V40 - D4 - Reliability

V40 - D4 - Reliability

Author
Discussion

gasguzzlingV8

Original Poster:

43 posts

200 months

Friday 1st January 2016
quotequote all
Hi All,

Thinking about buying a brand new Volvo V40, D4 and was wondering about the reliability.

Does anyone know of any issues or had any bad experiences with the V40 or the D3 / D4 engine spec?

Thanks

Chris






Axionknight

8,505 posts

142 months

Monday 4th January 2016
quotequote all
I had a D3 for eighteen months and 20,000 miles. The engine, despite some modern updates, is based on quite and old system such as the old 163bhp D5 engines found in the previous V70 and S80 models.

You shouldn't have any problems. I'd plump for the D4 if I were you, it's a good engine, one of the best diesels on the market IMO, powerful, reasonably smooth (in so far as a diesel can be), efficient and cheap to tax.

smile

anonymous-user

61 months

Tuesday 5th January 2016
quotequote all
Axionknight said:
I had a D3 for eighteen months and 20,000 miles. The engine, despite some modern updates, is based on quite and old system such as the old 163bhp D5 engines found in the previous V70 and S80 models.

You shouldn't have any problems. I'd plump for the D4 if I were you, it's a good engine, one of the best diesels on the market IMO, powerful, reasonably smooth (in so far as a diesel can be), efficient and cheap to tax.

smile
Not correct I'm afraid. A brand new one will come with the new 2.0 4 cylinder VEA engine. The D4 is very quick and very efficient, there have been some initial problems with the EGR cooler but at the moment I don't think they are known to be problematic.

Older models had 5 pot 2.0 D3 and D4 engines based on the D5 that were thirstier, had a 6 speed rather than 8 speed auto but made a much nicer noise!

fuchsiasteve

329 posts

213 months

Saturday 9th January 2016
quotequote all
Yes the D4 (190 bhp) twin turbo engine has a new design of injection (explains about in on honest John's website). As I understand the only issues to date relate to the egr valve which have been replaced on some which were faulty. Be warned though the mpg is nowhere near the claimed 67 mpg! I'm getting 40 mpg (combined mainly urban with some spirited driving) in winter now but it doesn't bother me as the car is superb !(the best I have owned to date). Does relaxed cruising or goes like the clappers when the mood takes you.

The auto box gets some slating but to be honest it's not that bad. It does fiddle about a bit sometimes at low speed when cold but seems to vanish when the car is warmed up. The D4 is so responsive though and is light years better to drive than the xc60 I had owned previous to it.

Look out for paddle shift option too. I wished mine had these and they can't be retro fitted I'm told. They were only a cheap option too to spec but with eight gears would be good.

Lucasdemoley

4 posts

139 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
My work colleague has a V40 D4, its about 8 months old. He took it in for the EGR replacement and now his MPG has significantly dropped from around 50mpg to about 38mpg. He has had it looked into but they are saying there isn't an issue, however it has clearly dropped since the repair.

Looking online, this seems to be a common problem with the new range of Volvo engines, and especially the D4 engines. It seems Volvo are looking to do a 'fix' in February, but personally I would try and stay clear until it is properly resolved. FYI, I am a bit gutted on this issue, as I wanted to order a V60 D4 myself in March, but may go elsewhere now as the dealer has been useless on this issue with my colleague.

burritoNinja

690 posts

107 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
I have the V40 Cross Country with the new 2.0L Diesel and it is very smooth. I do find that 1st gear into 2nd to be a tad slow. The clutch is a rather high set/slow to raise. Maybe that's because it is brand new?
Beyond those little niggles, it is a good car and cruises perfect. Very comfortable seats. You would never know it was a diesel.

simo1863

1,910 posts

135 months

Thursday 11th February 2016
quotequote all
We've just given back a V40 D4 (13 plate so the 180 PS one I think?)..... had been serviced regularly (no belt changes), only had standard wear and tear stuff done (disks, pads, tyres) on the maintenance report.

It's nearing 3 years old and has done a staggering 109k miles! I think that speaks for itself!

