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S70 Leather Steering Wheel Atypical Wear - Battle Won! S70 2000

posted by  someone claiming to be Dave Balberchak on  Mon Dec 3 17:51 CST 2001 [RELATED]

Ya, OK, I don't visit the board for two months and then I post three messages in one day. Just the ebb and flow of things I suppose...

I just wanted the other S70 owners to know that you CAN win the battle with Volvo North America concerning the "spotting" that occurs on the leather wrapped steering wheels. I honestly would have NEVER thought to make this an issue at my last servicing had it not been for this forum. From what I recall, most people were not getting anywhere with Volvo on the issue, but one person had succeeded with getting a replacement.

Well, at my 30K maintenance I mentioned the unsightly wear on the top-right of the steering wheel and stated that I know of at least one case where Volvo agreed to replace the steering wheel. The new Service Manager went into a diatribe about how HIS Volvo is 150 years old (sic) and how HE has owned it since new, and how by PROPERLY caring for your leather you will NEVER have these problems and, alas, he finally stated that Volvo has officially decided that this is a non-issue.

I was satisfied that I had made my point, but only after letting the ownership know what a pompous ass they had hired. This should have been the end of the story, but...

The dealership called a couple of weeks ago. Mind you, this is three months after my visit. They stated that Volvo had a change of policy on the issue, and that they were ordering a new steering wheel for my vehicle. That item showed up today, just in time for the 37.5K servicing which is unfortunately about 1K overdue.

Bottom line - if you are seeing the spotting on your leather steering wheel then let your dealership know that you want it replaced. If, by chance, this has already been addressed in the past two months then I do apologize.

Dave







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    Re: S70 Leather Steering Wheel Atypical Wear - Battle Won! S70 2000

    posted by  someone claiming to be x on  Mon Dec 3 18:21 CST 2001 [RELATED]

    Question - Did they replace your steering wheel with another beige s-wheel? or a gray one? And you stated they "ordered" a new one for you... Im guessing straight from Volvo? Reason I am asking is my dealer has offered to "re-do" my beige steering wheel on my 2000 S70. And I doubt the "re-do" job will be as clean as the factory one.

    Besides that they are doing this on a one-time-only basis - so if the wheel begins to peel again, they will not cover it. The reason I asked if its beige and not gray is that my dealer also offered to replace it with a gray steering wheel. With that I would get full coverage.

    And to top it off, sorry I know it''s leangthy - I called Volvo last week asking them about this issue and the Rep stated the steering wheel only has a 1 year / 12 month warranty. He also mentioned that replacement or 're-doing' of the steering wheel at this point (21,000 Miles) is completely up to the dealership, and that Volvo has absolutely nothing to do with it.

    Very VERY confusing if you ask me. Guess in the end its all up to how nice you are to your dealer...

    ---alex







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      Issue is..... S70 2000

      posted by  someone claiming to be Mike on  Tue Dec 4 00:39 CST 2001 [RELATED]

      not a problem with your dealer BUT the fact VCNA probably refused to warranty the new wheel, it's not repairable as it seems like the material dissolves.

      Everyone's quick to blame their dealers on these issues but if VCNAs warranty rep says "NO, NOT covered by their warranty" then the dealer is powerless to do anything more about it.

      I'm aware of a similar instance where a dealer assumed it'd be covered, replaced it, claim then denied (not paid) so the dealership then lost and had to pay for that wheel themselves. That's not how a dealership makes money needed for survival and unpaid warranty is a BIG issue in all dealerships everywhere, something to be avoided.

      Any dealership I've worked for wants to make their customers happy so if they can get it covered under warranty, they'll do their best to do so because it's their happy repeat customers who're keeping them in business.







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        Re: Issue is..... S70 2000

        posted by  someone claiming to be Dave Balberchak on  Tue Dec 4 01:36 CST 2001 [RELATED]

        Alex,

        I need to get my vehicle in for the 37.5K servicing this week, and will have the details of how they plan to go about this at that time. The message that they left me is "your new steering wheel has come in, please call to set up an appointment". That would certainly imply a new steering wheel, and not just a re-wrap.

        Will let you know how it all plays out later in the week.

        As for Mike's comments (apologies if I do not recall your name correctly) the Service Manager did take exactly that stance when I brought up the issue. If their VCNA Regional Rep says "no", then there is not any recourse. The dealer had already had one complaint before mine, and had investigated the issue at that time. This is obviously a recurring problem, and you have to believe that the more people get them replaced the easier it will be for others to make the point. Again, I would have never considered the possibility had it not been for previous posts including the one success story.

        Gray? Dunno about that. I have the same interior as Alex, and I am thinking that gray might not be a good thing. Actually, I am fairly certain that gray would not be a good thing. Hoping that they keep it the same.

        Dave







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          Re: Issue is..... An Option C70 99

          posted by  someone claiming to be RD on  Tue Dec 4 04:31 CST 2001 [RELATED]


          Guys,

          Here is an option.

          I had the same situation with my C70.

          I wanted to keep this as simple as possible

          so I orderd a custom leather wheel cover

          from Wheelskins. The Euro Two-Tone version.

          Every thinks it's stock. Looks fantastic.

          No bleeding through after 2 years but will

          replae this summer for that brand new look.

          I have a gut feeling this glue-bleeding

          or whatever it is may continue with any replace

          steering wheel from Volvo.

          Just an option.

          rd







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            Re: Issue is..... An Option C70 99

            posted by  someone claiming to be x on  Tue Dec 4 08:04 CST 2001 [RELATED]

            How much did that cost ya? Do you have a pic or link?

            BTW - Here's the pic of our interiors with a gray steering wheel - Not So Nice.







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              Re: Issue is..... An Option C70 99

              posted by  someone claiming to be RD on  Tue Dec 4 10:16 CST 2001 [RELATED]


              www.wheelskins.com

              $ 44.95 Not a bad deal for 2 years.

              I think it went up a little.

              You probably can squeeze 3 or 4 years

              out of it you clean and condition.

              I had a special size configuration done

              for my C70 with a sand/charchoal combo

              and the bottom piece cut to about 5 inches

              so it's between the polls.

              Let me know if anyone is serious and will

              give you the exact dimensions later for the

              C70 EuroTone . No extra charge for the custom work.

              rd







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                Re: Issue is..... An Option C70 99

                posted by  someone claiming to be Carl in Colorado on  Tue Dec 4 12:47 CST 2001 [RELATED]

                Interested in Wheelskin dimensions. A pic would be great! thanks, good solution. I had wheelskin on my (now sold) 73 1800ES, was very happy with the quality of the product.

                Thanks,

                Carl







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                  Re: Issue is..... An Option C70 99

                  posted by  someone claiming to be RD on  Wed Dec 5 10:27 CST 2001 [RELATED]



                  Carl,

                  Dug up the dimensions for you and took two pictures.

                  The Eurotone for C70 :

                  Sand/charcoal - 15 inches x 4 and a quarter inches.

                  The bottom sand piece between the post is 5"

                  If you send me an email and I will reply back

                  with the 2 photos attached.

                  rd_volvo@hotmail.com






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