Long Term Ownership Issues

[Philip Fisher]

Originally Posted by James77

Purchased the extended warranty third year now plan to.keep that going. Not heard of a Automation Gold warranty is that direct from dealer?

I was planning on using an award winning volvo accredited garage from this year onwards..can't decide if that is a good idea or not if something went pop.
At our mileage another 5 years will take us to 70k miles and we'd have sold car ny then. Wondering if I'm being too neurotic

Yes it is the sort of warranty sold with secondhand cars. Riverside also have a part of the business which sells premium secondhand cars from other marques and I assume that is why they sell these warranties. Seemed perfectly happy to sell me the warranty on a car I already owned, and they do all my servicing and repairs so they have a close interest in making sure the warranty company are fair and reasonable. It paid for my ERAD rebuild without issue. When my engine went pop and I realised that our V60 had the same engine I immediately went and bought a warranty for the V60.

[Philip Fisher]

Originally Posted by James77

How is a new engine 18k crate motor is c5k. Blown away ny that

Well not quite. Recon engine in a crate is 6.5k plus VAT, so knocking on the door of 8k for the part. Then I assume there were 2 turbos, ancillaries, gaskets etc.... probably end up being 12k parts. Then book labour for a petrol is 12.8 hours, maybe more for diesel so maybe 3k labour.

So yes 18k seems toppy but not difficult to get to 15k.

[Backinavolvo]

Originally Posted by James77

So I'm wondering what mileage are you at, what issues have you come across and what maintenance has been required apart from consumables?

Hi,

154k D4 V60, oil changed every 9k, gearbox serviced 3 times, story so far:

2nd set of pads all round
Original discs and batteries
Original boot struts (use them around 10 times a day)
Sunroof software needed to be reloaded

That's it. Yes really!

Oh and still doesn't use a drop of oil. I hope I don't regret saying all that!!

[GMcL]

Your car is doing about 30,000 miles/year and you have basically halved the Volvo recommended schedule to what Japanese manufacturers recommend.

3 years at 9,000 oil changes is 10 to Volvo's recommended 5. Who does the gearbox servicing ? Is that part of the Volvo schedule or do you do that yourself/have it done at a gearbox specialist ?

I'm guessing 30,000 miles/year is a lot of motorway miles.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by GMcL

Your car is doing about 30,000 miles/year and you have basically halved the Volvo recommended schedule to what Japanese manufacturers recommend.

3 years at 9,000 oil changes is 10 to Volvo's recommended 5. Who does the gearbox servicing ? Is that part of the Volvo schedule or do you do that yourself/have it done at a gearbox specialist ?

I'm guessing 30,000 miles/year is a lot of motorway miles.

Volvo don't have gearbox servicing as part of a schedule. They tell you its "sealed for life", which is complete nonsense. Some dealers will do a gearbox service if you ask, but most won't even offer it.

[Backinavolvo]

Originally Posted by GMcL

Your car is doing about 30,000 miles/year and you have basically halved the Volvo recommended schedule to what Japanese manufacturers recommend.

3 years at 9,000 oil changes is 10 to Volvo's recommended 5. Who does the gearbox servicing ? Is that part of the Volvo schedule or do you do that yourself/have it done at a gearbox specialist ?

I'm guessing 30,000 miles/year is a lot of motorway miles.

Yes, I drive a lot of long distance. (Which I know is best for the car). The 1st year was 10k. I bought the car from then. It has been my choice, as I am an engineer and there is nothing kinder to a car then fresh oil. I buy it in bulk from west way in the Midlands.

Basically Volvo service it as normal, and then I do my own in between, originally to maintain value, now I am running long, that is less relevant of course.

The gearbox is suggested at 60k (By Asisn, NOT Volvo), they make the box so they know best imo, and it always seems nicer afterwards. I cannot reset the gearbox software, so I always do my gearbox service a day or two before the 'Volvo' service and kindly request they do it for me. My local dealer is very good.

If it blows up tomorrow, so be it, but I would hope my sympathy will pay dividends.

Just my opinion:-)

[GMcL]

Originally Posted by Backinavolvo

Yes, I drive a lot of long distance. (Which I know is best for the car). The 1st year was 10k. I bought the car from then. It has been my choice, as I am an engineer and there is nothing kinder to a car then fresh oil. I buy it in bulk from west way in the Midlands.

Basically Volvo service it as normal, and then I do my own in between, originally to maintain value, now I am running long, that is less relevant of course.

The gearbox is suggested at 60k (By Asisn, NOT Volvo), they make the box so they know best imo, and it always seems nicer afterwards. I cannot reset the gearbox software, so I always do my gearbox service a day or two before the 'Volvo' service and kindly request they do it for me. My local dealer is very good.

If it blows up tomorrow, so be it, but I would hope my sympathy will pay dividends.

Just my opinion:-)

I'm a big fan of preventative maintenance.
I tried to get my local Volvo main dealer to change the gearbox oil on my manual car at 4 years and around 50,000 miles, I was told you shouldn't do that, I had it changed anyway by an indie. Some may say it is not necessary however, gear oil only has a four year shelf life so how it can last 'forever' inside a gearbox doesn't sit well with me. My Focus is four this summer, the gearbox (8F40 TC not Powershift) will get a flush and some fresh oil even though it's not on the official service schedule.

Impressed with the brake life of your car. Mine hardly touches the front discs, had them replaced last October just as the car turned 13 years old, they were the original discs and second set of pads. Rear pads on my car only last around 25,000 miles and new discs at the back required after two sets of pads.

My car also went through a phase of eating batteries. I had 2005MY S60 which was still on the original battery at 9 years when I sold it. I bought this 2011 car in 2013, original battery was toast after four years, fitted a Varta silver that only lasted 18 months before going back to Volvo supplied. The car is now on its fourth 12v battery, no stop/start that came on the 2012 cars.

A split intercooler return pipe, boost control valve and new aircon compressor have been the extra items over and above regular service items. Still on the original clutch.

[Backinavolvo]

Originally Posted by GMcL

Impressed with the brake life of your car. Mine hardly touches the front discs, had them replaced last October just as the car turned 13 years old, they were the original discs and second set of pads. Rear pads on my car only last around 25,000 miles and new discs at the back required after two sets of pads.

My car also went through a phase of eating batteries. I had 2005MY S60 which was still on the original battery at 9 years when I sold it. I bought this 2011 car in 2013, original battery was toast after four years, fitted a Varta silver that only lasted 18 months before going back to Volvo supplied. The car is now on its fourth 12v battery, no stop/start that came on the 2012 cars.

Often driving in the early hours, and use of the sat nav more for working out when to lift off! I expect I will need discs soon, as pads were changed around 100k.

Regular long dist drives means battery is happy bunny too.

Back to the original post, I would simply suggest reg oil changes and a trickle charge here and there. Try to avoid regular short journeys if its a diesel.

[Toprivetguns]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

Volvo don't have gearbox servicing as part of a schedule. They tell you its "sealed for life", which is complete nonsense. Some dealers will do a gearbox service if you ask, but most won't even offer it.

Unless you tow or taxi. I've also had 3 gearboxes oil services. 2 by myself and the last by Horton Volvo. The gearbox works effortlessly. Agree with the preventative maintenance. The plan is to hit 200k and beyond...