[Mike w]

At the end of last month, the 4G Modem upgrade option for the 2016 XC90 was finally made widely available.

I called my dealership to let them know (they hadn’t heard yet), and they gave me a quote for the upgrade after some research.

They quoted me $1,699.54 for parts and labor before tax. Has anyone here gone through with this upgrade yet? Does this cost seem right?

I highly recommend the solution from Midcity Engineering and Drone Mobile (Volvo XC60 and XC90 Remote Start – SKSXC | Mid City Engineering Store.) It takes just a few minutes for any car electronics shop to install, and works perfectly -- door locks, remote start, everything as expected. In fact, I've found it to be substantially faster/more responsive than the Volvo On Call app was in starting the vehicle.

It also enables remote start via the fob as an added benefit -- three taps on the lock button, and that's it.

I've had this installed for about 18 months, after becoming impatient with Volvo's lack of communication. Again, highly recommended. About $400 all installed for me. Supposedly you can install it yourself, but I have a good shop nearby that I trusted more than I do myself.

I was looking for this as an answer but everyone was telling me you can’t do that with this car. If it was still under warranty I would say no. But not the case.
Thank you. I will check it out. Really need my car to be warm after getting off work. Mike

 

[neuerburg]

Here are the instructions to do it yourself in case anyone is wondering. You can always do it yourself then roll the dice and bitch to Volvo to add the 2yr on. They claim they can't do it but I know this is bull**** because I had my P3 extended by them.

You will need a VIDA sub at $75, the software is $20 or so I think. The parts kit is $700+ and I suspect now a good portion of that is the overly developed bracket that could have been solved with velcro.

Looking over the instructions, a good tech can R&R this in the 1.6hr they estimate. 4.4hrs that my stealership quotes is criminal.

I'm a bit confused about the parts required.

In post 3G to 4G Upgrade Part Numbers - SPA & P3 there are the following parts:

• VCM Hardware upgrade kit - 36003681
• PSIM - 8640806

But in your instruction manual the parts listed are:

• VCM (vehicle connectivity module) part number 36003589
• Mounting bracket part number: 31407244
• Adapter cable part number 32334843 (This is already in the car)

So which parts do I need? or is the instruction not a correct instruction?

I live in the Netherlands so getting the correct parts imported is costly. I'd rather not have the wrong ones.
Does anyone have a technical journal?

 

[apwagner]

Here are the instructions to do it yourself in case anyone is wondering. You can always do it yourself then roll the dice and bitch to Volvo to add the 2yr on. They claim they can't do it but I know this is bull**** because I had my P3 extended by them.

You will need a VIDA sub at $75, the software is $20 or so I think. The parts kit is $700+ and I suspect now a good portion of that is the overly developed bracket that could have been solved with velcro.

Looking over the instructions, a good tech can R&R this in the 1.6hr they estimate. 4.4hrs that my stealership quotes is criminal.

Thanks very much for this. Definitely seems like something I can handle in terms of the physical install. I just got a quote for this from my local dealership in Boston, MA and they said $2200 with a similar ~4 hr labor estimate. Seems completely nuts. Does anyone have a youtube video stepping through the process? The manual isn't the easiest to follow if you've never worked on a Volvo before. I was also wondering how you purchase the software and install it if you're a lay person. What is the interface to update the vehicle's firmware, a laptop and USB cable? Thanks again for your help, this is all very useful.

 

[meinstei]

Thanks very much for this. Definitely seems like something I can handle in terms of the physical install. I just got a quote for this from my local dealership in Boston, MA and they said $2200 with a similar ~4 hr labor estimate. Seems completely nuts. Does anyone have a youtube video stepping through the process? The manual isn't the easiest to follow if you've never worked on a Volvo before. I was also wondering how you purchase the software and install it if you're a lay person. What is the interface to update the vehicle's firmware, a laptop and USB cable? Thanks again for your help, this is all very useful.

