"Volvo C40": advantages and disadvantages, reviews

Cars Volvo have always been associated with intelligence, serenity and consistency. And also concern for safety and extreme reliability. "Volvo C40" externally borrows certain features of the flagship C80, but it retains the appearance of a family sedan - quite affordable and reliable. Review C40 - later in this article.

History of the model

The car "Volvo C40" was first introduced in 1995, but at that time he wore the C4 index. Very soon it changed, because almost at the same time the company "Audi" began the production of a similar model with the same name. The first generation C40 was built on the same platform as the Mitsubishi Charisma, but the expected popularity at that time was not. Models in the body of the station wagon received the index V40. The first restyling model C40 was in 2004, the station wagon was renamed to V50, and the car itself became a soplatform with the well-known Ford Focus models of the second generation and Mazda 3, the first one. As a result, 60% of the details are interchangeable. Many people also call this model an expensive version of the "Ford Focus". Indeed, outwardly they are a bit similar in size, motors and consumer qualities.

Restyling in 2007

In 2007, Volvo completed the second restyling of the C40, after which the car became really popular. At that time the whole line of company models was updated, which were brought to a single corporate style. They all became similar in appearance, but each with its own, recognizable differences. On the Volvo S40 II, many elements have undergone modernization. This is an updated bumpers, grille, headlights. Behind the exhaust pipes were modified, and the lanterns received LED elements. In the interior of the car has also received many changes - the original design in the style of hi-tech has come to taste to many customers. What was worth only the flat ribbon of the center console! Other elements have also been modernized. So, in the active safety system, control over blind areas in the rear-view mirrors and adaptive headlight was added. Among innovations of passive safety in the car the strengthened skeleton of salon, better protecting passengers from traumas has been applied. In this form, the model existed on the conveyor belt until 2012, after which it was replaced by V40.

Basic engine

The main unit "Volvo C40" - four-cylinder engine 1.6, which was installed on the "Ford Focus 2". This is an old enough, proven engine. Its resource with timely and proper maintenance can reach 500 thousand kilometers. The drive timing on this drive belt, and it must be changed every 80 thousand kilometers. Attachments start to wear out and refuse to about 100 thousand. The problem of failure of equipment and frequent reduction of the life of the motor is as follows: the car itself is quite heavy, and in order to maintain an acceptable rate of movement, it is necessary to untwist the motor more, accordingly, it must be subjected to heavy loads.

The rest of the ruler

Next in the lead are engines with a volume of 1.8 and 2 liters (140 and 150 hp respectively). These engines are also installed on the "Ford" and "Mazda". The unit is very durable and unpretentious. The reserve of power is enough for a dynamic ride. The gas distributing mechanism has a chain drive and is practically eternal. Cars with such installations meet, unfortunately, seldom enough. The older engines are in-line five-cylinder engines. The unit capacity of 2.4 liters has a capacity of 170 liters. from. This engine, because of its unusual design, is quite expensive to maintain and has congenital ailments. The owners' comments mark the rapidly failing ignition system and crankcase ventilation. The oldest engine of the Volvo C40 is a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine with 220 horsepower. This power unit is also not popular in Russia due to the complexity and high cost of maintenance. Such cars were produced with front and all wheel drive.

Since 2007, the Volvo S40, whose impressive restyling, has received an engine in the Flexifuel version, which could work on a mixture of bioethanol and gasoline. Officially, such a motor was not supplied to Russia. Also "Volvo C40" were produced with diesel engines, however they are not popular in Russia due to the sensitivity of the fuel system to the quality of domestic diesel. In addition, the diesel "Volvo" and without it is quite expensive in maintenance. In the secondary market, he does not enjoy popularity.

Transmission "Volvo C40"

The engines were manned by mechanical and automatic gearboxes. Units of 1.6 and 1.8 liters are equipped with only "mechanics", and they were different in design. The option for a 125-horsepower engine was a reinforced design. Mechanical boxes are quite reliable, and there are no complaints against them. This is noted by the owners' feedback. Automatic boxes are also quite reliable and have proven themselves on other Volvo models. Their resource reaches 300 thousand kilometers, under condition of a regular oil change every 60 thousand kilometers. Otherwise, there is overheating of the clutches and the failure of the hydraulic unit - the most expensive and complex element of any automatic gearbox.

Chassis

Constructively the chassis is traditional for this class. Body - bearing, with front and rear subframe, front suspension - McPherson struts. Behind is a multi-link construction. The system constructively repeats that of the car "Ford Focus 2", and the details are unified. According to the owners, serious investments in such an assembly with a careful ride will be required only after one hundred thousand kilometers. The struts and hinges of the stabilizer, the silent blocks of the levers, the hub bearings are subject to replacement. On the "Volvo C40" was installed hydro or electric power steering, which may require intervention through the first 200 thousand kilometers.

Body

The company "Volvo" does not change itself in the traditions. Body parts of its cars are extremely durable. Corrosion simply does not take this metal. The reason is simple: Sweden is a country with a harsh climate, and resistance to weathering is simply necessary. The only exception is an emergency car. The presence of rust indicates that he was in an accident and restored not very high quality.

Volvo C40 in the secondary market

Cars of this brand have always been in demand both in the secondary market and among new units. The reason for this are the legendary components: reliability, durability, safety, comfort. All these components in any Volvo car are perfected. However, these pluses had to be paid, and significantly. It is possible to name the general lacks of all models of this brand: high cost of spare parts and service, low liquidity of the car in the secondary market. Repair Volvo S40 with a large mileage can well undermine the financial possibilities.

The prices for the car and spare parts

On the Volvo S40, the price will fall faster than similar cars of the same class. On average, the car of 2008 with the engine of 1.6 (the most popular) and with a mechanical box will cost from 430 to 660 thousand rubles. "Volvo" in 2012 with a 2 liter engine and automatic transmission will cost 650-750 thousand rubles. Spare parts (Volvo C40), like other foreign cars, are original and unoriginal. However, both are not distinguished by a low price. So, shock absorbers cost 5-6 thousand rubles, brake discs and pads - 3-5 thousand, windshield - from 5.5 to 23 thousand rubles. However, as already mentioned, serious repairs and investments will be required after a run of 100 thousand km.

Responses of owners about "Volvo"

Swedish cars have not too numerous, but a pronounced group of fans, including many of our motorists operate a Volvo C40 passenger car. Reviews of this machine are positioned as extremely reliable, durable and simply convenient. Among the merits of the car owners note the soft interior, the abundance of seat adjustments and their convenience, a variety of different electronic systems (depending on the equipment), simplifying operation and creating comfort. Also, the owners pay attention to smooth and economical operation of the engine and gearbox, quick warming up of the engine in the winter, strong paintwork and good noise insulation. In general, the whole car creates the impression of a solidly assembled and reliable product.

The minuses of the car

Among the disadvantages of the owners mention the already mentioned expensive spare parts of the Volvo S40, a small ground clearance and a harsh suspension. The salon is made very qualitatively, however in due course it starts to creak. But these crickets do not appear soon (after 10 years or more, which is very good).

Often note the unreliable operation of the power window in the driver's door and the freezing of the windshield wipers. But this happens only in severe frost and after washing. Not a single car is insured against this.

Conclusion

To summarize, we can say that the "Volvo C40" is an example of a reliable, solid and comfortable car. The machine perfectly fulfills its purpose and gives only positive emotions. The only thing that should be paid special attention is the body condition. Do not buy a Volvo, rebuilt after an accident. Even high-quality repairs can not guarantee such protection against corrosion, as the manufacturer.