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Mrs Toastsmith’s Volvo S40


Marm Toastsmith

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3 hours ago, gadgetgricey said:

Knew I'd seen that somewhere before. 32K - £750. Sunroof, Air Con Leather.
Never looked in detail at the ad, but looks like a real bargain.
One make Car Forums for the win.

Actually, this came my way via a PM from absolute top shiter @Jollyfckr

I hadn't looked on the Volvo forums.

I took it to see the sea.

 

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1 minute ago, Marm Toastsmith said:

Thanks for noticing

Just in jest :)

It looks like a goodun. Hopefully plenty of years left in it. 

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I enjoyed driving this so much on the way home I almost couldn't hand the key over to Mrs T. It's made me realise I deserve something a bit nicer than the Micra, especially as currently I'm not commuting daily, so MPG is less of an issue.

I wonder if I'd like this:

https://www.gumtree.com/p/nissan/nissan-murano-automatic-/1460384359

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2 minutes ago, Marm Toastsmith said:

I enjoyed driving this so much on the way home I almost couldn't hand the key over to Mrs T. It's made me realise I deserve something a bit nicer than the Micra, especially as currently I'm not commuting daily, so MPG is less of an issue.

I wonder if I'd like this:

https://www.gumtree.com/p/nissan/nissan-murano-automatic-/1460384359

They looked utterly gopping on release but have aged quite well. Definitely screams 'American car'. They're pleasant enough to drive. 

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18 hours ago, Marm Toastsmith said:

Actually, this came my way via a PM from absolute top shiter @Jollyfckr

I hadn't looked on the Volvo forums.

I took it to see the sea.

 

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A nice view of the ness at Shaldon.

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  • 1 month later...

Well, not much to report other than this has been providing very pleasant transport. So far all I've really done is to wipe over the interior with a damp cloth and polish off a few of the giffer marks - both of which have improved it significantly.

I've found a local ex-Volvo mechanic (worked at a main dealer when these were current) who now works out of a back street garage. He's quoted a very reasonable figure to do the cam belt and was good to talk to on the phone - he drives an old 940.

 The car is so relaxing to drive that you really need to turn the stereo up to prevent falling asleep at the wheel. Unfortunately this has caused the original dried out foam surrounds on the front speakers to disintegrate - the previous owner favoured relaxing popular classics (CD changer was packed with the stuff) so Kendrick Lamar must have come as a shock to the speakers.

Replaced them today with a pair of Pioneers. I wouldn't say they are a massive upgrade over the Nokia originals but they do the job. I didn't bother swapping the tweeters as the originals are fine and seem well balanced with the Pioneers. Only challenge was the originals were glued in to the original mounting flange. Easily done once I'd worked out what was happening. I was quite pleased with the little adapters I made up which saved me having to chop off the original connectors... 

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  • Marm Toastsmith changed the title to Mrs Toastsmith’s Volvo S40

P reg must be quite an early one? We had our 52 reg V40 for 8 years. It was fabulously dull and dully fabulous. Incredibly unremarkable in every way you’d want a dependable car to be. Also did a great job of protecting the Mrs when she got rear ended by a distracted van driver giggety.

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On 6/20/2023 at 11:00 PM, Marm Toastsmith said:

I enjoyed driving this so much on the way home I almost couldn't hand the key over to Mrs T. It's made me realise I deserve something a bit nicer than the Micra, especially as currently I'm not commuting daily, so MPG is less of an issue.

I wonder if I'd like this:

https://www.gumtree.com/p/nissan/nissan-murano-automatic-/1460384359

I have a Murano and it's a fine bit of kit. Thirsty old girl and the road tax stings but it's quiet and comfy.

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1 hour ago, Marm Toastsmith said:

@Snake Charmer - This is broken (drivers side). I'm not sure whether I really need it, but...

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I will have a look later, I know my car has them but not sure on the other two.

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New wiper blades ✔️ 

Cleaned (and dried) out the boot, checked the spare wheel which is unused but with aged/soft rubber. Seems to have air in it so we'll say it's good enough. ✔️ 

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A small amount of water collected in our V40 spare wheel well whilst it stood 10 years or so, no visible signs of where it came from and none the last time I looked.

I checked the cars for wipers, ours has holes where I removed them when the bumper was removed and the other two have none. I bought new wipers for ours to refit, there may be some in the spares that came with the S40 but where they would be I don't know, sorry. 

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I think we can live without headlight wipers. Thanks for looking though! 

Re the boot, the car had been stood for some time before we got it and had signs of dampness in the cabin too. Since it’s been in regular use it’s been bone dry as far as I can tell. I’ll keep an eye on the boot but I’m not too concerned, I suspect it’s lack of use as much as anything. 

I have to say, it’s a superbly well-built car, seems properly solid in an old school Volvo way, but the interior trim, plastics etc. are much slicker and better screwed together than they were in my 940 or other early 90s Volvos I’ve spent time in.

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OK, the boot is leaking. Never mind.

On the plus side it was a brilliant car to take the family on holiday in and we clocked up a mileage landmark (33333) in beautiful North Cornwall.

Mods: could you move this to the main forum please?

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  • 1 month later...

Cam belt and water pump ✔️ 

Chuffed to have found a local one-man, back-street Volvo specialist to do the job.. Previous quote from trusted local garage who have recently been ruined by new management was "£500 - £600". At that money I'd have probably played roulette... Saying that, the old belt was cracked, genuine Volvo, very possibly original so glad I didn't!

He also noticed aux belt was tired, that's being done tomorrow. Otherwise he reckoned "give it some use".

Then I'll look into replacing the naff rear tyres (+ maybe swap round the OK fronts).

 

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I'd probably lean towards the Kumhos out of this lot, or maybe the Toyos? (interesting that the "all weather" Kumhos are rated lower than the Ecstas for wet grip...)

Probably see what's available locally 1st.

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3 hours ago, Marm Toastsmith said:

Cam belt and water pump ✔️ 

Chuffed to have found a local one-man, back-street Volvo specialist to do the job.. Previous quote from trusted local garage who have recently been ruined by new management was "£500 - £600". At that money I'd have probably played roulette... Saying that, the old belt was cracked, genuine Volvo, very possibly original so glad I didn't!

He also noticed aux belt was tired, that's being done tomorrow. Otherwise he reckoned "give it some use".

Then I'll look into replacing the naff rear tyres (+ maybe swap round the OK fronts).

 

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Very glad to see you've found someone decent locally at a very fair price. Even spending 5-600 would be worth it for reassurance and peace of mind if it's a keeper. A good low miler like this will serve you well for many years to come 

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Well worth getting that done for peace of mind alone. Timing belts often get ignored on low mileage cars. 

I bought a V-reg Rover 200 BRM on 29k a couple of years ago. It was on its original belt, presumably "because it isn't due until 60k". This was despite the car being over 20 years old!!! 

Got it done ASAP and immediately felt much more relaxed driving the car. 

 

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My phase 2 headlights were a real pain to rebuild. The silvering falls off really easily and the glass has an internal coating that has a mind of its own and fogs up then clears. 

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22 hours ago, Marm Toastsmith said:

Local tyre place comes up with these at reasonable ish money. Very possible that when I go in the selection and prices will be totally different.

 

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I've used Davanti a few times and had no issues with them 

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  • 1 month later...

Possibly another one for the parking thread… Wasn’t me driving but actually an easy mistake to make to be fair to Mrs T.

Waiting for Autoaid… Fingers crossed they can move it and it’s not totally fucking fucked.

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  • Marm Toastsmith changed the title to Mrs Toastsmith’s Volvo S40 LIVE disaster report

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