[JayTeeC]

So I'm a complete N00B here.. been on AudiWorld for years, so I know forums, and know too well the joy (and pain) of being bitten by the mod bug. But I'm new to Volvo and Swedespeed. Just bought a 2005 XC90 V8 AWD, 7-pass, with every option. Love it! What a great vehicle. And a sleeper- I was considering the MDX, but they are a dime a dozen, and dont have as much class and presence as the XC90. VERY glad with my purchase.

So a few questions- first, is there a good new-guy FAQ posted anywhere for this model? A good write-up of what to look for, tips and tricks, etc? What are some of the accessories, and popular beginner mods (cheap, easy) to make it even better? Good source for parts and accessories? Looking for rubber floor mats, and need an interior trim piece replaced.

Also: what is the best source to get updated dvds for the nav? Found them new for $199; does anyone sell (cough) copies, or "pre-owned" discs? Mine are still 05.

Thanks
Justin

 

[Cabot]

Re: New to the forum... (JayTeeC)

Welcome to Swedespeed, Justin. I'm glad you're happy with your XC90. I love mine, too. As far as an FAQ on this model, I don't think there is one like for the R forum, but using the search function on this forum will give you many answers. Sometimes it takes a few tries using different selection (achieved instead of recent.)

MySwedishParts http://www.trademotion.com/spl...13784 is a good source of parts and accessories. I don't know of many popular mods, but I'm sure others will point them out. For the NAV, you can go through navteq's website or your dealership. I think they will be overpriced no matter where you look. The parts department at Boston Volvo http://www.bostonvolvo.com/hom....html has always been very helpful and are sometimes less pricey than other dealerships. The rubber floor mats are fantastic. In my opinion, they add good looks and utility to the interior, and they can hold lots of snow and water.

Enjoy your Volvo!

 

[DrPooley]

Re: New to the forum... (Cabot)

Ha, another former AudiWorld member here as well, just joined SS tonight. Traded my '00 A6 2.7T for an '07 XC90 V8 on May 30th. I looooooved my Audi, had it lowered with H&R Sport springs and Koni shocks, tinted windows, and the "fat Five" polished rims off the V8 model A6. I planned to keep that car forever and will always miss it, but family comes first and I needed something I could carry my family and Golden Retriever in all at once, and a sedan doesn't work.

For me one of the toughest things about the switch is how limited the aftermarket performance market is compared to Audi. I've only found one chip available for the V8 and it costs a fortune.

 

[JayTeeC]

Re: New to the forum... (DrPooley)

Thanks for posting! Thats another thing we'll miss from the AW community- POSTERS!! AW was a thriving community, never at a loss for opinion (for better or for worse...) but sometimes that seems lacking here... I think SS is probably the best Volvo forum out there, but even here I see tumbleweed blowing across the street sometimes; hear crickets chirping others... Never on AW! I recognize that part of it is the model forum (how many mod-crazed soccer moms out there in their XC90's cruising Swedespeed?). I still have my Audi- a 98 A4 1.8Tq, manual, sport pkge, upgraded turbo, custom exhaust, upsized brakes and wheels, suspension tweaks, short shifter... just a joy to drive. I've considered the 2.7T A6 as a possible next vehicle, but now thinking I'll hold out for the A5 2.0T in a year or two. If I could afford it, I'd get a Q7 for my wife. Until then, I dont think I could do any better than my 05 XC90 w/ the V8 (what a gem!), and all the goodies incl nav and dvd, for under 20K.

I saw there is a chip available, but I doubt it will do much if anything. Also recall its around $800? No thanks. BUT, I did order the IPD sway bar kit; set to install it this Friday. I'll be glad to post a write up for you, since I havent been able to find much on the topic. And I see you're in PA- if you're ever in central PA (Harrisburg area) you are welcome to drive it too, if you want to try 'em out. -Justin

 

[aintsheswede]

Re: New to the forum... (JayTeeC)

Just purchased IPD swaybars and endlinks myself. Having them put on Wednesday. Having IPD do it as I am just across the river from them. Read the installation instructions, decided it was a little more than I wanted to take on.

My son raves about them on his S70. Will post my impression about them!Cant wait to drive it after install.

 

[JDN34]

Re: New to the forum... (JayTeeC)

Welcome to SS, I'm also a former AW member. Sold my 05 allroad 2.7T and couldn't love anything else on the road besides Cayenne or XC90. Picked up at nice 07 V8 with everything last x'mas for cheap. It's been a blast ever since.

