Was in at the dealer today and learned that IF YOU BITCH about the right problem
VOLVO will upgrade your software to 2002 specs for free. That also includes a Performance enhancing upgrade. So if you have a 99 or 2000 you can get it up graded. How I learned about it was a 99 S80 T6 getting certified for resale and Volvo requires the upgrade for the 100K warranty. They downloaded 7 programs into the car's onboard computer while I was there. Thought you guys would like to know this.

If true .... another fine example of how Volvo elects to treat its "luxury sports sedan" owners. What a country!

The truth is that many newer cars ('99-'02), older S80s especially have improved software for various concerns depending on what the complaint (problem) is. There are some newer software versions for driveability, trans shifting and for '99 S80s a few other items too. Not ALL S80s have a newer software version available and what's written above is not really 100% accurate, the older S80s are not all getting '02 software (as '02s aren't the same as '99-01) but they're getting the latest software for that car IF it applies, all determined by SBs and TNNs only viewable via the dealers VEN intranet, not available for the public.

Note: It's not a performance upgrade at all, not like you're getting new specs that make the car take off like a rocket. There is newer software for some older non-turbo S80s that might have a poor performance problem, designed to fix that but that's it.

The '99 upgrade package that's now available is for Volvo dealer certified used cars, it's a SB (or TNN) about upgrading all older software versions before resale as a certified used car.

If you're an older S80 owner (older than '01 S80s typically) and have some specific issues which you think might be cured by newer software, a dealer employee can check recent SBs and TNNs for you and inform you IF one or more applies to your car. I wouldn't expect that to be done via phone call but if you're there for any particular reason (like they're servicing your car) then just ask the service writer and he should be able to make a note of it and there's no reason why they wouldn't then look into it as they're getting paid by VCNA to DL software if still under warranty.

Thanks for the clafification (I guess). But the point is - if my car is in for service why should I have to ASK for the latest software download? If Volvo knew anything about how to treat the owners of "luxury sport sedans" the owner wouldn't need to ASK for anything. This should be standard procedure for every in-warranty car that comes into the shop. All SBs and TNNs should automatically be checked without the owner asking to have any check run. If you want to tell me that the dealer won't get paid for software downloads by VCNA unless the owner specificsally asks or complains about an issue - sounds like a big problem to me. Somebody needs to explain to the dealer and VCNA what the word "service" actually means. I say screw me now cause you ain't never gettin' a chance to screw me again. 9 months to go and I'm outta here.

If there is NO particular problem with the vehicle that can be solved by new softwares, why should it be upgraded?
The software upgrade patches are only made to correct problems in case of the vehicle needs it.

And I also guess that Volvo doesn't want to make their happy customers worried by telling them "Hmm, we must upgrade this software just in case".

For very old S80's, the early M/Y 1999's, it might be a recommended to upgrade the vehicle, if not yet carreid out.

I can't believe you would show your ignorance by stating that "The software upgrade patches are only made to correct problems in case of the vehicle needs it." Sounds like each car is an individual, like people in a doctors office. To the contrary, if the f---ing model year ecu programs receive an UPGRADE, and all things remaining equal - computers and cars being stamped out by the masses - then it would seem only logical that all the cars of that vint be upgraded. ...And that's a bloody SERVICE item that should be performed without coniving, begging, scheming, etc. In fact, they should call and allow us to bring the car and wait while they quickly do the upgrade. (Then I woke up)Sheeesh!

Check the fuel pump relay; it could perhaps benefit from a don foster re-solder job. The morning start/later in the day no start sounds like a thermal problem, which could translate into cracked solder joints in the relay.