Servicing. Dealer or independent?

[swil00]

My V90 D4 has not long turned 4 years old and due a service soon.

Normally I wouldn't think twice about using my local Volvo specialist, I've used them for my old volvo for years with little issue, but in the last couple of months, I feel that the V90 infotainment system is getting a little slow and it been a few years since the car was last serviced or sold by a main dealer.

So, if I choose to go down the main dealer route to get the software updates, is it worth it on 4 year old car ?

I suspect there are a number of updates my car doesn't have, but will they make any difference ? Since my car has polestar optimisation, I think one is the dynamic mode being replaced with Polestar, but I think I could live without that..

Either way, I'll be looking at a full service, but suspect a brake fluid change is needed too.

[Tannaton]

Software updates foc.... usually a very good valet.... a years free recovery.... it all adds up.

Polestar features are preserved at a main dealer service.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by swil00

My V90 D4 has not long turned 4 years old and due a service soon.

Normally I wouldn't think twice about using my local Volvo specialist, I've used them for my old volvo for years with little issue, but in the last couple of months, I feel that the V90 infotainment system is getting a little slow and it been a few years since the car was last serviced or sold by a main dealer.

So, if I choose to go down the main dealer route to get the software updates, is it worth it on 4 year old car ?

I suspect there are a number of updates my car doesn't have, but will they make any difference ? Since my car has polestar optimisation, I think one is the dynamic mode being replaced with Polestar, but I think I could live without that..

Either way, I'll be looking at a full service, but suspect a brake fluid change is needed too.

Very much so yes even on a 10 year old one , The many complex volvo computer systems on the car are continuously fine tuned and developed ...a 4 year old car is fairly new ! The only specialist on a complex car is the dealer ...

[swil00]

Originally Posted by Clan

Very much so yes even on a 10 year old one , The many complex volvo computer systems on the car are continuously fine tuned and developed ...a 4 year old car is fairly new ! The only specialist on a complex car is the dealer ...

Oh yes, a 4 year old car is still fairly new to me too, but reading software update articles seems to cover later cars more than my MY17 car, so wasn't sure whether the older ones got less updates.

[Davebbass]

Main dealers do software updates, decent courtesy cars and a free year of very comprehensive breakdown cover. Also, Volvo Assist pay £250 of your insurance excess should you have a crunch and they recover you too. All adds up positives really and worth the extra outlay.

[SuffolkBoy]

I mentioned this on another thread about service costs on this sub forum earlier today - you can get a 10% discount at a Volvo dealer on the service cost if you are a member of the Volvo Owners Club.
It makes the dealer cost a little bit closer to an independent and you know that you get the benefits of the software updates and a further year’s breakdown cover.

[Cull06]

Tbh I can’t say much because I get main dealer servicing but to me it is sad if independents don’t even get a look in because the cars become increasingly complicated.

And for some people. The main dealers nearest to them are sometimes worse than the worst thing in the world.

[Wispyone]

Originally Posted by SuffolkBoy

I mentioned this on another thread about service costs on this sub forum earlier today - you can get a 10% discount at a Volvo dealer on the service cost if you are a member of the Volvo Owners Club.
It makes the dealer cost a little bit closer to an independent and you know that you get the benefits of the software updates and a further year’s breakdown cover.

In relation to the discount for Volvo owners club members, what does it entail please? Is there a charge to join or just being a member on here? And how do you prove your a member to get the discount?

Cheers

Richard

[Clan]

Originally Posted by swil00

Oh yes, a 4 year old car is still fairly new to me too, but reading software update articles seems to cover later cars more than my MY17 car, so wasn't sure whether the older ones got less updates.

Your 2017, as is a 2002, is still very applicable to software updates .. For example they altered the way the auto gearbox worked on early 2000 cars about 10 years later , learning from the previous ten years in use to how it aged and how to compensate or it ...

[St Evelyn]

Originally Posted by Wispyone

In relation to the discount for Volvo owners club members, what does it entail please? Is there a charge to join or just being a member on here? And how do you prove your a member to get the discount

Yes, you have to pay to join - IIRC it's about £35 a year. They send you a membership card that you can present at the dealership, however, I've only been asked to show it once (when buying parts that were on offer), never when getting servicing completed. It also gives you access to Volvo Affinity - a loyalty scheme for (significant) discounts on new vehicles after 6 months as a member, so definitely worth doing if you're likely to buy new at some point.