Volvo Tuners in NoVA or DC area?

Theodore Ruxpin · May 13, 2002

I will soon be the proud new owner of a 2002 S60 AWD.I am looking to do some light mods and was wondering if anyone knew any real reputable shops in the NoVA/DC area. I am willing to pay a bit more for higher quality work. I looked on the Volvo site and they mentioned a OEM lowering kit. I asked the dealer and he had no clue what I was talking about, and said he doubts anyone would put one on a AWD. Will I have any mechanical problems if I can find a drop kit? I am looking for 1"-1.5" drop. I doubt this is a signicant enough drop to induce wheel rub, but I could be wrong.Any good local place that tints windows well? I am a self-proclaimed APOS (Anal-retentive Piece of Sh!t) so I can't deal with bubbles, misalignment or crappy installs. The application needs to be perfect. Also looking to order the MS Design Trunk lip spoiler from IPD, so I'll need a place to paint it. TIA. Any leads would be greatly appreciated.BTW, anyone go the cold air intake/exhaust route on their AWD? Have you noticed a difference?

Kai · May 14, 2002

Hey...congrat on the new car, it's nice to have another volvo enthusiasts around this area.There are few shops around your area that can do some work on your car. First shop came to mind is Curry's Auto...that is if you are only planning on doing some light mods. Not sure how experienced they are with Volvos when it comes to more extensive tuning.As for the lowering kit, I would double check with IPD first. They, especially Scott Hart, can point you to the right direction for that kinda stuff. I think SAM, Heico and BSR all have an exhaust system for you car already. Not sure if the AWD model will make any difference.I do know that the new V70 and the S60s already have some very good intake design unlike the older 70 series. I wouldn't mess around with that just yet. You probably wouldn't gain much from what you already have.I think I've asked you if you were going to be able to make it for the Carlisle event this weekend, but no response. If you get a chance to attend the show, you would get to meet all the guys around this area.Well, good luck on your project, don't forget to honk or wave if you see anyone of us with Swedespeed stickers on their windows. <IMG SRC="http://www.swedespeed.com/ubb/smile.gif">

Theodore Ruxpin · May 14, 2002

I had no idea there was a show...What and where is the Carlisle event?

GrecianVolvo · May 14, 2002

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by The_one_n_only: I think SAM, Heico and BSR all have an exhaust system for you car already. Not sure if the AWD model will make any difference. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I don't think it should be different as the exhaust tailpipe on all S60s is on the left side of the car no matter if it is FWD or AWD (unlike the older S/V70 design where the FWD had it on the left and the AWD on the right). And if you look underneath the car, it is evident that the exhaust system was designed with AWD in mind, not like in the older S/V70 design.Yannis

George@Swedespeed · May 14, 2002

On the show, check the Events & Gatherings forum. It's about 2hrs from DC, up in PA. There were about 50 Volvos last year, you can see the photos of the show in our Resources/Gallery section.On DC area shops, I have no practical experience with these shops but...Martin Motorsports - Alexandria, VAAutoSkandia - they sell IPD stuff I think. They're in NoVa. They own one of the IPD S70 project cars.Annapolis Volvo - if you are into the factory stuff, I have a friend at that dealership who can help.European Auto Repair (Silver Spring, MD) - one of our members VolvoRules (Rob) works there and does some installs on the weekends.

Vetteguy · May 14, 2002

Any event at Carlisle is a good one. Anyway, if you are near Baltimore, the premier tinting place is D&L Window Tinting on Pulaski Hwy in Whitemarsh. Been there for years, that's all they do. Great reputation.

deleonl1 · May 14, 2002

Where do you live?Check out Martin Motorsports:460A South Pickett Street Alexandria, VA 22314 703-823-9735Small independent shop that works on any cars, but specializes in Volvos and BMWs. I take my V70R there. The owner, Gary Martin, also has a person that does tinting at his shop.

