I am driving my fourth Volvo and sorry to say it will be my last. I am 86 years old and finding it difficult to drive long distance. Although I love Volvo, my biggest problem is finding s garage that will work on them. I used to go to a garage in Colonie, NY who are the best. Problem is, they are thirty miles away and require a tough drive for me through Albany. Those I find locally are closing left and right. The guy here in town who has been working on my C30 has been doing a great job but when I asked him to replace the timing belt, water pump, etc. he said "Oh I can't do that. I don't have the tools". Checking some other locals I got the same reply. Is a belt change really that difficult?
Is Volvo really a mechanical nightmare?
Mitch3
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I am driving my fourth Volvo and sorry to say it will be my last. I am 86 years old and finding it difficult to drive long distance. Although I love Volvo, my biggest problem is finding s garage that will work on them. I used to go to a garage in Colonie, NY who are the best. Problem is, they are thirty miles away and require a tough drive for me through Albany. Those I find locally are closing left and right. The guy here in town who has been working on my C30 has been doing a great job but when I asked him to replace the timing belt, water pump, etc. he said "Oh I can't do that. I don't have the tools". Checking some other locals I got the same reply. Is a belt change really that difficult?
2020 V90 Inscription T6 (all options except upgrade stereo and rear wheel air suspension)
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I'm not a mechanic, but from what I understand our Volvos sometimes do require some specialty tools, and mechanics with solid knowledge of the peculiarities of Volvos are in short supply. In addition, mechanics repairing our modern cars often have to rely on manufacture provided computer software to complete repairs. My guess is that the mechanics you spoke with have decided it's not worth it to invest in specialty tools and/or software, or may lack the knowledge to work on Volvo's most modern cars. I'm 70, but have the same thoughts/concerns you have about maintaining my V90. Right now, I can travel the 25 miles to my dealer and have my car needs addressed. Also, they provide a free loaner when needed. In the event my dealership's loaner car policy changes and/or I'm not able to easily make the trip, it will probably be time to get a different car/car brand, with it most likely being an EV, since they require less maintenance.
I've owned my factory ordered 2020 V90 for around 4 years and have tried to find a good indi shop that can work on Volvos, with little success. I live in NJ, where there are several Volvo dealerships within a 25-to-30 mile radius. I found a very good one, but it's around 40 miles away from my home, and I'd have to rent a car if I had to leave it at this shop.
If memory serves the main tool is to lock the cams while doing the belt change. Everything else, while tricky due to tight packaging, I think is doable with standard tools.
Honestly would not consider a P1 Volvo anywhere near "nightmare", particularly next to their other European compatriots. Have had little trouble keeping 3 P1 cars running out of my own home.
Honestly would not consider a P1 Volvo anywhere near "nightmare", particularly next to their other European compatriots. Have had little trouble keeping 3 P1 cars running out of my own home.
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I have owned 4 volvo's. 1998 S40 with 1.9t, 2005 S40, 2008 S60R, and 2011 C70. None gave me any problems but my current c70 has been a nightmare. From expensive timing belt replacement to new motor mounts and suspension bushings. My mechanic hates working on my cars, saying too difficult and complicated. and yes, expensive. spent thousands on the C70 and now need axles. holly crap that will be expensive as well. But I still love my car.
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This is very strange.
A Volvo's isn't anymore challenging to service than a late model Chevy Malibu.
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The timing belt job on a C30 does not require any special tools. Unless there is a need to lock the cams, for example if replacing cam seals, etc.
Mitch what engine is your car? I'm sure we can collectively help you out.
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I thought you'd be talking about one of the new cars... the C30 is as much a Ford as anything...(not the motor, but Ford did use it too) The tool for the timing belt is pretty cheap and he could add 100% of it to your bill and you'd probably not notice.
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I'd be willing to bet dollars to donuts that the shops in question simply don't want to work on OP's car.
Nothing personal, just the way it is.
🤷♂️
Nothing personal, just the way it is.
