Glad you're loving it mate. I went for the D2, and though it's probably got nothing on that engine of yours, it's still more than double my old car in terms of BHP, and more than triple the torque. I think it's got more than enough power for British roads, and easily gets me up to 80 without any struggle at all. Any more power and as you say, it will become a licence burner.

Glad you're loving it though. I also missed the dipping reverse mirrors, which sucks. When did they get left out?!

 

Thanking you, not meaning to dis D2 and perfect for your case when you put it like that, I'm just so giddy (still)

Would you take me a pic of side of yours at the back as mine does seem to stand a little tall at the back with no sports pack

 

Loving my two week old v40 but do have a few issues!!

When leaning forward to get a better view at a t junction my head bangs into the sun visor.

Logo on seats removed, 3d gear stick gone, no r design foot plates under door ( which the v60 has), no logo on mats. The little 'premium' features I'd wish they'd of kept.

Poor power delivery in second gear, nothing up to 2500rpm then uncontrollable power thereafter! Quite a bit of turbo lag in most gears really!! D3 though, wish I'd have gone for the D4 as previously mentioned.

Having to turn on rain sensitive wipers every time I get in the car!! How ridiculous

Sat Nav is hard to understand at roundabouts and junctions and is easy to take a wrong turn, it's also to fiddley to operate when driving eg changing routes.

I can't import CDs into the HDD and it doesn't read USB very well!

Have to lift up the arm rest to gain access to the lumbar support knob.

I was in a v60 r design the other day and the seats are much more supportive and chunky! why they aren't in the v40 is beyond me!!

Overall it's a great car and by no means do these few small issues outweigh the good points.

Anyone agree/disagree?

 

..............

I was in a v60 r design the other day and the seats are much more supportive and chunky! why they aren't in the v40 is beyond me!!

...........

Its interesting you bring up the issue of the V60. We still haven't pulled the pin on a replacing our C30 T5 with a V40 mainly because we were waiting for the MY15 models in Australia with the new engines (they have become available for order just in the last couple of weeks here). A couple of months ago we had a test drive of the new D4 engine in the V60 and came away impressed with both the new engine/transmission and the V60. The 60 series Volvo's have the option of Volvo's new sports seat (standard on R-design spec) and yes they are brilliant and just that much better than the V40 seats.

We are looking at a fairly loaded V40CC. Don't know what the relative prices are like in other markets but here in Australia there's less than a $10k difference (probably ~15%) in a similarly equipped (and engined) V40CC and a V60. Add to this the speculation about a CC version of the V60 arriving early next year (apparently already confirmed for the US market) and we are beginning to rethink the V40 in favour of the slightly larger V60. Time will tell.

Tony

 

So even the lux nav doesn't have r design tread plates? And having to set the auto rain wipers every time is a little dumb, even if I always turn this feature off.

It states in the my volvo website under tips and tricks section for the V40 that pressing either left or right mirror on the door will dip the mirrors? This another bit of out of date info, like the fact my car went into production as it arrived in the UK?

Again not that I'm worried dipping mirrors freak me out, much like auto boxes, I still like to get involved in my driving by actually changing gear, activating my wipers and craning my neck a little to see. I still want these features though!

And the mats! It's bad enough the seats have lost the logo so are these mats cheaper or just lacking the logo, as the seats I saw were still the same quality just without the stitching.
The V40 is an expensive car when loaded, I desired them and that's why I bought it, not because I actually needed them.
Beginning to think I should of got the Golf GTD, hopefully that will change when I actually get it.

 

So even the lux nav doesn't have r design tread plates? And having to set the auto rain wipers every time is a little dumb, even if I always turn this feature off.

Again not that I'm worried dipping mirrors freak me out, much like auto boxes, I still like to get involved in my driving by actually changing gear, activating my wipers and craning my neck a little to see. I still want these features though!

And the mats! It's bad enough the seats have lost the logo so are these mats cheaper or just lacking the logo,
The V40 is an expensive car when loaded, I desired them and that's why I bought it, not because I actually needed them.
Beginning to think I should of got the Golf GTD, hopefully that will change when I actually get it.

