Good Indie Volvo garage for V70 assessment

[Mayagirrl]

Good afternoon :-)

I'm loving my V70 T5 bifuel - but she's getting on a bit!

With 270K on the clock...various things are cropping up and needing adjustment/replacement. I'm good on mechanics - eg just changed the front disks and pads.

But I'd like to get a sense of what's going to wear out/need replacing - if I keep her for another 3-5 years. And I'd really like to be her final owner, if I can.

So can anyone recommend a Volvo indie garage who I can trust to give her an inspection and produce a To Do list that balances the cost of repairs against her age and mileage. I do know it's a juggle..the time/cost/age analysis...

I'm near Slough, and any garage within a couple of hours drive would be ok for the inspection.

I'd really like to keep her, but I can't be doing a day of spannering every 2 or 3 weeks...

Thanks in advance :-)

[old onions]

Hello there,

I am not that far north of you in Greenwich and for the last 4 years I have been going to DMW in Merton. Not the cheapest , but thorough , fair, knowledgable and they have full VIDA for any analysis needed.

http://www.dmwcars.com

[eternal optimist]

I’m a bit further west along the M4 than you; I’ve heard good things about Horton Motors in Bucks IIRC.

[eternal optimist]

Duplicate post

[Mayagirrl]

Thanks Old Onions.

But I'm not in south London any more, I'm west, near Slough.

Thx for your suggestion tho :-)

[Mayagirrl]

Cool, thanks Eternal Optimist.

I'll email them..they're only 50 mins from here, up the M40.

Their website certainly suggests they'd be very familiar with V70's.

Cheers for the suggestion :-)

[eternal optimist]

No problem. I’ve put 50k on my 2004 D5 XC70 in about 30 months. I’ve done all my own maintenance so far, and the car’s been very reliable. I plan to keep it going and will continue to fit quality parts (either Volvo, ATE, Mann etc) and keep on top of the fluids. Not done the Haldex service yet, that looks painful without a lift.

[Mayagirrl]

That's quite a mileage in 30 months!

I've done about 15K in 18 months.

So far I've changed the plugs, air filter and the thermostat. A new battery and 4 new tyres. Just put new Volvo discs and new Volvo pads on the front axle. Having an ongoing battle with the LPG system...

Mine does burn engine oil at an outrageous rate...but she's passed the emissions test AND she doesn't drip the oil. So I've no idea where it disappears to...

Good luck with your Haldex service. I'm not brave enough to buy an old car with either an autobox or a 4WD :-)

[tom9]

Haven't been there yet but taking my V70 in to GB Autos Volvo Specialist in Surrey in a couple of weeks. They have great reviews online and the owner sounded like a decent bloke on the phone

[eternal optimist]

I’ve done discs and pads all round and handbrake shoes, (Volvo from Skandix) multiple oil and filter changes (Shell 5w 40 A3/B4 and either Volvo or Mann filters). Air, cabin and fuel filters (Volvo or Mann again), Auto trans fluid changes (4 litres min every time I change the engine oil). All four calipers changed for reconditioned originals, new handbrake cables, four Michelin Cross Climates to replace the Pirelli Scorpions, and a new aux belt, idlers and tensioner when I bought it.

Oh, and I’ve refreshed the brake fluid and power steering fluid.

On the to-do list is a coolant flush, front drop links, and the cam belt and aux belt kit are due in about 6k miles. The previous owner had kept it well maintained from new.