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Re: Vibrations @55-80mph

Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2019 11:10 pm
by Kipper
I do wonder if this new one design chassis, (I can't remember it's proper name), is the cause of the issue by being very sensitive to components. Only time will tell I guess.

Mind you, if politicians had their way, we would all be on electric roller skates by the end of the decade. I sure things would be more sensible if we has a scientist or engineer amongst them. But there again....

Thanks for the update ELVO, it all helps.

Kipper

Re: Vibrations @55-80mph

Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2019 6:05 pm
by Elvo57
A quick update...

No update !

Saw the car go down (on the Volvo app) for it's re Road Force Balance of the suspect wheel on Thursday, but it has not moved since. Neither has anyone at the dealership moved to the phone to let me know what's happening.

No rush... it's only 56 weeks now... what's another day or two?

XC40 | First Edition | D4 AWD | Bursting Blue | 19" Continental Premium Contact 6 tyres | Ordered 14/03/18 | Delivered 11th October 2018 | UK.

Re: Vibrations @55-80mph

Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2019 6:09 pm
by DarrenF
Elvo57 wrote: Tue Nov 26, 2019 6:05 pm No rush... it's only 56 weeks now... what's another day or two?
I hope they have given you a loan car while they slowly look at the problem?

Re: Vibrations @55-80mph

Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2019 6:34 pm
by Elvo57
I think we have had at least 9 loan cars... but this the first one from Volvo UK (and not the local dealership).

I asked for an XC60 early days... to see if we could do an upgrade deal... but the one we had was a bit characterless compared to the XC40 FE... the 21" wheels and air suspension did nothing for the ride comfort either, also we instantly missed the folding flexible boot floor... so gave up on that direction. Saying that... it was a novelty to drive a car without the resonance problem. Actually the two V40's we had were without it too, but not suitable for our needs... and seemed a bit dated in many respects.

Maybe they will offer us a new XC40 Recharge... equivalent of 400HP... and all different (vibration-less?) drive train, I would hope?

XC40 | First Edition | D4 AWD | Bursting Blue | 19" Continental Premium Contact 6 tyres | Ordered 14/03/18 | Delivered 11th October 2018 | UK.

Re: Vibrations @55-80mph

Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2019 9:34 pm
by Kipper
Having announced the vibration had disappeared, a short journey today proved it was still there but at 65 not 55 mph. And all the way to 80 before I chicken out. It is reduced but is definitely still there. With cruise control on the vibration seems to vary in intensity from not there to quite noticeable. This seems to indicate to me that the vibration is actually an interference frequency of two or more rotating units spinning at slightly differing speeds coming into phase about every 20 - 30secs. Individually the amplitude is below a detectable level, but when they come into phase the the vibration is detectable.

Or I could be talking a load of b******.

My problem is the test track is the M55, not the best place. Now to pass o the good news to the garage.

I should have waited for the FWD model, I'm retired, I don't go out in the snow or off road, I don't need AWD.

Kipper

Re: Vibrations @55-80mph

Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2019 10:46 pm
by ChrisLF
Yes, I'm retired as well and also don't need or want AWD which is one of the reasons I came to the XC40 as I wanted a 2.0 litre petrol with FWD which I couldn't have with the VW Group.

I'm sensitive to vibrations and noises in cars as well and was happy to report previously, and still the case, that mine doesn't exhibit the problem, which is a relief as the intention is to keep the car for some years, particularly as I don't really want to get into the electric era.

The more I drive it the more I like it, it is so smooth and quiet and would be gutted if it did have a problem.

Only downside is that it makes the TT feel a little harsh and noisey!

I do hope that Volvo get to the bottom of the problem for those cars affected so that they can be enjoyed as they should.

Chris

Re: Vibrations @55-80mph

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2019 6:53 pm
by Kipper
Chris'

I can concur with those sentiments, the only reason I haven't refused the car is the fact the rest is as you say, smooth and quiet. Now I have got used the auto box, driving is so much more relaxed. Originally, I was going for the T3 manual, but I couldn't wait for the test car, so I gave the auto a go and within 100 yds I was smitten with the smoothness. So when I took delivery of the T4, I was surprised with the vibration which is why I am determined to get it fixed.

On the other hand a friend who had a BMW SUV said the engine was two powerful for front wheel drive and he suffered wheel spin, next time AWD. so maybe I was persuaded by that.

Serves me right for being impatient!