Mats are complete pants, cheap thin unbranded rippled things, not a nice heavy tight knit pile I saw in the demo.

It is such a shame they have 'cheapened' the brand by removing the 'R-Design log on everything but the steering wheel, attention to detail is all what it's about in this market sector.

Auto wipers - yes dead right & poor (though kids had turned them back off)

Dipping mirrors - should be there !

ps, you did right not buying a golf though, the car is stunning, it's such a shame some nob head has been allowed to remove some of the cream which would have kept a brilliant car untouchable.

 

Not happy about the those little touches missing and being mislead, when pushed they admitted that the seat logos and gearstick had changed. Now cheaper mats and tread plates!
For me to find original spec gear knob, tread plates and matts will be over £500 at least. Little touches I know, but the VW Golf have really stepped it up with the latest generation and it was these little premium touches that swayed me, and when I pushed the dealers they informed me nothing else had changed.

So the dipping mirrors do not dip when you press the L/R button on the door?

 

So the dipping mirrors do not dip when you press the L/R button on the door?

I can find no options in the setting screen but I have not tried that yet - I will and report back.

Please do not miss read me - the car is astounding !

It's just Volvo have been so 'cheap' and degraded the experience by stripping off those items is such an under handed way, since as you, I was sold on the 'R-Design' concept throughout and quite simply it's now not there !

 

Dipping mirrors are only available in combination with electric controlled seats.

Rain sensor standard off right choice if you think about it..
You have to bear in mind Volvo Swedish car.
You do want you're wipers to wipe when they are frozen on you're wind in the winter.
And tearing them.. So there for the choice is right to have them standard off..

 

Well that clears that up thank you Michael

Very good (and correct) point re the wipers too !

I take it you have you had all the nice R branding stripped out of yours too over there ?

 

Edit: frozen on you're window

Indeed only thing is the stearing wheel and the startup/shutdown logo in you're dash.

 

 

I think this pic is my fave as whilst you cannot see the detail in the car it's silhouette shows perfectly how wide and squat the it's rear is

 

Jifen, I am liking your enthusiasm for your new car.

 

Ha ha sorry, am I being a tad obsessive - I love it!

I thought I had better make up for all those who run & hide as soon as they take delivery

 

Also nice silhouette

 

What road is that? Wasn't there traffic to worry about?

 

Jifen, could you please tell me which tires (brand, model and dimension) came with your car?

 

FWIW, my D2 came with Continental Sport Contact 5 225/145R17W

Mine are the same !

I don't usually like Conti but they seem very grippy thus far

 

FWIW, my D2 came with Continental Sport Contact 5 225/145R17W

 

Mine are the same !

I don't usually like Conti but they seem very grippy thus far

Thank you! Conti sc5 are best performance tires at the moment..

 

I've been driving my D4 R Design for a week now (1000 miles....). It is BLOODY BRILLIANT!!!! I don't care about embroidery on the seat, a bling gear-stick or sill tread plates, the engine makes up for any possible quibbles.

My last company car was a BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics and this is better by a country mile in pretty much every way.

 

Ha Ha Ha, I'm struggling to put my giddiness into words but it's nice to see someone who understands how just beyond words the torque is.

I was stuck in a 50 zone at weekend on M'way with a D2 about 5 cars infront, I was nearly peeing my pants with excitement and anticipation sat there in 5th waiting for it to end and make someones jaw drop... so much so I missed my exit in the middle of the roadworks and had to back track (so no fun after all) :blush:

 

Well it's good to hear the positives, and to be honest I was aware of the seats and gear knob before I made my final decision won over by a slightly better media unit and the D4, plus after a test drive in an Audi and a Golf (amongst many other wild card test drives) it just won me and the trouble n strife over.