There isn't much to mod on the V8 beside Heico or Erst. Mostly cosmetic offering from those two company anyways. Personally, I would start by changing the tires (or tires/rims combo). It transfomed the ride and the handling tremedously since mine were on OE tires with 14K miles when I got it.

Please post the before/after comparison of the IPD sway bars. After my trip to the sunshince coast this weekend with all the mountain roads, they need to be ordered very soon.

aintsheswede: Maybe I'll just drive down and get them installed by IPD. Do you know how long it'll take to do the sway, endlinks and camber kits by IPD? I would like to make it a day trip and it'll be 3 hour one way for me.

 

[Asfalto]

Re: New to the forum... (JayTeeC)

Welcome JayTeeC!
Another AW member here, I still log on pretty often, sold my TT roadster (with GIAC chip, HR/Blistein, OEM bodykit) and got an 07 XC90 Sport but I still own an 02 A4 turbo, sport package, MT.
Very happy with XC90 sport, i did the front window tint and some silver bulbs and I think I may go with HR lowering kit/ipd camber kit.

 

[aintsheswede]

Re: New to the forum... (JDN34)

The are saying 3-4 hours, closer to 4. The endlinks are no big deal as the old ones come off anyway and they are just an easy to get to bolt on each end. But the rear sway especially takes some time. As I recall from the instructions, you have lots to take apart and drop part of the exhaust system to fish it through into place. Not hard with a lift but time consuming. Don't remember offhand what the front took to do.

So you could do it in a long day. Then have a nice long drive back to check them out!

They also were 15% off last monday - wednesday, but I checked the website last weekend and price was still showing that.

 

[aintsheswede]

Re: New to the forum... (JDN34)

By the way JDN34, you drive really fast if you can make 320+ miles in 3 hours http://********************/smile/emthup.gif ! You know a secret way through Seattle/Tacoma traffic?

 

[JayTeeC]

Re:

Instruction pdf says 4 hrs, but i'd better double that for diy install, front and rear... Will def post my impressions after. Hope to install this wkend.

Love seeing all the AW alums here!

 

[aintsheswede]

Re: Re: (JayTeeC)

And let us know how the install went too!

 

[DrPooley]

Re: Re: (aintsheswede)

I laughed out loud as I started seeing others who were also on AW before. For whatever reason I've been scanning AW and the upstart QWorld nearly as much as I did when I had the Audi. I wasn't real thrilled with the break-up of AW. I could finally load it fast on my BlackBerry due to the new format, but then everyone left and went to QWorld. I use a 3rd party browser on my BB now to read QWorld and this site but never bothered to create a user profile on QWorld. One of the hardest things for me once I got the Volvo is adjusting to the limited info and owners forums (with constant activity) that I've gotten used to over the past 10+ years. I had a CRX in the late 90's and got really involved in the owners forums, then a 2000 Civic Si and moved to their owner sites, then VW Vortex for my GTI VR6 and then to AW for the previous 5 yrs for the A6.

Have to say any Volvo forums move at a glacial pace and you can skip a few days and not miss anything. A whole new world.

 

[aintsheswede]

Re: New to the forum... (JDN34)

JDN34, Had the install done today. Just a bit over 3.5 hours. The V8s are a bit more involved. And very tight fishing the bars in and around. They had to undo more than they expected on the rear. But, no problem. I would not want to attempt that job without full lift. Great place to do business though. Take a lot of time to explain everything. And answer any other questions with a lot of integrity and knowledge.

As for the results.. a whole different car. Now I will qualify that with the fact that it was only a 15 mile drive home mostly on freeway with a couple of quick stops at stores. But you can feel an significant difference just pulling into parking lots and making turns in city driving. Did take a couple of on/off ramps with tight 25mph posted curves at 50 just completely flat. Would take them close to that before, but a lot of lean. I wasn't even trying hard with the new bars (not that I am in anyway close to a professional driver!).

Steering in general is more precise, body roll gone, no effect in windy conditions, eliminated some suspension noise, probably from original endlinks. In short, just a joy to drive now. Like what it should have been from factory. http://********************/smile/emthup.gif http://********************/smile/emthup.gif

I say go for it, and let them install. Best mod you can do for the money. Should be first on your list.

 

[JayTeeC]

Re: New to the forum... (aintsheswede)

Sway Bars installed!!

