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As I was surfing the luxury car ads, I came across what appeared to be a sweet deal on a 2001 MB C240. So I paid a visit to Edmunds.com to get the scoop on the C240. Low-and-behold, you should hear the complaining about this car! Make our S80's sound virtually perfect. Here's some classics:
"This car is very fun to drive when it is working. We have almost 30 pages of service records in 2 1/2 years. We tried to get Mercedes to buy this car back, but no luck. Then the dealer offered us well below retail on a trade in. It has been in the shop 13 times--phone has never worked right, a/c broke twice, fuel gauge, windows, rear screen, etc. etc. Our dealer (Stead Walnut Creek) had treated us with contempt. We have been told by a Lemon Law attorney that they fight every single claim to trial, which is obviously worth the effort to a small minority of people. We are done with Mercedes forever!"
"No quality customer service here and Mercedes doesn't stand behind the car. Brakes are soft and need replacing often(they suggest every 10-14000 miles). Dealerships aren't knowledgeable enough to do repairs(they nicked my leather, dented the hood and roof top, scratched the wood grain) and denied they did it. Don't buy from Mercedes..honda,toyota,nissan,bmw...anyone else is better."
"Mercedes advertises as a luxury vehicle- they should also advertise as don't give a crap customer service!This car is way overpriced.Have been to several dealerships for warranty work and not one of them has ever done a good job.It's the same thing time after time. When I called Mercedes to complain they said that each dealer is independent and that they have no control!What a load of crap! Toyota,Nissan,Honda care-even BMW.We need to get the word out about Mercedes so people will quit buying and the company will be forced to comply with consumers needs.I tried to trade this car in-even with factory warranty no one wants it.Don't buy Mercedes!"
And here's a poor sap who traded in his Volvo:
" I bought this car after driving a Volvo for 5years - the 850Glt. Went for the safety (eight airbags) and class of driving a MB product. I thought I was taking a step up...I was very mistaken. First the seat comfort does not nearly compare to the Volvo. Second the interior room - particularly the backseats - is terrible. Engine performance for price is lackluster. The Volvo850 GLT w/ turbo was the same price (year-on- year) and lacked about 30hbp. One did not feel confident accelerating onto expressways - particulalrly the Eisonhower and Eden's in Chicago...The C240 is not worth it - PERIOD."
So the S80 isn't so bad afterall.
To all the disappointed MB owners out there, cheer up, I hear you can get a good deal on lightly used 1999-2001 S80's!
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posted by
someone claiming to be Frank
on
Fri Jan 23 16:26 CST 2004 [ RELATED]
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You just bought your used S80 with about 30K miles, right? Too soon to know what lies ahead and many newer Euro cars (especially) these days are now known to be very problematic in general, not just Volvo.
You might be complaining here too sooner or later when you begin to experience many of the known S80 problems, even if covered by warranty.
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Ah, Frank, I knew I could rely upon you to "throw it back in my face".
The "King of all nay-sayers", I bet your S80 fell apart like the old police cruiser Elwood Blues was driving...
You know what? Somewhere on this earth, the sun is shining. Get out and live a little, your cup is, afterall, half full.
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posted by
someone claiming to be Frank
on
Sat Jan 24 05:46 CST 2004 [ RELATED]
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Nope, I have never nor will I ever own an S80. Why? I work at a Volvo dealer where I see them and repair them everyday and that is why I'd never own any newer Volvo, nothing after '98.
My nice old cars? My troublefree '86 RWD Volvo has 240K miles (still looks very good) and will still be going for yet another 10 yrs. Yes, the sun IS shining here and my cup IS more than 1/2 full everyday too.
I'm also not trying to throw anything back in your face but simply trying to inform you that most here aren't really being unrealistic or unreasonable, especially when they're talking about higher mileage '99-'00 S80s and especially when the warranty expires. They get VERY costly to own and if you keep your car THAT long, you'll also understand.
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You know what Frank? This exchange reminds me of the kind of scolding a parent gives a child, "You keep on doing that and _________ will happen to you, I'm warning you, don't make me say I-told-you-so!"
Maybe it's true that you are a Volvo Tech and you've seen problems with S80's. Does that mean I need to run out the door right away and sell my S80 immediately? Does that mean my S80's transmission, electrical system, lights and sunroof are all going to fail simulataneously? Seems like a knee-jerk reaction to some known problems which are probably rectified in most cases.