That price is VERY HIGH!
I just got this done at a Volvo dealer out in the Berkshires.
Their initial price for parts and labor was about $1,500. I then pushed them on the high price, and they gave me a 15% "courtesy discount" (I'm a long time customer with them and we are long time Volvo owners), which brought it down to about $1,250...
In addition, I did a "chat" with Volvo Corporate Customer Service and complained about the price, and they quickly sent me a special "Rebate form" that is good for 20% off (to a max of $200 discount) for an "Accessory Purchase", which this qualifies for.. I just had to complete the form and include a copy of my invoice. I just mailed that in and they said I should get a "check" in a few weeks.
So after the dealer discount and the Rebate from Volvo, this brought it down to just about $1,000.
Plus if you do it through the dealer, they throw in a 2-year extension to your Volvo On Call, which is worth ANOTHER $400 (On Call goes for $200/year).
So, after the Volvo On call extension, this brought the whole cost of the upgrade down to about $600 after all the rebates, discounts, and the Volvo On Call extension.
Still not crazy about spending $600 for an upgrade they should have done for free, but MUCH better then the initial $1,500 "sticker shock" I had.
And your Boston dealer is RIPPPING YOU.. $2,500 is nuts..
I would call around other local Volvo dealers.. I would push for a fully discounted price of about $1,200 for the parts and install.. then go get your extra $200 from Volvo and you are in better shape..
And make sure you get the 2-year On Call extension!
Good luck!
Michael

 

[VolvoXC90Inscription]

Thank you for sharing this. When I called the Volvo Customer Service, they said they cannot do anything. I will call them again.

 

[Gary-16-Xc90]

Thank you for sharing this. When I called the Volvo Customer Service, they said they cannot do anything. I will call them again.

Just ask Volvo for a parts rebate to help offset an expensive install. A 15-30% rebate off of parts up to $200 is pretty routine, especially if you explain that the dealer is attempting to charge you $2200.

Volvo Customer Care would not likely get involved with local labor and labor rates, but they might contact the dealer to better align with the original Volvo estimate.

A local Volvo Indy is another option although you may not receive the 2-year complimentary VOC subscription extension.

Lastly, you could try to engage the dealer's sales manager or general manager to work with Service especially if you are a longer term Volvo customer or a relatively new customer.

Sent from my BE2028 using Tapatalk

 

[meinstei]

Thank you for sharing this. When I called the Volvo Customer Service, they said they cannot do anything. I will call them again.

I used the "chat" feature
I always go with the "friendly but firm" approach..
If the person you chat with doesn't seem to know what to do or seems clueless, ask for their manager, or just try again to see if you get someone else on the "chat" the knows what to do.
Make sure they Email you the form.. it has to have your "customer number" filled-in on it.. this is to stop people from just making copies of a "blank" form and posting it on the internet.

 

[Tech]

Just keep complaining until you get what you want. That's the way these days.

 

[HappyMom]

I received an email from Volvo on 1/5/23 encouraging me to schedule an appointment for the new 4G modem for my 2016 XC90 T8. The price is $835.98 excluding tax and labor. Per my dealer in San Diego the total cost would be approximately $1,500.

 

[Frikeando]

I received an email from Volvo on 1/5/23 encouraging me to schedule an appointment for the new 4G modem for my 2016 XC90 T8. The price is $835.98 excluding tax and labor. Per my dealer in San Diego the total cost would be approximately $1,500.

I also got the email. Will the discount they give you by chat work to lower this price?

 

[pammywilmeth]

At the end of last month, the 4G Modem upgrade option for the 2016 XC90 was finally made widely available. I called my dealership to let them know (they hadn’t heard yet), and they gave me a quote for the upgrade after some research. They quoted me $1,699.54 for parts and labor before tax. Has anyone here gone through with this upgrade yet? Does this cost seem right?

My dealer says it’s still not available. Would love to find one

 

[pammywilmeth]

Just did. Same part cost, but only about $150 labor. Fishy.

Where did you find it?

 

[PelvicSorcerer]

Where did you find it?

The two dealers I talked to were in Tulsa and Little Rock. The second one told me, at the the time, that there was only one modem left “in the country”.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[rgorbie]

We just got it installed a couple weeks ago, still can't get it activated and haven't called On-Call or Volvo yet for assistance. The app just doesn't seem to get it done. Ours was $1300 part and labor in Denver.