Iceman · May 14, 2002

According to the report on the S60 AWD on this forum there was going to be a sport suspension offering from Volvo but it seems it doesn't exist. Maybe they changed their minds.Does anyone know why the AWD is higher than a regular S60? Is there ground clearance issues to do with the AWD?Pat

Theodore Ruxpin · May 14, 2002

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Iceman: According to the report on the S60 AWD on this forum there was going to be a sport suspension offering from Volvo but it seems it doesn't exist. Maybe they changed their minds.Does anyone know why the AWD is higher than a regular S60? Is there ground clearance issues to do with the AWD?Pat<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> On the official site they are both listed at the same height... (whoops I take it back, just read the first drive article on this site...) I'm just looking to make my AWD as sporting as possible since their is no OEM "sport package" for it. As I posted before, I asked the dealer about the OEM lowering kit but he was clueless.I don't think they S60 AWD is touted as an off-road vehicle like a WRX, so I don't see why they would raise the height. [This message has been edited by Theodore Ruxpin (edited 05-14-2002).]

RK · May 14, 2002

Anyone can recommend good tinting place in NoVa, preferably the western part of it? I have T5 in black saphire and would like to slightly tint the windows, but afraid to take it to regular shop because the car is so new and so beautiful..Raphael

GrecianVolvo · May 14, 2002

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Iceman: According to the report on the S60 AWD on this forum there was going to be a sport suspension offering from Volvo but it seems it doesn't exist. Maybe they changed their minds.Does anyone know why the AWD is higher than a regular S60? Is there ground clearance issues to do with the AWD?Pat<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> The S60 AWD is 0.6" higher on the front and 1.4" higher in the rear.Never heard of a "sport suspension" option for this model, from Volvo. Only S60 T-5s can get that upgrade.Yannis

Iceman · May 14, 2002

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by GrecianVolvo: The S60 AWD is 0.6" higher on the front and 1.4" higher in the rear.Never heard of a "sport suspension" option for this model, from Volvo. Only S60 T-5s can get that upgrade.Yannis <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Yannis, I haven't heard of one either but its reported in the article on this forum. Maybe it was part of some preliminary specs that didn't pan out.Do you happen to know why the AWD is jacked up? Is it because of clearance issues to do with the Haldex system? I'd love to lower it back to the normal S60 height but all the tuning sites say their shocks/springs are not for AWD versions.Pat

Johann · May 14, 2002

I think the front axle is the same as the FWD but the rear axle is different. If I look at the rear axle setup on my T5 there is no way to put a driveshaft in there so the spring and the shock have to be placed further to the back. Lowering the car should not be a problem but you have to find the correct springs. Maybe a coilover on the rear axle is an option?

Iceman · May 15, 2002

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Johann: Lowering the car should not be a problem but you have to find the correct springs. Maybe a coilover on the rear axle is an option?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Johann, I'm definitely considering coilovers as an option when I do get around to tuning the suspension.I'm going to have to get underneath it on my next service to see what's up with the increased ride height.Pat

Theodore Ruxpin · May 15, 2002

Along the same lines as "Why can't I do ______ with the S60 AWD?"I asked the dealer for a wheel swap because I really really wanted the Tethys rims (instead of the Thors I ordered) on the AWD. He was going to go ahead with the swap when their tech guy said that Volvo is not allowing the Tethys rims on the AWD due to a mechanical issue. Anyone know why this is? They are the same size wheel. Weight issue?I should find out eventually since the dealer put a call into Volvo to find out what the real answer is on why you can't get the Tethys rims on the AWD. Is this a total BS reason? I don't think the dealer is yanking my chain since we are very LOYAL customers to their dealership. This S60 AWD will be the fifth Volvo we bought from the same dealership, and to think we only get a $500 dollar rebate for customer loyalty...they should give me the S60 for free!ICEMAN, please do keep the board posted with all your mods, I'm in the same boat as you and would like to see how things work out on your end. I'll do the same once I can find a shop in my area and get parts ordered. Like I posted before I am looking at very light performance mods: Cold air intake/filter options, exhaust, tuning suspension, new rims, trunk lip spoiler, and tint. Don't know if I will chip the car or not, right now that is the last on my list. Truth be told if I could order all MS Design stuff I would, there stuff looks fantastic. FWIW, IPD has the MS Design trunk lip spoilers in: trunk spoiler is #8065 and it is $226.I assume they come unpainted. Anyone know if IPD will do a color match and ship it out?[This message has been edited by Theodore Ruxpin (edited 05-15-2002).]

