Volvo’s Back from the Shop, AMA

"Future Heap Owner" (aperiodic)
06/14/2019 at 17:16 • Filed to: Trigger warning for Svend and CoFL, Volvo V50, Volvo, CVVT hubs

Just drove the Volvo back home after picking it up from the shop. I stopped by the car wash on the way back as well (sorry, Svend; I will learn how to wash it once things settle down in July). The guy at the shop said there were no surprises and everything looks good in there now, and echoed AMG Tech’s opinion that the chunk missing out of the transmission torque bracket is nothing to worry about. It feels pretty nice to not have any sort of anxiety about the car’s condition now.

Here’s all the work done, and the fiscal toll:

The total came to $1988.30, which brings my total outlay on the car (excluding gas) to around $8500 in the three months since I test drove it (that is, including the purchase price). The good news is that it should only need maintenance I can do myself for a good long while ( at the pace I put miles on it) .

The shop calls itself an exclusively Volvo specialist, but this smart was parked out front both yesterday and today:

Maybe it’s a tech’s?

Anyways, AMA about the Volvo, or whatever else.

DISCUSSION (19)

CaptDale - is secretly British > Future Heap Owner
06/14/2019 at 17:36

Enjoying the Volvo? Are you sure Miss Mercedes isn’t visiting?

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Future Heap Owner
06/14/2019 at 17:38

Does the $8500 over 3 months include the money spent buying it?

MrDakka > Future Heap Owner
06/14/2019 at 17:41

Why a Volvo wagon ? Anything in particular that drew you to that car?

Future Heap Owner > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
06/14/2019 at 17:44

Yes, that’s the bulk of the $8500 ($5000 of it to be precise, plus another $200-ish in titling & registration fees ).

Future Heap Owner > MrDakka
06/14/2019 at 17:49

I’ve always been fond of Volvo wagons aesthetically, from the old 240 bricks through this car & its V70 contemporaries (the current ones are a bit too curvy for my taste, esp in the windows). Then when I was asking Oppo for car recommendations over the winter, and said I wanted something comfortable , everyone started talking about Volvos and Mercedeses. I started searching for both, and this V50 was the first one to come up that matched my other criteria. It having a turbo, AWD, and being one of the smallest wagons recently sold in the US didn’t hurt, either.

Future Heap Owner > CaptDale - is secretly British
06/14/2019 at 17:51

I am still enjoying it quite a bit. I’m hoping the hike my friend picks for tomorrow requires taking a road with some twisties and/or a gravel surface.

I thought she might be, but I hope not because I’d be really sad if she visited Portland without trying to meet up with the Oppo community here.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Future Heap Owner
06/14/2019 at 17:52

Then it’s not so bad then. I momentarily thought “$8500 in repairs in the first 3 months... ouch”

CaptDale - is secretly British > Future Heap Owner
06/14/2019 at 18:22

Yeah I finally took the Audi out on some dirt and it was great!

Yeah that would be sad

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Future Heap Owner
06/14/2019 at 19:44

Will I finally get to see this thing in Tacoma?

Future Heap Owner > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
06/14/2019 at 19:52

No, unfortunately. One of my best friends in back in town for her 30th birthday next weekend, so I can’t make the Oppo meet then.

I think you’ll have to wait until September, unless you’re somehow not working on July 2nd (I’ll be in the greater Seattle area that day, and could meet up if you’re free, but I’ll be heading back down to Portland before rush hour).

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Future Heap Owner
06/14/2019 at 19:57

What a coincidence; I’ll be on vacation and unable to appear in Seattle that day!

Future Heap Owner > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
06/14/2019 at 20:09

That’s the best reason to be unable to appear!

If you see a red V50 in the Mt Baker National Forest... that’s me

someoneatacura > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
06/14/2019 at 21:20

$3000 isn’t exactly great either though... I guess if it was due for some maintenance it could time up that way.

Glad to hear your car is running well again! Maybe during the next PWN meet i’ll Get everyone’s cars sorted out cleanliness wise.

Sovande > Future Heap Owner
06/15/2019 at 07:59

I’d still recommend changing that trans mount to the E-Focus mount. The increased stiffness makes shifting much easier with much less driveline slop.

Future Heap Owner > Sovande
06/15/2019 at 11:28

Planning on it. I ordered IPD’s version of the bushing.

Future Heap Owner > someoneatacura
06/15/2019 at 11:33

Only $2000 of that is for repairs or m aintenance, but yeah, still ain’t great.

Are you planning to come down to Portland for the fall meetup?

Sovande > Future Heap Owner
06/15/2019 at 11:46

I generally try to steer clear of IPD. They have absurd prices and the shipping is bonkers. FCP is great along with Tasca. I think I paid $45 for the genuine E-Focus mount.

Future Heap Owner > Sovande
06/15/2019 at 12:36

IPD’s version was only $10-15 more, and I can drive to IPD’s warehouse.

Sovande > Future Heap Owner
06/15/2019 at 17:40

Well that's a no brainer then!