🤷♂️
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My friend, now neighbor is all Toyota. I know if I recommend a Volvo and he purchased it, I would be working on it. I don't want to and neither does he want to ask. Out of the 10 cars we have I don't ever go on a forum for the 2003 Honda Odyssey with 250K miles, the 2nd highest in the fleet. I even joined a VW forum for the 2020 Tiguan. Plenty to work out and discuss initially but haven't for over a year or so. As for the 2005 Lexus GS430 with the highest miles, a few glitches but otherwise okay. On the other hand... Volvo is almost cult like trapping one to constantly bow to it and take care of it 😬. Will take a bit to thin the herd for sure.
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I just got my V60 Polestar...I have done my own maintenance on my cars, as almost anytime I've let someone else do it they screwed it up somehow. There are limits to what I can do though, so there it goes to a dealership or good mechanic (depending on the issue). My Mazda hasn't seen a dealer or mechanic outside of recall work since I bought it, which feels like a minor miracle considering it's a top end sports sedan from 2007...it started consuming oil though, odds are a turbocharger swap was in its future (common issue with the car).
So, I'm going to be looking at what it takes to maintain these...if it's just fluid changes, serpentine belt, and brake pads every ten years plus a minor thing or two (power steering pumps) then it won't be any worse than my Mazda. But, I did seriously consider the 10 year maintenance plan the dealership offered when they said the annual maintenance visit was $1900...that seems pretty steep for an oil change and usual stuff. I need to dig into the manual to see what's being done at each of those visits to see if there's something big that's needed for these cars that's not in a more regular car.
So, I'm going to be looking at what it takes to maintain these...if it's just fluid changes, serpentine belt, and brake pads every ten years plus a minor thing or two (power steering pumps) then it won't be any worse than my Mazda. But, I did seriously consider the 10 year maintenance plan the dealership offered when they said the annual maintenance visit was $1900...that seems pretty steep for an oil change and usual stuff. I need to dig into the manual to see what's being done at each of those visits to see if there's something big that's needed for these cars that's not in a more regular car.
2020 V90 Inscription T6 (all options except upgrade stereo and rear wheel air suspension)
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@Keymaster, the $1900 annual maintenance cost doesn't make sense. At my dealer, the 4 yr/40k and 8yr/80k $850, 6 yr/60k is $708. Other yr/10k intervals are $375. Prices are inflated for the work done, but not close to $1600. However, ordinary things, like a full brake job, can get expensive, no doubt.
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Honestly, its just the way of new cars. Even my local guy couldn't diagnose the brake like on my Honda Odyssey because the brake system is still considered proprietary and requires honda software and equipment. Had to take it to the dealer and even they had to guess at a few things that might have been it. Its just new cars. Its why I can't wait to get my 65 mustang back on the road and driving it. I know every bolt on that car, and most have some of my blood on them.
New cars are just a royal PITA to work on. I won't even bother anymore on mine, at least not the modern ones.
New cars are just a royal PITA to work on. I won't even bother anymore on mine, at least not the modern ones.
I think most shops are intimidated by Volvos, or even a lot of European cars in general. They certainly are more complex than Japanese or domestic cars, but honestly, a mechanic worth his salt can figure it out. Especially a timing belt on a C30. It's not that hard, and if you aren't changing seals, you don't need to lock the cams. There is not much space, but it's totally doable.
It might also be that a particular shop doesn't want to touch it because they are unfamiliar with the cars, and/or they don't want to take on any liability in case something goes sideways. Some jobs do require a lot of special tools or procedures, so maybe as a general rule, those shops without familiarity with Volvo products would just generally refuse to work on them.
It might also be that a particular shop doesn't want to touch it because they are unfamiliar with the cars, and/or they don't want to take on any liability in case something goes sideways. Some jobs do require a lot of special tools or procedures, so maybe as a general rule, those shops without familiarity with Volvo products would just generally refuse to work on them.
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