Finished up the IPD sway bar kit installation on Monday, and finally had a chance for extensive test driving yesterday. What a difference! Very stable and composed in all kinds of corners, and weight-transfer scenarios like lane changes, evasive movements, and even turning into a parking lot. Previously, body roll was my only complaint about the XC- it goes thanks to the V8, stops thanks to large rotors and multi-piston calipers, and now it turns, thanks to IPD sway bars. Nice, solid, heavy units, in that cool Swede blue. Leaves just enough roll to feel comfortable and not at all go-kart-ish. Ride quality and compliance are unaffected (now wondering why Volvo didnt have larger OE bars??). Love it! These bars defy laws of inertia and the high center of gravity.

Stock body roll was so discomforting that I rarely got to the point of hearing the tires squeal in a turn. But now, cornering is so much flatter that I'm hearing the tires more (cornering harder), and now realize the tires are the next weak point. Eliminating one bottleneck always points out the next...

A few other points- This can be a DIY project for intermediate wrench-spinners- block out a whole day for front/rear, have a friend over, and have a second floor jack. I didnt take any pix of the procedure, but IPD instructions suffice. I'm glad to provide more specific tips to anyone considering it. Also, I did not replace the end links- mine are fine, but for the add'l cost/effort, you might as well.

 

[AccuView]

Re: New to the forum... (JayTeeC)

Any idea how much a typical shop would charge to install this?

 

[JayTeeC]

Re: New to the forum... (AccuView)

I'd guess around 400, give/take 100. Its about a 6 hour job for a pro on a lift, unless the shop has done it before, or specializes, and can do it quicker, but of course those shops will charge you more per hour... For DIY, its about 8 hours.

I have a friend who is a mechanic, and between jobs; came to my house and did it on jack stands in my garage in about 7. He's offered the same service to anyone in the area- PA/MD- for $200. Contact me if anyone is interested...

 

[aintsheswede]

Re: New to the forum... (JayTeeC)

$328 at IPD. 4 hours at $79/hr, plus $12 for shop supplies.

JayTeeC,
very good description of the difference they make. Much better than mine! You are right, should have been an OEM for that vehicle.

 

[JayTeeC]

Re: New to the forum... (aintsheswede)

Not bad... And 4 hours is impressive (of course, its their product, done probably hundreds of installs.. but still, 4 is crankin' it... ). Now, did you get a 4whl alignment done afterwards? I have an appt next week; cant help but think its not *absolutely* necessary...

As for my novella- I went in-depth for the searchers out there; habit from my Audiworld days. Actually, back then I would have posted pictures and instructions for DIYers. http://********************/smile/emthup.gif

 

[aintsheswede]

Re: New to the forum... (JayTeeC)

Actual wrenching time was closer to 3.5 hours. I got there about 1:10pm, and they were done by 4:45, and they didn' t get started for 10 or 15 minutes after I arrived. But yes, a lot of work. They said they hadn't done a lot of V8s. Apparently there is more to undo on them. Due to beefed up rear suspension, etc.

I don't know about alignment. I did have mine done immediately after (IPD doesn't do alignments, I think). But that had more to do with the fact I wasn't happy with the results of the last one I had about a month prior when I had new tires put on (Nokian WR G2s, stock size, and yes, I love them). I think the alignment was about where it was prior. But this place put it back in the middle of the range, whereas the place where I got the tires left it at one end of spec or the other as long as it was in spec. And I have to say even though in spec, getting back to center makes difference you can feel. Funny thing, though, both alignments done at Tire Factory stores. Just my guy here is pretty meticulous compared to the one where I got the tires put on. Actually takes the time to go over everthing with you after.

Have now had it aligned 3 times since Janurary when i purchased. It was significantly out the first time. But was surprised when I got the tires 4 months later that it was at the edge of specs at a few places. I am not an aggressive driver either.

But its good now. So, to answer your question, I don't know that the bar install changed anything. On the other hand, since they seem to drift out of alignment more than most cars, might not be a bad idea.

 

[JayTeeC]

Re: New to the forum... (aintsheswede)

Good info. I have a good alignment shop also, and will ask for middle of the specs. My alignment seemed fine before, and drives fine now. Only evidence something is off is the steering wheel is not exactly centered, but it drives straight.

I havent put tires on, and shouldnt have to for awhile (thankfully... $$$!!!) but on the other hand... would love the chance to swap from the OE Michelin HXMX tires. I'll make a note of your Nokian rec.

And I've been reading more about the front end clunks and groans, and spoke to a dealer who agreed the end links are the likely culprit. I'm still learning the "intricacies" of this vehicle... so I'm thinking they are next... Always something! Its a labor of love tho...