[eleven24]

Anger is an understatement. Here's why: Yesterday my wife drops off her 2004 Volvo XC90 in for it's 37.5k checkup. Logic would dictate that since it's a leased vehicle, Volvo wants it back in pristine condition so all service interval checkups will be at no cost. All prior checkups were no charge, so I assumed this would be the same.

I assumed wrong. My wife is given a price of $349 when she drops the car off. THREE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS for a 2 year old car still under lease.

So this is the second issue I've had this week with auto dealers (the first being my E90 which arrived on 1/29 but is still sitting at the VDC Port in NJ because they're waiting for a new tire). While angry, I figured that the $349 probably covers an expensive HEPA filter. My current E46 needed one replaced, and it wasn't cheap. Angry as I was, I make a mental note and swear to never buy Volvo again.

Then my wife calls me. She tells me the service manager is insisting she needs the front brake pads replaced ~ quote: $249. I'm not arguing the front brakes need replacement, but $249. HE also says she needs new tires, and she does. ~ quote: $849.

Decline on both. I'll get them myself.

When she gets home she gives me the bill. They charged her $455 for today's "checkup". All parts were charged extra, and the $349 is just labor. What did they do? Good question - I thought the same, so I checked the owners service manual which details the 37.5k checkup. Ready? Check this out (and keep the $455 price in your mind):

- Check/replace all fluids. Replace Oil + Filter. Check battery level. Check/replace wiper blades. Check tires. Check brakes. Check/replace all filters. Reset service interval indicator.

That's it. All for $455.

So I immediately grab the phone and call the service manager. He starts giving me the "Sir, these vehicles are much more complicated than you are making them out to be". Probably because I told him right off the bat that he charged me $455 for something I could do in my garage in 30 minutes. This went back and forth for 15 minutes, until I finally told him that if this is how Volvo rapes their customers I'll stick with a real car manufacturer next time and buy my wife a BMW.

His reply "Sir, I understand your point".

Today I'm calling the sales manager at the dealership, in addition to contacting Volvo USA.

And if I don't have my car by the weekend (which will be 2 weeks sitting at the VDC) I'm going to go postal. Arrrghhh!!!

[ward]

pads only for $249????? damn

[SRT]

Sorry to hear about that terrible experience buddy - you may well be just wasting your energy by argueing with them

[Bimmerista]

Confused, maintenance was covered for the first two years only with Volvo ?

Otherwise, check their hourly rate (not the one charged to Vovo but the posted rate to customers-it is lower usually), and then check a previous bill which was free to you, I think the details include time spent (your previous check ups that were free covered likely the same things). Perhaps this way you can determine if they overcharged you time.

[CnoteMD]

The problem with having the car serviced at the dealer (after all covered maintenance has expired) is that everything is overpriced. My other car is a Volvo and last I checked, the labor rate was about $95/hr. The time charged is based on the labor rates from some book they have. So even if they can perform a job in 20 minutes, if the book says 1.5hrs, you get charged for that amount of time.

I think Volvo wanted over $600 for my last scheduled service. I took the car to an independent shop and paid about half that price.

However, I have my own Volvo experience involving 2 flat tires (thanks to the horrible roads in NYC). I had the roadside service tow the car to the nearest dealer. I generally have my car serviced in NJ, but Bayridge Volvo (Brooklyn) was the closest. They replaced the 2 tires (Michellin MXV4 size 205-55R16) for a grand total of about $520!!! Talk about a rip off. Needless to say, I will simply have it towed to NJ, even if I am in NY when it breaks down.

[Enroutte]

Wow, I'm sorry! That's so expensive!

I hope when I take my Volvo in, they don't do that to me. I wouldn't even know what to say because I know nothing about the car. "Oh what? $400? Is that reasonable? It is? OH okay."

Good luck with everything.

[Sound Of Speed]

Wow that sucks man.

The Volvo dealer was actually really good to me (as stupidly unreliable as my S80 was).

[rossmelvin]

I HEAR YOU my last bill was $495 4 the 50,000 checkup ,when i herd that i was pissed,after this dealer gave me the run around with my 2 jetta's(lemons) the owner came out and paid for it (i think i was scaring some people looking at an s80),i had to have my brake pad replaced at 22,000,and my tranny at 45,000.

[RBBMWE46M3]

bummer :mad:

[magmd]

Krap! That really sucks!

Well...can't do much about the volvo issue. You are likely wasting your time going into it any further. Sorry...

And...hopefully your E90 will be ready soon...then just and try to let the krap melt out of your head, if only for a few.

Good luck.

[maq]

My POS S40 was always at the dealership, but my service advisor was a great guy. I didn't buy the car there, but he still gave me free scheduled service and I always got free loaners.