[George@Swedespeed]

I'm spending a week in a new S40 and have gotten to know it a bit better. The car is really a home run, but there are a few things that'd still be cool to add. A few are listed below. This poll is open, so feel free to add new choices but PLEASE CHECK TO MAKE SURE YOUR CHOICE ISN'T ALREADY ON THE LIST before adding another.

You can only vote once, so vote for the absolute most important to you.

 

[Volvo Grrrr]

Re: Swedespeed Poll: What Does the S40 Need? (George@Swedespeed)

*sigh* All good choices George. I can't just pick one!

I would reserve the Alcantara for the R models. But Satellite Radio, paddle shifters, Bluetooth and an audio input would all be great additions.

 

[GrecianVolvo]

Re: Swedespeed Poll: What Does the S40 Need? (Volvo Grrrr)

Bluetooth technology was my choice...

Yannis

 

[DrGonzo]

Re: Swedespeed Poll: What Does the S40 Need? (George@Swedespeed)

How about another Turbo.....?

 

[djlsharpe]

Given the current price of gas anS40 hybrid might be nice

 

[Peteman100]

How about 300 horsepower and a tuned suspension.... Why was that not on the list of choices??

 

[02_S80]

Re: Swedespeed Poll: What Does the S40 Need? (George@Swedespeed)

You say the car is a home run. Can you provide a bulleted list of your likes and what you think may need work?

What I like about the s40 is the safety, the styling is now updated and has a presence, the turning circle is down form the ridiculous circles in the bigger cars to a more manageable 35 feet but still well off of the 240s 32 feet, the handling has been tighted up, glad that Volvos 5's are being used. Also, car feels noticeably rigid in body structure. Seems the car has "feel", but it's mixed on how sporting it feels vs. Mazda 3, Jetta, TSX, TSL, Audi 4, etc.

What I'm concerned about is that I hear the sports suspension has a rigid, unyielding ride, the good news is that the nonsport suspension has a very comfortable and composed ride. What I'd like Volvo to figure out is to get the sports feel without making the car as stiff as a board. I live in the NorthEast with some battered roads (especially after rough winters) and a harsh suspension isn't welcome. I think the interior needs more colors and detail work. This is Phase 1 and it is a lot better than the previous gen's Phase 1. But I look forward to Phase 2 of the platform, where I feel dynamics and interior details will be improved.

 

[George@Swedespeed]

Re: Swedespeed Poll: What Does the S40 Need? (Benjamin Smith)

I've been in a sport suspension T-5 for a week or so, and I don't find it too rigid at all, even with 18-inch wheels. It's not a problem.

I drive plenty of cars through my job as a journalist, and I have to say that this T-5M S40 is one of the ones I've thought very seriously about owning. It's all-round a great package IMHO. It's more expensive than some of the competition, but size-wise it's more in line with cars like the Audi A4, while power and brakes are very good compared to others in this class.

 

[StephD]

Re: Swedespeed Poll: What Does the S40 Need? (Benjamin Smith)

I've been commuting in my T5 for 3 days now (sports suspension and 17-inch tires) and don't have any complaints about the ride being uncomfortable or being rigid. Maybe my opinion will change on longer drives...

This may seem silly, but I really wish there were more storage compartments. The glove box is set pretty far back, so it'd be nice to have a small change compartment or something with easier access.

 

[George@Swedespeed]

Re: Swedespeed Poll: What Does the S40 Need? (StephD)

I agree. The spot behind the console is useful, but I need a place to put my phone, and if you have a passenger, and two drinks, well, you're out of places for the phone. Now, if the car had integraged Bluetooth....

 

[02_S80]

Re: Swedespeed Poll: What Does the S40 Need? (StephD)

Quote, originally posted by StephD »

I've been commuting in my T5 for 3 days now (sports suspension and 17-inch tires) and don't have any complaints about the ride being uncomfortable or being rigid. Maybe my opinion will change on longer drives...

That's good news to hear. The complaints are coming from British mags testing the s40 and v50 with the sports suspensions. I can think of two things. One, the European car is tauter and more unyielding in damping. Two, the tires were at maximum pressure, this can make a car feel stiff and unyielding.

