S40 Buyers' Guide

[JoshSpooner94]

I'm going to buy an S40 (from the 2004.5 on range, budget £4000), and I'm trying to find/establish a buyer's guide to the model. I've read about some common issues with them but often the sources don't say when the cars they talk about were made so it's proving tricky to get any reliable information, but they include:

- timing belt issues
- poor reliability on electrical items and optional extras
- diesel engine troubles
- DPF filters @ 72,000 miles

After considerable research, I've received mixed reviews on the overall reliability of S40s; does anyone have any opinions?

I've also come across a buyers' checklist on Volvo forums (http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=97923&highlight=s40+buyers+guide)but I can't seem to view it on any browser - does anybody have a copy of it or any additions/comments?

Lastly, looking at the engine options, I think probably a 1.6 or 1.6 diesel would be the one for me (I'm about to be 20 and insurance is still quite high for large engines!) but might be able to stretch to a 1.8 if it's thought to be considerably better. Any thoughts?

Essentially, I'm after collating any tips, advice, cheklists or guides to buying one of these.

Thanks very much in advance, any help would be massively appreciated as I've only ever run a '67 MG Midget before so a modern Volvo and the marque's idiosyncrasies are completely new to me.

Cheers guys,

Josh