Graham Wrightson's....unhelpful

[Roderick Plinge]

I have recently encountered an issue with my V70 S1 2.5, and I have posted in the appropriate section of this forum for some help and advice which, as ever, is always forthcoming. On occasion in the past I have also used Graham Wrightson's on the Wirral (Prenton) when I have had issues with my V70 S2 T5 and my partners S60 D5, and they have been both helpful and professional.

However, this morning I rang to book in my V70 S1 for an initial assessment. The chap I spoke to obviously confirmed that they had no diagnostics equipment to plug the car into because of its age, and that the initial assessment would be £80+VAT which I stated was not a problem. When I attempted to book the car in the guy rather abruptly and rudely told me that they were not interested in getting involved as they had plenty of work on. At the end of the call I was left with the feeling that I had somehow inconvenienced Graham Wrightson's by calling them, and obviously I feel I must pop over to Prenton and 'apologise' in person, in my own 'unique' way.

Wrightson's have always struck me as Volvo enthusiasts and indeed it is the enthusiasts of the older models that keep many of these great cars on the road. Not everyone chooses, or can afford, to splash out thousands of pounds on a newer model - indeed I have found that when I have purchased newer Volvo's they have proved woefully disappointing in terms of build quality and integrity compared to the older models I have also owned.

It would appear that if your car can't be fixed by artificial lifeforms then garages are becoming reluctant to get their hands dirty in the good old fashioned tradition. This is probably also due to the fact that they can't rip you off with ridiculous prices for the 'black magic' they throw at you with modern cars - like my friends Zafira that required a "new chip-thingy on the gearbox madam and that will be £2006 by the way....". My arse it will!

No doubt Herr May will hit owners of older cars again this year...those old polluting jalopies that us peasants are driving....oh, sorry to all you diesel owners who will be scrapping your twelve month old cars very shortly because they're not as 'friendly' to the environment as we told you they were when we wanted to hike the price of diesel through the roof.

I am sorry for my divergent rant. Does anyone have a pushbike for sale, or a pony and trap?

[m0bzy]

I would do a search for a good independant ,my 850 had diagnostic capability , so I cannot see why yours should not.

[christheancient]

It took some doing finding a good place for me as well.

Then...

I found a local indy Volvo guy not far from me (and since then, I've moved even nearer to the place). And, what a garage. They love Volvos and have always come up trumps for me - whatever I've wanted/needed doing. And at sensible prices.

Can you find a nearby indy within reach? Or do you really come from that Carthage?

[green van man]

The P1 V70s are pre Vida dice and few garages have the diognostic equipment for them.
My local dealer did have and I believe still has the equipment, fortunately while he charges dealer rates they are not the silly dealer rates that some dealers charge. I know they were always helpful when I took my P1 tdi to them, be it for service or problems.

Paul.

[cheshired5]

Originally Posted by green van man

The P1 V70s are pre Vida dice

Quite a few P1 V70s are compatible with Dice and Vida.
It comes down to the combination of model year engine and ecu. One of my Dice and laptop buyers diagnosed an ABS fault on his P1 V70.
Even the odd 850 and S70 can benefit from Dice and Vida.

[Roderick Plinge]

Originally Posted by christheancient

It took some doing finding a good place for me as well.

Then...

I found a local indy Volvo guy not far from me (and since then, I've moved even nearer to the place). And, what a garage. They love Volvos and have always come up trumps for me - whatever I've wanted/needed doing. And at sensible prices.

Can you find a nearby indy within reach? Or do you really come from that Carthage?

Haha!! No Cheshire...just next door to Carthage! Thanks for the reply. My local garage are brilliant and very helpful, also honest and trustworthy and professional. I only asked Wrightson's as they are a 'specialist'. My local garage (MLG Kingsley, Cheshire) have a couple of legends there who are used to working on vintage stuff, so I am sure they will sort this for me. They also rib me constantly for the long list of "old Volvo's..." I have owned!!

[VivaLaVolvo]

Originally Posted by Roderick Plinge

Haha!! No Cheshire...just next door to Carthage! Thanks for the reply. My local garage are brilliant and very helpful, also honest and trustworthy and professional. I only asked Wrightson's as they are a 'specialist'. My local garage (MLG Kingsley, Cheshire) have a couple of legends there who are used to working on vintage stuff, so I am sure they will sort this for me. They also rib me constantly for the long list of "old Volvo's..." I have owned!!

If your local garage is MLG then you can't be too far from me. I live in WA6 area. Small world.

If MLG can't resolve it then try Deeside Motor Centre. Not especially cheap but they'll find the problem and fix it for you.

[Roderick Plinge]

Originally Posted by VivaLaVolvo

If your local garage is MLG then you can't be too far from me. I live in WA6 area. Small world.

If MLG can't resolve it then try Deeside Motor Centre. Not especially cheap but they'll find the problem and fix it for you.

Many thanks. I am sure MLG will sort it, but I will contact Deeside Motor Company if they can't find a solution. Other than the present problem, which is not a major issue (but definitely needs fixing soon) the car runs great. I bought it as a non-runner with the intention of selling it, but I just think its too good to sell. If I sell it I have simply bought a car, fixed it, and sold it on for probably zero, or very little, profit.

I advertised the car for £950 on eBay - I guess that this was a little steep as I had virtually no interest until I ended the listing early. But then I guess eBay users just want the best for nothing.

[Max HEADVROOM]

Originally Posted by cheshired5

Quite a few P1 V70s are compatible with Dice and Vida.

agreed.

my p1 v70 tdi could only have the dynamic pump timing done via vida

[DHutch]

I have just come across this thread as we have a V60 II which needs a service, and are based on the Wirral, making this garage , now "Wirral Automotive Services" our local Volvo indi, and infact the only Volvo garage on the Wirral.

My daily is an 23yo BMW E46 and I have had the same with issue as the OP with the local BMW indi (BM Wirral) really nice folk, but they focus on the newer cars and do not want to do sub frame bushes on a car that might need the boot floor welding, and to be fair I cant fault then. Everyone has their own niche and if you are running an older car it might not be the place to take it.

*I work in Runcorn too, so feel fairly local to you WA6 lot!


Cheers

Daniel