XC70: General XC70 Service

[AdrianNW]

My 64 reg, MY2015 XC70 D5 is getting on for 9 years old and due a service next month. I've always used a main dealer up until now but is it time to save money and use a good specialist Volvo independent garage for this ??

There is also other work to do eg. rear disks and pads and an engine hesitation issue to be looked at, all of which I'm sure will be pricey at a main dealer.

Slightly concerned about potential of no software updates which may be applied by a main dealer so would be interested in any feedback.

[JonnyA]

i think that it depends on the facilities the indy has.
my local indy specialist (in Somerset, so probably not good for you) has a vida subscription and i believe they can check for sw updates and apply them.
failing that, some go for the basic dealer service periodically to catch sw updates at (a minimum?) cost.

[Rich1e2001]

I'm in the exact same boat with my XC70. Had it 6 years now and intend to keep it a while longer but the dealer wanted £2k at this service and for me that's just too much for a 10 year old car. I've just done the work myself - discs all round, timing belt, oil service, air filter and have the cabin and fuel filters sitting there ready to go in this weekend hopefully. I think I'm in for around £500 at this point for the same service using genuine or MANN parts. It's been a bit of a hassle but next time round should be a bit slicker. I have an 'unofficial' version of VIDA so could set the rear parking breaks to service position and reset the reminders etc. I'm wondering how much benefit there is in software updates for this age; is there anything unknown about this car anymore and are Volvo really spending that much time developing new software versions for it? I have my own doubts. Will be interested to learn of your experience with an Indy. Maybe I should've gone down this route and saved myself a bit of time crawling around under it!

[AdrianNW]

I'm booked in for my first service with a Volvo specialist indy mid August so it will be interesting to see how they get on. They have very good reviews and if they do a good job for a fair price then I'll be happy. If they can solve the engine hesitation at higher revs under power, present since I bought the car 8 years ago, then I'll be even happier !!

The indy cannot offer software updates but I've come to the consensus that if the car is working well then software updates on a car of this age should have little value. Can always book it in with the dealer for a minor service if a software update is really required as mentioned earlier in this thread.

Cam belt is due next year (10 years) or even sooner and definitely need to find an alternative to a main dealer for this !!

[Simmy]

why have you been driving for 8 years with a fault? .

[Rich1e2001]

I had a hesitation issue with my car last year, it turned out to be the boost pressure sensor which was faulty. It felt like the turbo wasn't spooling up. Fortunately a very easy and cheap fix, see thread below with details incase it helps.

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=304385

[griston64]

Originally Posted by AdrianNW

I'm booked in for my first service with a Volvo specialist indy mid August so it will be interesting to see how they get on. They have very good reviews and if they do a good job for a fair price then I'll be happy. If they can solve the engine hesitation at higher revs under power, present since I bought the car 8 years ago, then I'll be even happier !!

The indy cannot offer software updates but I've come to the consensus that if the car is working well then software updates on a car of this age should have little value. Can always book it in with the dealer for a minor service if a software update is really required as mentioned earlier in this thread.

Cam belt is due next year (10 years) or even sooner and definitely need to find an alternative to a main dealer for this !!

Main dealers don't do software updates on what they call an essential service which is £175 ( it's basically a very expensive oil change !! )

[AdrianNW]

Yes - you are right of course Simmy - why have I not had it fixed in 8 years. The main dealer wasn't really interested and since I don't drive round like a lunatic, the hesitation has just been a minor annoyance. Booked in this week for the first service with the indy and it would be just great they fix the issue !!