George@Swedespeed · May 15, 2002

On the Tethys, I've been analyzing the wheel brochure that I have on loan from Yannis. They are listed as not fitting the V70XC. The brochure does differentiate between the XC and the S60 AWD, and I'm guessing there are packaging issues there, though I don't know what they are. The Tethys does not say that it won't fit the S60AWD. A wheel like the Helios says no AWD at all, which leads me to believe there's a difference between Viscous Coupling packaging and Haldex. On MS Design, I think IPD just got a new shipment of the stuff. You may want to contact them. On painting, we've had good experience with both Annapolis Collision in Annapolis, MD (Ted the owner is a big perfectionist) on two of our VWvortex project cars, and with Autohaus VW Porsche Audi in Lancaster, PA (paint work on another VWvortex project car). We've also had some decent work done very affordably through New German Performance (Doug is the painter) up in Aberdeen, MD where they repainted a guy's Scirocco and th work was VERY good for what he paid, though because they are not working in a dedicated paintshop, it wasn't on the level of Annapolis Collision or Autohaus.

GrecianVolvo · May 15, 2002

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Theodore Ruxpin: Along the same lines as "Why can't I do ______ with the S60 AWD?"I asked the dealer for a wheel swap because I really really wanted the Tethys rims (instead of the Thors I ordered) on the AWD. He was going to go ahead with the swap when their tech guy said that Volvo is not allowing the Tethys rims on the AWD due to a mechanical issue. Anyone know why this is? They are the same size wheel. Weight issue?I should find out eventually since the dealer put a call into Volvo to find out what the real answer is on why you can't get the Tethys rims on the AWD. Is this a total BS reason? I don't think the dealer is yanking my chain since we are very LOYAL customers to their dealership.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I don't think they are giving you a story as the wheel brochure that we received also states that TETHYS is not available for AWD models while the AMALTHEA is. I am trying to find out why that is as they are both "identical" at 7.5x17. <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>This S60 AWD will be the fifth Volvo we bought from the same dealership, and to think we only get a $500 dollar rebate for customer loyalty...they should give me the S60 for free!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>You can't be serious, right? I may agree with you that $500 may not be "enough" but...be thankful and grateful for what you are given (better than nothing)...and if they gave you the S60 "for free" (because you have bought 4 Volvos previously) what should they do with those (and they are many, I assure you) who have bought more Volvos than you? Make them Vice President Emeritus? <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> Don't know if I will chip the car or not, right now that is the last on my list.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>You are going to miss the best part!!! Yannis

Iceman · May 15, 2002

I agree with Yannis, the reflashed ECU from IPD/TME is the best part. Luckily I'm just north of Portland so I might go down there some time next year.We are about to have our second child so I don't think I should be dropping $1555 USD for an upgrade while we are essentially on one income. My wife is accommodating but that's pushing it.I'd love to know why the Tethys can't fit on my vehicle. Makes me wonder how limited I am on getting aftermarket wheels if Volvo wheels of apparently the same size and offset won't work.Pat

Theodore Ruxpin · May 15, 2002

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>"This S60 AWD will be the fifth Volvo we bought from the same dealership, and to think we only get a $500 dollar rebate for customer loyalty...they should give me the S60 for free!"

George@Swedespeed · May 15, 2002

I'd imagine the fitment issues have something to do with offset, but that's just a guess.

Volvo Tuners in NoVA or DC area?

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