Actually I wonder if that's the case with Consumer Reports. They haven't met a Volvo they like and I find it curious that they would say the Volvo T6 is overly firm in ride, if anything I find it (relatively) softly sprung and moderatly damped for a performance car, and certainly softer sprung and damped than German cars. Maybe Volvo sends the cars out with the tires pumped up to make the handling seem tighter?

I think the real test is real people like you and George who have the car and drive it day in and day out and report back. The car mags are often inconsistent in judging cars, for awhile they loved everything BMW, now they don't have them top of the heap as often.

I may be interested in the car in a year or so for my wife. We're interested in the s40 T5, not sure to go 16, 17 or 18, probably go 16 due to costs and the condition of road surfaces we frequently drive on. Not sure about the sports suspension. We both like a firm car, but not a jarring one, and we find the ride of the 3 series, for example, with sports suspension, a bit jarring and prefer the nonsport for that car. We don't have a problem with the s60 T5 by comparison but found the outgoing s70 with sports suspension uncomfortable on rough surfaces. The current Volvos have improved ride considerably, I'm hoping the s40 hasn't reverted.

 

[A4 Tom]

Re: Swedespeed Poll: What Does the S40 Need? (George@Swedespeed)

From my experience of 4C technology on S80 AWD, it would work amazingly well on S40/V50's docile chassis.

 

[Evlhrb4]

Re: Swedespeed Poll: What Does the S40 Need? (George@Swedespeed)

It's not on the list, but it seems like a pull out shelf or flip down bin of some sort for the glove compartment would be nice. It's sort of deep and narrow and awkward as it is.

Integrated phone system for the US would be nice too.

 

[GoncaloP]

Re: Swedespeed Poll: What Does the S40 Need? (Evlhrb4)

I ve hit the R version, but I also think that a 4C mode for the T5 is a must, to be a true sporty model http://********************/smile/emthup.gif

 

[sarahbau]

Re: Swedespeed Poll: What Does the S40 Need? (George@Swedespeed)

I voted for the option to connect my iPod. I still can't believe I can't even connect it into the back (at least according to the guy in the shop at the Volvo dealer).

Since I don't actually have my S40 yet, I don't have too much time on the sport suspension with 17s, but from what I felt on the test drive, it wasn't nearly as bumpy as all the reviews make it out to be. The suspension was nice and tight, without being uncomfortable. With the aftermarket suspension on my current car, all the bumps in the road in NY make my car rattle almost constantly, and I have to slow down to about 5 mph to go over train tracks. With the S40 T5 with sport package, I crossed the same tracks comfortably at 40. The non-sport suspension was not tight enough for me.

 

[BCHan]

Re: Swedespeed Poll: What Does the S40 Need? (sarahbau)

Quote, originally posted by sarahbau »

I voted for the option to connect my iPod. I still can't believe I can't even connect it into the back (at least according to the guy in the shop at the Volvo dealer).

can't you just get the FM transmitter add-on (IIRC, some comes with the car-charger), switch to FM, and tune in to your ipod through the radio? maybe I'm missing something more fundamental with that request on the poll.

 

[sarahbau]

Re: Swedespeed Poll: What Does the S40 Need? (BCHan)

That's what I do now, but the sound quality isn't nearly good as it would be with a line-in, and in NY, most of the stations are used. I get static a lot of the time, and I get weird sounds when some cars drive by. I also get interference from my AC, power windows, and cell phone.

 

[BCHan]

Re: Swedespeed Poll: What Does the S40 Need? (sarahbau)

ah, that makes more sense now! (probably won't apply to me, but now I know why it's more important for some areas)

 

[Stark33]

Re: Swedespeed Poll: What Does the S40 Need? (sarahbau)

Quote, originally posted by sarahbau »

That's what I do now, but the sound quality isn't nearly good as it would be with a line-in, and in NY, most of the stations are used. I get static a lot of the time, and I get weird sounds when some cars drive by. I also get interference from my AC, power windows, and cell phone.

that's the same problem experienced in so cal. i've tried the belkin FM unit and returned it for a tape adapter. a buddy of mine bought the apple version and took it back as well.

 

[LUvikes29]

Re: Swedespeed Poll: What Does the S40 Need? (Stark33)

I'm throwing my vote in on the alcantara. 0 votes so far, but I think it would separate the S40 from the rest of the Volvo line up and help young people to see that this car is really built for us. Look at IS300, 330i w/ performance package, S4, etc.