Clutch was riding a bit high but when raised with Lex they said that's common for V40s, estimated it had at least another 20-30k in it!

dreamcar

1,067 posts

118 months

Friday 3rd February 2017
quotequote all
Lucasdemoley said:
My work colleague has a V40 D4, its about 8 months old. He took it in for the EGR replacement and now his MPG has significantly dropped from around 50mpg to about 38mpg. He has had it looked into but they are saying there isn't an issue, however it has clearly dropped since the repair.

Looking online, this seems to be a common problem with the new range of Volvo engines, and especially the D4 engines. It seems Volvo are looking to do a 'fix' in February, but personally I would try and stay clear until it is properly resolved. FYI, I am a bit gutted on this issue, as I wanted to order a V60 D4 myself in March, but may go elsewhere now as the dealer has been useless on this issue with my colleague.
My Volvo V40 D4 "engine check" warning came on this morning. Car was new March 2016 and has covered 15,000 mainly motorway miles. Fed exclusively on Shell V Power diesel. Seriously unimpressed I have to say. I think I will punish it wish supermarket fuel!!

anonymous-user

61 months

Friday 3rd February 2017
quotequote all
dreamcar said:
My Volvo V40 D4 "engine check" warning came on this morning. Car was new March 2016 and has covered 15,000 mainly motorway miles. Fed exclusively on Shell V Power diesel. Seriously unimpressed I have to say. I think I will punish it wish supermarket fuel!!
Let us know what turns out to be the cause. Lots of grumbling on Volvo forums about EGR faults with VEA engines, which makes a change from their usual grumbling about their hemorrhoids, them forruners, and anyone who drives more than 40.

dreamcar

1,067 posts

118 months

Friday 3rd February 2017
quotequote all
dme123 said:
dreamcar said:
My Volvo V40 D4 "engine check" warning came on this morning. Car was new March 2016 and has covered 15,000 mainly motorway miles. Fed exclusively on Shell V Power diesel. Seriously unimpressed I have to say. I think I will punish it wish supermarket fuel!!
Let us know what turns out to be the cause. Lots of grumbling on Volvo forums about EGR faults with VEA engines, which makes a change from their usual grumbling about their hemorrhoids, them forruners, and anyone who drives more than 40.
Will do. Didn't specify hemerrhoids when I ordered the car so can't comment on them. Gave the pipe and pork pie hat a miss as well so clearly I'm not a typical Volvo owner. The service advisor does suspect an EGR fault, but will confirm in a few weeks time as I'm combining the fix with the annual service due at the end of February.

It's quite a disappointment as up until now I have been very happy with my V40, my first Volvo (I wasn't old enough to have one until now). I find it exceptionally comfortable and quite sprightly performance, not that I drive any faster than 40mph of course and for safety always stick to the middle lane on motorways.

anonymous-user

61 months

Saturday 4th February 2017
quotequote all
dreamcar said:
Will do. Didn't specify hemerrhoids when I ordered the car so can't comment on them. Gave the pipe and pork pie hat a miss as well so clearly I'm not a typical Volvo owner. The service advisor does suspect an EGR fault, but will confirm in a few weeks time as I'm combining the fix with the annual service due at the end of February.

It's quite a disappointment as up until now I have been very happy with my V40, my first Volvo (I wasn't old enough to have one until now). I find it exceptionally comfortable and quite sprightly performance, not that I drive any faster than 40mph of course and for safety always stick to the middle lane on motorways.
Don't worry, the last bastion of the old Volvo image seems to be the Volvo forums. Only go there if you absolutely must. They seem to want to keep the legacy of the DAF 300 series alive hehe

5harp3y

1,961 posts

206 months

Tuesday 7th February 2017
quotequote all
for some other options

ive now done 90,000 miles in my D2 V40 (62 reg)

no problems whatsoever with the engine / reliability and returning an average of 60mpg

dreamcar

1,067 posts

118 months

Saturday 25th February 2017
quotequote all
dme123 said:
Let us know what turns out to be the cause. Lots of grumbling on Volvo forums about EGR faults with VEA engines, which makes a change from their usual grumbling about their hemorrhoids, them forruners, and anyone who drives more than 40.
Had the EGR fault rectified now as an add on to the first service. EGR valve, condenser (cooler) and pipework all changed. Service advisor told me that part of the problem is that the cooler is over cooled causing build up of sludge. Re routed pipework means less cooling. I'm told that this is a permanent fix, so time will tell.