I've looked at many sources of data concerning the S80 (I'm a systems safety analyst by profession). I understand all-too-well the mechanical issues pertaining to the S80. It's also very clear to me that there are some high failure items on this particular model, as you've ensured through your many posts, over and over again, that all people remotely associated with Volvo's are informed of.
Personally, I've accepted this and I am willing to live with these limitations without the need of a certain Volvo Tech named Frank running around me in circles chanting "I-told-you-so-I-told-you-so-I-told-you-so...."
You go off and enjoy your pre-98 RWD and allow us S80 owners to enjoy ours. Your non-S80-owner opinions are not desired nor welcome here.
Good day!
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posted by
someone claiming to be Frank
on
Sun Jan 25 03:36 CST 2004 [ RELATED]
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...it was YOU who came here telling all other S80 owners to quit their whining in the first place and just because YOU bought a low mileage used car and have not yet had problems.
All I did was simply try to explain to you that those who come here are not whining but instead are genuinely upset about the car that they thought had a good reputation, they paid alot of money for and they weren't expecting all the problems they've received since. Actually, if you look around here now, there are NOT any S80 threads where anyone's whining about how bad their cars are in the first place so the title of your original thread isn't relavent here now is it? I also don't care what you think of me or others here but try telling any '99-'00 S80 owner who's just spent over $3K in repairs (not unrealistic btw) to "shut thre F... up!" as if "things could be worse".
Many times I talk to early S80 owners who still say that they really like the car but not its problems, that's a common complaint. Many of these people either trade up to a newer S80 or get another brand of car instead. Volvo is losing older customers but they're also trying to get new customers with their newer models.
I've been here at this board for almost 4 yrs so I'm not exactly new here but you are. People posting here aren't the whiners and complainers that you're implying that they are.
As for you, I can ignore all of your threads here when you begin to have problems and thus become one of those you're now telling to just shut up. I don't care either way. I occasionally help people out here but I don't have to, don't need to either.
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Frank:
Keep up the good work. I am a RWD guy since '67 and am only now toying with the idea of a newer Volvo (93 940T, my newest). I have learned a lot from you and your posts and have been considering a 98 S70, but have to wear out my old beasties first.
BTW, around here in TX the S 80 is also taboo---all who own, groan.
dick
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Silver Y2K enjoy your S80, it's a fine car. The problems with the early S80 were kind of 50/50, either you got a lemon or you got a good one. Hopefully yours is one from the good 50%.
I believe that the majority that post on this board are not whining or complaining, but actually seeking help and answers on how to fix their beloved volvos and at times also venting their frustration. I know I do.
Frank, I enjoy reading your posts and I have learned a lot on the FWD volvos, this past 8 months since i got the v70, from you and others with volvo expertise.
Remember this is supposed to be a friendly board.
Well, that's my 2 ents.
--
'88 240, '92 745, '98 v70 John, Tampa Bay
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Concur.
I was merely trying to point out that our lot in life as S80 owners isn't all that bad, and the self-titled, all-knowing Volvo expert of brickboard.com is lurking at every corner, pointing at me and chanting "you-just-wait-and-see-you-just-wait-and-see..." like my S80 is going to fall apart the moment the warranty expires, and is all-too-proud to point out that the only good Volvo's were pre-98 RWD models. Well excuse me! I didn't start the fight here, in fact, I started another post ("How about some good news?") and good'ol Franky was immediately on my case there as well.
I guess the only post Franky will be happy with are ones that say "S80's are junk and pre-98 RWD's rule."
Sorry, old chap, I'm not going down that road. You don't find me posting "slams" against the pre-98 RWD's, do you?
Like I said before, "Peace".
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posted by
someone claiming to be Frank
on
Mon Jan 26 06:28 CST 2004 [ RELATED]
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"you-just-wait-and-see-you-just-wait-and-see..."
Try re-reading my posts as I've NEVER said that once here to you or anyone else. You are taking my responses way to personally.
IF I ever see you here complaining, I will not ever say anything like "told you so" as that's just not my bag. I don't get my kicks from others misfortunes.
I WILL ignore all of your posts here from now on as you obviously have serious issues with me. If it matters, I'm sorry that I somehow offended you as that was never my intent.
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Ah, Frank, I knew I could rely upon you to "throw it back in my face".
The "King of all nay-sayers", I bet your S80 fell apart like the old police cruiser Elwood Blues was driving...
You know what? Somewhere on this earth, the sun is shining. Get out and live a little, your cup is, afterall, half full.
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posted by
someone claiming to be Samurai
on
Sat Jan 24 10:10 CST 2004 [ RELATED]
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nmi
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