The New V40

[james_tigerwoods]

I'm due a new company car in April and I'm trying to narrow down my list - The choices are, annoyingly, limited as I don't want to spend a truckload. One of the choices is the new V40 - Does anyone here have one or have experience of it to offer a view - how does it compare to a Golf for example (Space, economy, etc)?

Thanks

JTW

[solo2]

Car of the year nominee it seems

http://www.caroftheyear.org/candidates/Volvo/V40/2...

[ModernAndy]

james_tigerwoods said:

I'm due a new company car in April and I'm trying to narrow down my list - The choices are, annoyingly, limited as I don't want to spend a truckload. One of the choices is the new V40 - Does anyone here have one or have experience of it to offer a view - how does it compare to a Golf for example (Space, economy, etc)?

Thanks

JTW

Don't expect the same space as a Golf but most everything else is better in my opinion. Golf/A3, etc. are competent cars but the V40 has a lot more personality and exclusivity. The ride and handling are pretty good (closely related to Focus)

[james_tigerwoods]

ModernAndy said:

james_tigerwoods said:

I'm due a new company car in April and I'm trying to narrow down my list - The choices are, annoyingly, limited as I don't want to spend a truckload. One of the choices is the new V40 - Does anyone here have one or have experience of it to offer a view - how does it compare to a Golf for example (Space, economy, etc)?

Thanks

JTW

Don't expect the same space as a Golf but most everything else is better in my opinion. Golf/A3, etc. are competent cars but the V40 has a lot more personality and exclusivity. The ride and handling are pretty good (closely related to Focus)

I'm less concerned about space nowadays as my 1 year old should be out of his full sized pushchair soon. I shall book a test drive

[y2blade]

I look forward to hearing your thoughts after a test drive, decent looking car.
what engine variant would you go for?

[james_tigerwoods]

y2blade said:

I look forward to hearing your thoughts after a test drive, decent looking car.
what engine variant would you go for?

For tax, cost and economy reasons, I'll be looking at the D2 (115bhp) variant - I'll book a test, take some photos and report back

On my car list, the D2 is about £330 a month, D3 £384 and D4 £400....

[james_tigerwoods]

A test is being arranged and, hopefully, I'll find out on Monday when I can have it

I might even have my VW Golf back by then - it's been over 3 weeks in the garage (!)

I'm thinking black with 17s and maybe the sport pack with twin exhausts...

[ModernAndy]

james_tigerwoods said:

For tax, cost and economy reasons, I'll be looking at the D2 (115bhp) variant - I'll book a test, take some photos and report back

On my car list, the D2 is about £330 a month, D3 £384 and D4 £400....

I drove the D2, very good for a 1.6D. I take it you're leasing from looking at the costs?

[james_tigerwoods]

ModernAndy said:

james_tigerwoods said:

For tax, cost and economy reasons, I'll be looking at the D2 (115bhp) variant - I'll book a test, take some photos and report back

On my car list, the D2 is about £330 a month, D3 £384 and D4 £400....

I drove the D2, very good for a 1.6D. I take it you're leasing from looking at the costs?

How does it work with the 6spd box? And yes, company lease.

[ModernAndy]

It won't set the road alight but it's really good for a 1.6. Definitely better than a VW 1.6D. The 6 speed box works fine, didn't detect any issues and picked up speed okay.

[james_tigerwoods]

ModernAndy said:

It won't set the road alight but it's really good for a 1.6. Definitely better than a VW 1.6D. The 6 speed box works fine, didn't detect any issues and picked up speed okay.

Cheers - I've driven the 1.6 (105bhp) diesel and I have the 2.0 (140bhp) diesel which have 5 and 6sp respectively. I'll be interested to see how the Volvo 1.6 (115bhp) works with a 6.

If I like it, I will have to try to not over spec it

[james_tigerwoods]

Test drive booked for the 22nd until the 25th January

Now to arrange the new Golf and Toledo drives...

