My car needs work.

Firstly, the engine mounts need replacing. I dont expect that to cost much, but am not sure of general cost.

Worse, I need new axles in the front, both sides.

Oh yeah, and both front strut mounts need to be replaced.

The car is around 4000 in market value...I figure it's a waste to spend 50% of that cost on the repairs.

What do you guess the costs of these repairs are?

If a garage won't let me use my own parts.............I go somewhere else! They are there to serve the customers car. If they want the business they have to understand that we are paying for whatever expertise we need. If we don't need some guys time to call NAPA, why should we pay for it? That is the reason most garages charge 95.00 an hour these days.

Re-Built axle assembly's are 92.50 each (CVU) at speedycarparts.com with a 25.00 core charge. I would imagine the dealer would charge 3 hours to replace both for a charge of about 300.00.

Strut bushings are 35.00 each and dealer would get 200.00 to replace and might want to do a 100.00 alignment.

The car is around 4000 in market value...I figure it's a waste to spend 50% of that cost on the repairs.

$2000? Spending $35,000 on a new Volvo is not a waste?

If the old heap isn't leaving you stranded....

I was also going to suggest an indy, but I guess you addressed that with Klaus. In any case there is a new S60-V70 in the pipeline. I'd either wait for the current version to go on the bargain table, or wait for the new one.

-BTC

'98 V70 T5 5-speed, 171k mi, Bilstein HD, front IPD stabilizer bar, Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate, XC grill, C70 jewel E-Codes, V-1, Lidatek, Mobil-1 since new.

"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."-Douglas Noel Adams (1952-2001)

Going to a dealer and paying inflated costs for labor time and parts, your check book will take a hit. All parts are guarenteed for a year.
A really good indie is the place for you, or you could learn how to DIY and save a lot of money. Labor rates vary from state to state, MN is high, TN is low.
Check FCPGroton for all of your parts and add 1.5 times that cost for labor and you should be in someone's ballpark.
Or, sell your car and be sure to deduct the parts and labor from the above to come up with a fair value. I'm sure the new owner will not be happy if you charged him $4,000 PLUS required parts and labor.

Klaus
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1975 164 w/173,500mi 1995 850T w/91,000mi, 1998 V70R w/128,000mi

Thanks. Where i live, there seem to be NO good indie places (Scottsdale AZ). I usually shop around, and I find that the local Volvo dealer is somewhere in the middle price ranges. Some indies have asked for stupid money to do just one axle (one wanted 1200 dollars!). The cheap quickie places are tempting, but I have had cars screwed up even worse from some of them.

I just looked in the "shops" on this board and there were two:
Vo-Vo Shop
PHONE 602.437.5707
ADDRESS1 4035 East University Drive
CITY Phoenix
STATE/PROVINCE AZ
ZIP 85034
COUNTRY US
CATEGORY Repair


Swedish Auto Werks
PHONE 602.971.0596
FAX NUMBER 602.494.7932
ADDRESS1 13402 N. Cave Creek Rd.
CITY Phoenix
STATE/PROVINCE AZ
ZIP 85022
COUNTRY US


Call them up and see what they have to say.
Stay away from the chain repair places!

Klaus
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1975 164 w/174,800mi (For Sale) 1995 850T w/91,000mi, 1998 V70R w/129,000mi

Thank you for looking those up!

I will look into that one in Cave Creek (my wife works up there and can drop it off).

I will probably order the parts myself and just pay for labor at the garage. I know they hate that, but it IS cheaper.

I already made an appointment to get the mounts done at Volvo itself. I know they can cost more, but I would rather have someone who knows volvos do it and they throw in a detailing too.

If I can just hang on to the car until april, when I pay it off, I will get it back into shape and get rid of it...perhaps trade it in for another 850. I like the car, but my particular car was obviously in a front end accident before I got it and the constant trouble with suspension and axles has been a real headache.

The 96's are notorious for suspension mount trouble. My understanding is that the 95's and 97's were better.

Not to be contrary, but you may find you get less-than-perfect service (or an outright refusal) if you bring your own parts to a reputable shop and try to have them install it as Klaus indicated.

A repair shop is a business, and a portion of its income derives from the margin/markup on parts--just like a restaurant.

Think about it this way: would you bring your own food to a restaurant and ask them to cook it? Of course not. Why do it with any other kind of business?

Certainly a dealer is going to charge a premium price, but an indy would likely be much less. There are undoubtedly some good indy shops in your area.

Finally, these repairs, though major, can be done yourself if you're able to take the time, invest in or rent some tools, and follow some ultimately simple procedures.

Just my $0.02...worth exactly that.

A "reputable" garage will not put in someone elses parts. Be careful before you order stuff.
The 1997 tranny is good, but remember, the S/V70 is just an updated 850 and just as reliable. Watch out for bubbling door panels! I like my older 1995 because I don't need a DTC scanner, but the electronics are getting old.
I get free car washes at my dealer whenever I visit, service is not required.

Klaus
--
1975 164 w/174,800mi (Sold) 1995 850T w/91,000mi, 1998 V70R w/129,000mi