Next thing to decide is whether or not to spend £240 on having Volvo approved Roadhawk dashcam fitted.

demic

434 posts

168 months

Tuesday 28th February 2017
quotequote all
dreamcar said:
My Volvo V40 D4 "engine check" warning came on this morning. Car was new March 2016 and has covered 15,000 mainly motorway miles. Fed exclusively on Shell V Power diesel. Seriously unimpressed I have to say. I think I will punish it wish supermarket fuel!!
I've been running mine on V-Power in a hope of avoiding this happening. Might as well save a bit of money and use supermarket stuff.

anonymous-user

61 months

Wednesday 1st March 2017
quotequote all
demic said:
dreamcar said:
My Volvo V40 D4 "engine check" warning came on this morning. Car was new March 2016 and has covered 15,000 mainly motorway miles. Fed exclusively on Shell V Power diesel. Seriously unimpressed I have to say. I think I will punish it wish supermarket fuel!!
I've been running mine on V-Power in a hope of avoiding this happening. Might as well save a bit of money and use supermarket stuff.
The V-power might well help as the GTL derived component will cause a lot less smoke and soot. Shell don't tell you how much GTL fuel there is in it though, so it may be 1% and make absolutely no difference! Shell V-Power diesel is the one "premium" diesel that has the potential to actually be better, if there is enough GTL diesel in it to make a noticeable difference.

RS404

319 posts

209 months

Friday 3rd March 2017
quotequote all
5harp3y said:
for some other options

ive now done 90,000 miles in my D2 V40 (62 reg)

no problems whatsoever with the engine / reliability and returning an average of 60mpg
Do you find it a bit sluggish or is it ok? I've currently got a C30 D3 and thinking of getting the V40 D2 next.

dreamcar

1,067 posts

118 months

Friday 3rd March 2017
quotequote all
dme123 said:
The V-power might well help as the GTL derived component will cause a lot less smoke and soot. Shell don't tell you how much GTL fuel there is in it though, so it may be 1% and make absolutely no difference! Shell V-Power diesel is the one "premium" diesel that has the potential to actually be better, if there is enough GTL diesel in it to make a noticeable difference.
The car has had it's punishment of two tank full of vin ordinaire Shell diesel (it wasn't naughty enough to give it fuel poisoning with supermarket rubbish fuel), back on V Power diesel now. Overall a very good and supremely comfortable car, leagues better than the Skoda Octavia Mk. 3 that preceded it. Thinking about having a Dashcam fitted next., Volvo currently offering a hard wired Roadhawk DC-2 fully installed for £240, can't make my mind up whether to go for it or not.

Edited by dreamcar on Friday 3rd March 21:31

anonymous-user

61 months

Saturday 25th March 2017
quotequote all
RS404 said:
Do you find it a bit sluggish or is it ok? I've currently got a C30 D3 and thinking of getting the V40 D2 next.
The early D2 V40s used that crap PSA 1.6d engine that has caused endless trouble everywhere it's been used. Laters ones use a Volvo VEA engine, so be careful what you're buying.

dreamcar

1,067 posts

118 months

Wednesday 29th March 2017
quotequote all
RS404 said:
Do you find it a bit sluggish or is it ok? I've currently got a C30 D3 and thinking of getting the V40 D2 next.
The latest Volvo diesel is a great engine BUT the diesel recirc valve failure which has affected nearly every engine is an expensive fix (around £700). I'm told the latest fix should be permanent so make sure it's been done (by a Volvo dealer) or - and preferably also - you have a good warranty that covers this.

mx5cl

127 posts

146 months

Tuesday 11th April 2017
quotequote all
RS404 said:
5harp3y said:
for some other options

ive now done 90,000 miles in my D2 V40 (62 reg)

no problems whatsoever with the engine / reliability and returning an average of 60mpg
Do you find it a bit sluggish or is it ok? I've currently got a C30 D3 and thinking of getting the V40 D2 next.
I'd echo this, no problems whatsoever in both a D2 V40 i had until recently and the same engine in a ford focus that went before it. Wouldnt want the engine in a bigger car and the newer 2 litre unit 120hp unit has more torque. However for day to day driving and motorway work the 1.6 suits the car well.