Welcome to Autodrivel

Many people put Volvo on a pedestal, but many do not know that the Volvo story culminates with the Volvo S40 I. When you say Volvo, you have to think of this Volvo.

Volvo S40 I, Volvo V40 and the Volvo 850. These are the legendary Volvos that everyone worships when they say Volvo is #1. It's here that Volvo was truly at the top of the game, but many still live in nostalgia and in the past. Like those people who are still proud of the fact that we were the world's first manufacturing city. Or the people who complain that today's youth are broccoli heads and at they like to sit on a bench and criticise people for being w anchors, even if they too when they were of their age they were equally w anchors. It's the same with Volvo. Volvo S40 I was the last Volvo get-beget, after which it jumped from owner to owner like diseases from ass to hand.

The story begins in 1995 with the Volvo S40 I and Volvo V40, the successors of the classic 440 which was itself the compact version of the legendary 850. Initially it was supposed to be called Volvo S4, respectively V4 with the S from "Saloon" and the V from "Vendetta". The problem was that Audi had already released the S4 model and they were not amused by the fact that Volvo wanted to use the nameplate and were even willing to sue them. And since Volvo at the time bough under license the 2.5 TDI engine from VW for its own 850, they decided to give up the S4 and that's how the Volvo S40 I appeared.

Built in the Netherlands at a time when Volvo was still independent but not full of goodies, the Volvo S40 I was the Dutch's attempt to take on the BMW 3 Series and enter the area of ​​compact saloon with more momentum than Zinnedine Zidane's head took momentum when it hit Materazzi's chest. And like any average car manufacturer, although the Volvo S40 I sold more than 1 million units, Volvo had to turn to collaborations and the S40 was built on the shared platform with Mitsubishi Carisma and Mitsubishi Space Star, and the diesel engines are of Renault origin. But those diesels were put rather so that you could not say that there was no diesel avaiable, because in 1995 there was not so much emphasis on diesel.

So we move on to the main party piece of the Volvo S40 I. We have an incredibly reliable car even today, with petrol engines but which also have turbochargers, and you have those glorious Volvo brand seats. If you ignore the anemic 1.6 naturally aspirated entry-level petrol engine, the fun on the Volvo S40 I starts at 140 horsepower and ends at around 200 horsepower, which for the late 90s were serious numbers. Fudge it, some engines are still relevant today on the performance side. And honestly, this would be the reason why a Volvo S40 I is worth it, because if you want something that will take you from A to B, this car is probably not for you.

Volvo S40 I Engines

Petrol

• 1.6 B4164S of 105 horsepower - The entry level engine, for entry level needs. As basic method of transportation here and there, it's an ok engine. It has no specific issues, you just have to change the oil on time and you are on track. Although I don't really see why you would buy an S40 with this engine, unless you know nothing about cars and have found some bargain somewhere.


• 1.8 B4184S2 of 115 and 125 horsepower - I wouldn't bother with this engine because it can either be an Volvo engine or it can be an Mitsubishi engine, the famous GDI. I have talked extensively about this engine, but the point is that it suffers from carbon deposits and the intake manifold must be cleaned annually..I mean anally...I mean anually....I mean every year.. But I think that anal is also correct in this context. In fact, anal is correct in any context. In any case, I wouldn't get into this engine because, just like when you kiss a girl you met 5 minutes ago, you don't know exactly what you're getting.


• 1.9 Turbo B4194T of 197 horsepower - We are already in the area of ​​fun engines. This engine was available between 1997 and 1999, so the chances of finding it are lower than the chances that said girl will do anything more than a kiss. And when you find it, replace its spark plugs and coilpacks. And in rare cases, you also have to change the oil pump.


• 2.0 B4204S of 140 horsepower – Launched in 1990, the B4204S engine represents the genesis of modular engines, which were built up until 2016. Just like the 1.6 petrol engine, it is an engine rather from the duller side of life, and if you want to have a full-frat party experience engine, you have to go to the next level. In any case, it's not a performance engine but it's suited more for gently driving around.


• 2.0 Turbo B4204T of 160, 163, 172 and 200 horsepower - Arriving with the facelift of 2000 to take your money and your clothes when you step on the gas, this engine represents the glory of Volvo that everyone sings about. Great care was taken to change the timing chain and in this way you are only left with the appetite for coilpacks and general issues on the ignition side. But hey, when you have 160+ horsepower, it doesn't even matter anymore.

Diesel

1.9D D4192T of 90, 95, 102 and 115 horsepower – The 90 horsepower is an antique Renault unit, code name F8Q, the predecessor of F9Q used by Renault in the early 2000s. The rest are all Renault engines but slightly adapted by Mitsubishi. Very reliable (except the EGR) but incredibly slow and the diesel consumption is not low enough to justify the purchase over a naturally aspirated 1.6 petrol. Maybe only the 115 horsepower version would be worth the hassle, but that's about it.

Volvo S40 I Reliability Issues

• The Volvo S40 I has an increased appetite for light bulbs, so it is recommended to have a bag of light bulbs with you at all times. But at least you don't have to carry oil with you like in VW. Or spare ECUs like with Vauxhall. Or spare engines like with BMW.


• Central locking will give you constant headaches, if you care about central locking. After all, it's a 500 pounds Volvo, it's not a popular car among thieves.


• The Volvo S40 I comes from an era where petrol was worth as much as my bachelor's degree, so expect gas mileage that only 200 horsepower find acceptable. But the engines are LPG friendly, if you for some reason decide to keep it mid-long term.


• To make matters worse, the Volvo S40 comes with multi-link suspension and MacPherson shock absorbers so you can enjoy all 200 horsepower. Obviously, with a 100 horsepower version, it doesn't even matter what type of suspension it is, but if you want to drive fast, you can do it in bends as well. Only this suspension comes with a price. Literally.

Volvo S40 I Verdict

A car from another era, which we will not see soon. We have multi-point suspension. We have 150-200 horsepower engines. We have 8 standard airbags. We have those Volvo delicious armchairs. Basically, if you want a car for enthusiasts, a petrol Volvo S40 I is exactly what you need. And if you buy a lazy diesel, at least you have a safe and comfortable car.

Which engines do I recommend? Clearly the 2.0 Turbocharged petrol and it's 200 horsepower are the best pick, but any petrol engine is fine really. And for the diesel, the 115 horsepower 1.9D diesel is the one to go with. All the diesels are barely moveable, so atleast pick the most muscular one. I guess.