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I know volvospeed has a short list of dealer reviews (and some indy shops), but it's rather thin, and I couldn't find a way to submit reviews. Is there another site with a better compilation? Other than in scattered posts, I don't see a central location to find that info here, either. How do people feel about survey here, or in another place easily accessible? cartalk has some, but there have been no new reviews for a long time. (I'm interested in MA, btw.) Does anyone already have a personal volvo site willing to share some space?
This question is prompted by a second post I read regarding timing belt failure after the replacement by a dealer (1st one by an indy shop). I'll need to have the timing belt changed on my 96 855T soon, and I'm planning to take it to a dealer. Depending on the dealer, 70k w/ timing belt service runs anywhere from ~400 to ~530 in MA. I don't mind paying a bit more if I know people had no major complaints. I hate the thought of timing belt snapping on my wife with kids in the back.
I'd like to be able to do it on my own sometime, but don't have enough time/tool/space/experience/etc. for a major job (for me, that is).
I hope I didn't open a can of worms...
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Top Wrench Auto and Robert's Volvo Lab in N Reading on rte 28. Both guys worked for Alewife Volvo and then 128 but now they're on their own. Both are very good for a lot of the reasons you would have in your expectations of a good ind. mech. Roberts has loaners and is very appointment orientated and does Volvos exclusively. Top Wrench allows drive bys for things like CE lights, they have never charged me to turn mine off on a drive by,OBDII and they will work on other cars as well.
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posted by
someone claiming to be TJ
on
Thu Jun 27 00:38 CST 2002 [ RELATED]
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You'll get a mixed bag of opinions on the "dealer vs indy" thing here. The broken t-belt story I've recently seen here was reported as breaking after an indy replaced it 2 months prior but we'll never know why it failed as the indy tech said a stone broke the cover (unlikely if you look at its location IMHO).
Replacing a t-belt on your car shouldn't be difficult for anyone with t-belt experience but I'd want an OEM belt installed, not an aftermarket belt.
Even if the belt did break, it's unlikely to be a safety issue as the engine will just stop running and you can coast to a stop, although it'll be a costly repair and very inconvenient.
IMHO from having real work experience in both indys and dealers, the main problem that some people might have at a dealer (the thing that often gives dealers a bad rap) is that there are times when they might have a new guy (a rookie, trainee) who's in-experienced with Volvos (usually a guy from an indy shop too btw). Your car might then be dispatched to that new guy and he might not do a good job on your car. So....if you want to go to a dealer, be sure to tell the service writer that you want an experienced Volvo tech servicing your car and people can and often do ask that. An experienced dealer tech will also have certifications, factory schooling and should be kept up to current auto technology, which are things that few indy guys have as indy shops can't afford all that. Things to consider. My $.02
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Yes, I know the car will coast to a stop, but with a 3 months old in the back, it can't be fun w/ no A/C. But then, 850's have no A/C even when it's running, so that's a moot point... :)
I'm fairly mechanically inclined, or so I think, but with 2 very young kids, I'm making formula in my spare time in the evening. I'd really like to work on my own car soon, though.
Good point about the dealer. If I'm to pay $$$ for labor, I might as well ask for my money's worth. I suspect we'll hear a range of reviews for any dealer. One thing I don't like about going to a dealer besides the high cost is that I rarely get to talk directly with the mechanics.
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posted by
someone claiming to be TJ
on
Thu Jun 27 14:38 CST 2002 [ RELATED]
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You can always ask to speak with your mechanic. I have several customers who will talk to me before talking to the service writer.
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Where do you live in Mass, Acton?
There is 47 shops on brickboard, and 355 0n the "old" database, maybe we should all add a couple? (I will as soon as I can figure out where to put their site names)
I've gone to Lovering Volvo in Nashua since they opened, and Volvo of Nashua before that. VofN was run by Mr. Lovering until there was some internal strife, email me if you want a good insider story.
I always get a loaner and discounts on parts and service. Of course I should, I get 4 cars serviced there. We have put 260,000 Volvo miles on 6 cars and have only suffered 2 breakdowns on the road. One was due to generator brushes at 210,000 miles on an '88 745, the other two years later when the same alternator came loose. (It was originally repaired by an AAA garage in Michigan)
I have never had a noisy brake either!
B & D in Shirley is a great used parts store. Alternator - $30 Their pricing appears to be strictly supply and demand.
You do not say which year your 850 is, but after looking at "rubber elbows" at volvospeed, the next time I have a timing belt done, I'm going to have the rubber elbow under the intake manifold changed when they do the serpentine belt.
--
2 8s & 2 7s 600,000 miles total
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James - my 855T is '96. Added to my profile under notes as you did.
Acton is my workplace, live just inside the 128 belt.
I always like a good story, so email me Lovering/VofN story. :)
I need to go thru the PO's service record more carefully. It looks like they had 60K service at 66K, and the T-belt was done at that time, too.
I used to take it to Boston Volvo, mainly because of free loaners, but they charge a lot more than other dealers. For about 2 years, I've been going to Swedish Motor Works in Concord with good results.
I do see the long list of shops on this site, but I'm more interested in subjective reviews, much like volvospeed does with different threads. of Besdies, I always like a good story. :)
'Days' till retirement? I envy you...
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