Kipper

Re: Vibrations @55-80mph

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2019 9:19 pm
by ChrisLF
The TT is front wheel drive and 211PS 2.0 petrol and if I give it some stick it can suffer from torque steer though I haven't had much of a problem with wheelspin. Most of the time I drive it fairly leisurely.

Same with the XC40, drive it fairly leisurely and went for the T4 to give me power in hand for relaxed driving and when 4 or 5 up rather than out and out performance and with the auto I haven't had any wheelspin. No doubt it could be provoked if booted, especially if in Dynamic or Manual but that's not what the car is about for me and don't think it is too powerful for FWD. I think it's a great combination.

Chris

Re: Vibrations @55-80mph

Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2019 11:34 pm
by Kipper
Good to know for the future. I have to say the other day I needed a bit of instant power to overtake, it was very comforting to know it was there when I needed it - smooth as well.

Kipper

Re: Vibrations @55-80mph

Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2019 7:58 pm
by Elvo57
Sorry guys, just some ramblings while I wait for the dealership to call!

Observations of my loan car experiences as compared to our R-Design D4 AWD and previous Skoda Yeti’s.

Both previous Yeti’s… diesel 170PS manual and diesel 150PS Auto DSG were AWD (on demand, unlike the XC40 permanent AWD). This decision was mainly due to being snowed in for three days in our (not so small) village on the edge of the Yorkshire Wolds.

On paper the XC40 D4 AWD should be doing better MPG than either Yeti which averaged 46 and 52 MPG respectively on any lengthy journey. But it averages 39MPG and I have only twice exceeded 50MPG (warm engine when journey started and at optimum road speeds) in over a years ownership. In comparison the D3 FWD ‘loaner’ was much better and 50MPG easily achieved (before you blame my driving style !).
The current T4 FWD is terrible MPG wise, especially when from cold and is averaging less than the D4 AWD at about 28-35MPG. The stop start function seems jerky on this engine too, where as on the D3 and D4 it is smooth enough to leave on without any problems at all.

Having driven AWD cars for some time, it is something you take for granted. It is only when you go back to FWD that you notice how sketchy it is some times when you have to say for example… cut across a dual carriageway to turn right in the wet.. when the wheels start to scrabble and the traction control kicks in.
Hence my XC40 choice was AWD and diesel to get some economy back. I prefer petrol but that was out of the question when used to 50MPG plus on the outgoing car.

The T4 is much quieter and more refined (apart from the stop/start) than the D4. But I think my choice would be the D3 (if I did not want AWD) which is again very quiet in comparison to the D4 but obviously down on performance, although it has good diesel torque to make up for this (and easily 50 MPG plus if you try a bit). The T3 FWD’s we’ve had were OK, but seemed to lack any sort of get up and go. Fine for town driving I suppose? All the engine variants only showed up their bad points when accelerating (mainly from rest) and were almost equally as quiet when on the move.

The Volvo 8 speed auto gearbox is miles ahead of the 6 speed Yeti DSG we had… which was jerky at low speeds and always seemed to be in too low a gear (only tried ‘sport’ setting once… even worse). Unfortunately both fall short of the silky smooth Mercedes 7 speed auto I had in the SLK. The Volvo manual boxes are fine but easily outperformed by the Yeti 6 speed manual we had in comparison. Saying that, I suppose I must remember that most loan cars were low mileage and engines and gearboxes could be said to be still ‘tight’.

Wheels and tyres… generally the 18” wheels are slightly quieter and the 20” wheels show up the bumps… perhaps feeling sportier but too much rubber contact leading to slight tram lining. Overall, I think our 19” option was a good choice for us on the R-Design chassis. Momentum cars on 18” wheels initially did feel to be smoother but the increased body roll and 'not so responsive' steering was a noticeable detriment.

Some shocking maths…

Average price of Diesel (North East) = £5.95 / gallon
64KWH Kia E-Nero assumed range (under estimated for easier maths at) 256 miles
This gives 4 miles / KWH consumed.
Price of off peak electric charging (Octopus Energy EV tariff) is 5p / KWH (yes 5p !)
So for the price of one gallon of diesel you can buy 119 KWH of electric (£5.95 divided by 5p =119)… but only at home on your own drive.. yes, I know!
Hence on 119KWH (with the E-Nero as an example) you can travel 476 miles (4miles / KWH).

Yes, that's 476miles for the price of one gallon of petrol.

Bit better than my 40 MPG! OUCH!

Food for thought !