I just felt like giving Volvo a call to find out there take on it, apparently it was customer feedback to remove the branding and gear knob. They promised to give my dealer a nudge, I've been happy with them so far although Volvo HQ blamed the dealer for not making me aware of the changes, even though I pointed out she did not know the changes even after claiming to have had 4 V40's and trying to assure me the gear knob has not changed! And not only did the dealer I purchased from neither did the other 5 dealers I contacted know the full changes.
Just hope she did not put my complaint on his shoulders as it was a dig at Volvo in general, little touches make for a premium package and I cannot believe that rdesign buyers wished to have rdesign branding removed!

Still it's just a very minor detail in the scheme of things.

Just wish my dealer would call or email I am fighting the urge to chase him myself right now, sick of the shonky battered old motors I am getting at the moment, today's drive is a 95 plate 4.2l Toyota landcruiser with 357.000 miles on the clock!

 

Continental's are ok for grip but that's because they are so soft hence they only last half the mileage of any other premium brand tyre.

Best tyres on the market Michelin Pilot Super Sport. :thumbup:

 

My 24hr review:dodgy:

That engine!

Let downs, matts deffinetly feel cheaper than I remember i will check sometime to see if it's my imagination. Same with the seats the leather panels just do not seem to be tight or as well put together, but they are comfy with lots of adjustments and i do suffer with a bad back and so far with one / hour journey no problems.

The steering really is not upto the class leaders but by no means bad.

The rattle!! I have a strange buzz in I think the headlining behind me, shutting the blind for the panoramic window damps it down, it's by no mean bad and only really noticeable on rough roads. With the radio on I cannot hear it but it is there.


The new gear lever (manual) is in my opinion an improment in ergonomics I prefer it.

The Sensus system is pretty good once you get used to it.

I'll give more feedback when I hit over 1000 miles.

I'll get more pics once I have given it a good clean.

 

Fantastic pictures and a beautiful car (remarkably similar to mine....)

 

Thank you - ARB too

Two weeks today after taking delivery.

Just love it more every day, this car really makes me smile !

Has any other new D4 owners noticed? - When trying a exuberant change from 1st to 2nd I cannot get a smooth power transition without a little 'hiccup'.

Initially I though it was that I was catching the turbo on wind down but this morning I watched the power meter in 1st and it seemed to drop off before getting up to the same rev limit as the other gears? So before my change the power simply drops like a stone and I think it's this which I'm catching.

Will have a play over the weekend and explain better but I'm wondering if they have put an earlier rev limit on 1st to protect the engine and it's this which gives the hiccup. It's not a problem with the car in any way I've just been wondering with such abundant power how I keep getting that little hiccup.

 

I had heard about some unusual behaviour in 1st can't remember the source though.
Mine I think does the same, I never try to be too exuberant in first using second and on to get it going, but on occasion had noticed a slight hiccup and a faint slap through the stick.

I also get the front suspension knock, particularly over sharp edge speed bumps, to me it just sounds like rapid rebound, or worn suspension bushings. I'm not to fussed about it as to my ears it's a satisfying clunk rather than an alarming knock, but I'll obviously monitor it.

I am loving it, there are flaws for sure, everything else though makes up for it. With the slight niggling details with quality, I always have to remind myself that similar spec and performance VW's and Audi's I looked at would of been nearly £100 a month more on a 3 year pcp.

 

Yes i'm still grinning too

Have noticed the exact same tiny jink to the left in 1st & 2nd, cant put a specific event to it and just taken it as a characteristic

but $hit it's so rapid

Might have actually preferred Dennis's firmer chassis on one occasion at the weekend, after a little heavy high speed braking the rebound was a little too pronounced for my liking - but no fuss, just unexpected

 

Ace - I take your point about the auto wipers not being "truly" auto - I thought the same about the feature in my C30 before I got my V40, but the reason is to prevent damage to the wipers if you enter a car wash and forget to deactivate!

Agree with you about the lack of any power in 2nd gear in the D2 engine below 2500rpm. But I think I can live with this given the car's excellent fuel economy. I am convinced this is by design for fuel efficiency reasons.

 

Cant wait for mine to arrive!
Still wanst aware of this litle touches being missing....

 

Yeah, looking through the R Design trim it still states 'R Design mats'........ :dodgy:

There's always eBay though.....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Mats-...gn-Logos-/221354939013?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3389c85285