[5harp3y]

i test drove the golf 1.6 blue motion and the D2 back to back


ordered a D2 SE

specced it to the hilt and 5,000 miles in i'm still really happy with it.

feels small inside compared to the golf but that's due to the windscreen angle.

drives and rides really well (compared to my outgoing leon) even on 18s and sport suspension. i'm getting 58mpg day to day (field sales)

No concerns yet apart from the gearstick has stopped self-centering which volvo are sorting next week.

[james_tigerwoods]

5harp3y said:

i test drove the golf 1.6 blue motion and the D2 back to back

ordered a D2 SE

specced it to the hilt and 5,000 miles in i'm still really happy with it.

feels small inside compared to the golf but that's due to the windscreen angle.

drives and rides really well (compared to my outgoing leon) even on 18s and sport suspension. i'm getting 58mpg day to day (field sales)

No concerns yet apart from the gearstick has stopped self-centering which volvo are sorting next week.

I'm looking at a D2 SE - I've spec'd it (online) with Keyless Drive, External styling kit (twin exhaust), Metallic Black and 17s - No sports kit, I've had that before and on rural roads, it kills the ride... I'm tempted by the panoramic roof, but it's steep at £1000....

I'm half tempted to just order it

[Basil Hume]

I seriously looked into the V40 when going for my first work lease car a few months ago.

I was staggered at how low Volvo have managed to get the Co2 of their manual versions. In the end, this helped me get into a V60 2.4 D5 for a similar price to a Golf / A3 2.0 TDI (as this engine is only 119g or 120g in the S/V60).

The V40 is a great medium car, but do check the prices for the S/V60 if you can - the S60 in particular is very, very keenly priced.

[james_tigerwoods]

I'd not thought of the V60 - although, I'm not sure I want a larger car than the V40 as I'm happy with Golf-sized cars. Saying that, I'm looking at a Toledo too...

The V60 is, on our car list, pretty expensive, but the basic "Business edition" comes in at about £400 before specing it...

[y2blade]

james_tigerwoods said:

I'm looking at a D2 SE - I've spec'd it (online) with Keyless Drive, External styling kit (twin exhaust), Metallic Black and 17s - No sports kit, I've had that before and on rural roads, it kills the ride... I'm tempted by the panoramic roof, but it's steep at £1000....

I'm half tempted to just order it

Sounds good,test drive booked for 22nd you say?
I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

[james_tigerwoods]

y2blade said:

james_tigerwoods said:

I'm looking at a D2 SE - I've spec'd it (online) with Keyless Drive, External styling kit (twin exhaust), Metallic Black and 17s - No sports kit, I've had that before and on rural roads, it kills the ride... I'm tempted by the panoramic roof, but it's steep at £1000....

I'm half tempted to just order it

Sounds good,test drive booked for 22nd you say?
I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

4 day test drive - I shall let you know. I might try to wangle the Golf at the same time. Neighbours might not be amused though...

[james_tigerwoods]

5harp3y said:

i test drove the golf 1.6 blue motion and the D2 back to back


ordered a D2 SE

specced it to the hilt and 5,000 miles in i'm still really happy with it.

feels small inside compared to the golf but that's due to the windscreen angle.

drives and rides really well (compared to my outgoing leon) even on 18s and sport suspension. i'm getting 58mpg day to day (field sales)

No concerns yet apart from the gearstick has stopped self-centering which volvo are sorting next week.

Forgot to ask - what extras did you get and what's worth it?

[GhiaX]

Winter Illumination kit will give you Heated front seats, Heated widscreen, LED day running lights, Active-Bending headlights, Interior mood/theatre lighting (bit of a gimmick)and Headlamp cleaning. DAB radio might be worthwhile, PACOS & power child locks might also if you have young kids.

I don't think the Park Assist Pilot is warranted on a car this size, certainly by anyone who is a PH'er