do all my own work aside from tires. Currently have Bridgestone Turanzas that I am much happier with than the Michellins it came with.

The biggest job I've done on the car was transmission fluid flush @50,000mi. DO NOT BELIEVE that the fluid is a lifetime fill. The fluid stays very clear and red then turns dark very quickly around 50K. Fluid is cheap, transmissions are not. Use the correct stuff spec JWS3309.

Otherwise, it has all been routine maintenance done myself, not the dealer.

Couple of notes on the brakes. The OEM pads wear quickly and produce more dust than you would like. When the time comes, put a set of Mintex pads from fcpgroton.com on. Something like $25 rear set and $35 front set. Cheaper, cleaner, last longer, and stop exactly as well as the original pads. Also, rather than a special tool, I compressed my rear calipers with a 4 inch C-clamp.

Mileage varies greatly depending on how you drive, temperature, etc. Granted my S40 will get 1 or 2 mpg better than a V but I average 25-26mpg mixed driving. I can get easily mid-30's on the highway if I keep steady no more than 75mph and the temp is mild.

mormit
--
02 S40 , 98 V70 T5 Koni FSDs, IPD swaybars and HD Endlinks, 85 245DL 277,000mi V15cam It takes a licking and keeps on ticking

I've had SV40s as service loaners and I didn't think much of them.

I'd look for an 850 wagon or '98 V70 first. They are "real" station wagons. The '98s are the last Volvos with an actual throttle cable and are electronically similar to the 850s.

For anything newer I'd just get a Honda or Toyota SUV.

-BTC

'98 V70 T5 5-speed, 177k mi, heated velour cloth comfy chairs, factory HD suspension, Bilstein HD, front IPD stabilizer bar, Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate, XC grill, C70 jewel E-Codes, V-1, Lidatek, IPD stuff, JB Weld, Original Duck tape, zip-ties, two Honda license plate nut impressions in back bumper (gift from daughter), Mobil-1 since new.

"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair." - Douglas Noel Adams (1952 - 2001)

Never had one - only sat in one. Didn't like it. Seemed small, cheap and like over grown Ford escort.

I have had 2 245s and went to the 850. Big improvement although needs more maint then 240. Non-turbo easier to work on and better MPG. Also stay away from AWD as FWD works fine, even in snowy northeast. Now on my third 850 and son has 850 turbo. My manual tranny wagon got 30 MPG - better then my 245 wagons ever did!

If you can find 95-98 850 wagon or V70 I would put them well over v40.

Hi,
and greetings from european side.

The predecessor of 40series carried 440/460 id and originates from Daf.
My sister had 460 over several years, the 1.8i engine came from Renault and was not impressive nor economical with single point injection from Siemens.
Since 2004 she drives a 2002 V40 low milege but not one single problem,
normal service and one 5g transmission oil flush done.
The car has 2L 4cyl engine from Volvo with low pressure turbo, quite nice performance but not excellent mileage.
It's fun to drive but not very sizeble in front nor back compared to 850/70 series, which are also built a bit more solid and longer lasting in general.
The next generation 50series has also a variant having the 2.4L 5cyl engine bringing much more power for use and very popular here in scandinavia.
V50 2.4 is my in vife's eye next.

br Tapsa
2x 850 -94 w 220/260kkm + V70 -05 D5 40kkm

I'll first say that I've not driven one, let alone owned one. I've just been keeping my eyes peeled for them as a possible future replacement for my 850.

There's a little bit of information on Wikipedia, though it would seem to be very much geared towards the European model. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_V40

Click and Clack (Cartalk) seemed to like it: http://www.cartalk.com/content/testdrives/Reviews/volvo-v40-2000.html

Another review:
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/wagons/0104_volvo_v40/index.html

One thing I wasn't particularly impressed with is the fuel economy: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/16032.shtml

Perhaps there's an S/V40 owner or two who would give us some "real world" MPG numbers?

-Will
--
850 / Mini

I hope you don't want to carry much in the cargo area or back seat. It is pretty small. The V70 is the same length as your 240, it just rides lower.

2000 is one of the first years of the V40? I would have a hard time with that.

Klaus
--
The 164 has a new home, all I am left with are a 95 854T and a 98 V70R :)

2000 is first year S and V40, they were in Europe for several years before supposedly. Although I am not a driveway mechanic I do work on them regularily and they are not too bad to work on. Timing belts are a little tight to work on and the right side engine mount is different on the earlier cars but none of it is too difficult to get to. They went back to lug nuts on these cars but because of the wheel offset they tend to fall off when you shoot the nuts loose. They have problems with the brake vacuum pump and pump switches going bad in them. If you start the car when stone cold and the first few brake applications it feels like the car might not stop you will know what the problem is. Fuel pressure regulators are another thing that goes bad with them, they are right up on top and a piece of cake to replace. I have done one or two turbos on them, seen a tensioner come apart at about 106k and scatter the motor, ooooops! The rear brakes are of the type that you have to screw the piston back into the caliper on so you will need the special tool to do them, the tools are not that spendy. Aside from that stuff all of the usual maintenance stuff and fluid flushes apply. All in all not too bad of a car.

Mark

Original owner of a 2000 V40 and 95 855T here.

We've been pleased with both cars. We bought the V40 for the wife after looking at other nice small wagons (Audi, BMW, etc), it was the best of the bunch for our needs (room for 4 adults, leather, price, etc).
The V40 is the car we take clients/guests in.
The 850 is the Golden Retriever's limo.
I do the maintenance on the 850, tho the V40 has been under warranty.
We might have not been so pleased with the 40 if we hadn't also bought the extended warranty (6yr, 100K miles). It's paid for a lot of smallish repairs. Biggest of those was motor mounts replaced at 76K. Those went surprisingly early, I think. Additionally, wheel bearings started to go at about 80K. Unlike the 850, it's never had a leak in any system. Be prepared for brake pads that wear quickly, cover the wheels with dust, but stop the car quickly/noiselessly. The dash popout cupholder will break if you breathe on it ($75). Hood paint is thin and chips easily (continually touching-up is a PITA). The window controls were better arranged in later years. In fact, I might suggest a (US) V40 later than year '00, for the improvements made.
In any case, the car has performed well for us.
We get an overall average 23.5 mpg.
Be sure the car you're interested in has been well maintained (I'd insist on seeing receipts).

Don