I'll try to make this as short as possible:

Bought a used 1997 855 T5 46,000 miles from University Volvo (Charlotte, NC) beginning of the year. Since then I have had it in the shop numerous times (too many).

Part of the problem is the dealership can't seem to get some things right. For instance, leaving something rolling around in the dashboard after changing the air flow box, binding the radiator cap washer, and three times to get the silicone off of the roof after the windshield trim replacement.

Some of the items below may seem silly as a single item but when you consider the amount of time that I have had it in the shop (25-30 days)and the amount of trips to the dealer I have made, well plus the embarrasment of having a beautiful car that never works, you can see why this is so frustrating. (I have had the car about three months)

Examples include.

Turbo return line

Transmission

Condenser leaking on driver's side floor

Cable broken (? above the distributer)

Info display computer not working properly

Torque rod bushing....I know, but should have been done before I bought it. It is certified you know......

Roof strips

Windshield / trim piece

Rear rotors

Air flow box (wouldn't direct air to floor)

Windshield washer leak in cargo area

Leaking radiator

Lighter not working

I have returned the car but the dealership wants 1200 USD to take it back and cannot find me a comperable car. I have a meeting with the owner and have let them know that this is unacceptable. We'll see how that goes.

Any thoughts? Please no flames, this is extremely frustrating and time consuming, all I want is a car that isn't in the shop every week.

Thanks for your help.

SMS

Hi Gino

You have my sympathy I have had a similar experience with a 1994 850 T5 I bought six months ago. The car had 85,000km on the clock at the time of purchase and we have travelled 5000 km in the six months so I would expect some wear and tear.

Here is my list :

Rear Cam seals

Engine mount

Wheel bearing

Catalytic converter

Air con Evaporator

Cam belt

Bonnet catch

Camshaft cover sealer

R/H outer CV boot

Last night the battery light came on when I turned off the ignition. This according to brickboards archives requires an alternator replacement.

Most of these faults have been repaired under an additional warrantee we took out and the car dealer has said he will pay the excess on most of the items.

But you are right about the stress and frustration of dealing with the problems and being concerned every time you take it out of the garage for a run. What is even more frustrating from my point of view is I really love the car. It is a very safe and fast.

Good luck with any future cars.

Malcolm D

I sympathize with your struggle. I have a 1995 850 GLT I bought a little over a year ago w/ 80K and immediately after purchase (from a Volvo dealer)I had to do the following:

Rear brake pads

Rear seal

( my warranty at least covered 50% - but it was still a $600 bill)

Shortly followed by:

4 new tires

Front right caliper, and boot

New front rotors

New front brake pads

Attentae stopped going down

Rear brake light stopped working (4 mechanics haven't been able to fix)

Remote locking system died

battery died

A few months later:

A/C wasn't cooling

Timing belt replaced

But I have to say the last few months have been ok. I think it was beaten to hell by the previous owner. I keep hoping that it just needed some TLC. I love my cars and always keep them running perfectly. Of course now I have a noise in the front end when I make hard turns - I'm scared to find out what that is!!! I'm still crossing my fingers....

Same thing here. I've had my car for going on three years and it's never quite worked properly; there's ALWAYS been some issue with it. It gets frustrating because just as one thing would get fixed something else would go wrong immediately after. Now I have a bad bearing unit, a small oil leak, a torn CV boot cover, bad sway bar links, and bent wheels to deal with all at the same time. I should have gone with my initial instinct and bought that 328i that was sitting next to my car at the dealer.

Alex

Give it one last chance.