V50 repairs, service, specialist

[Andrew12345]

Hi I have a Volvo V50 diesel 2011 in the Stratford/Warwick/Leamington area. My brother suggested I come on here and ask if anybody knows any specialists in the area who give good repairs or services. Any info would be appreciated.
Andrew

[The Thong]

I’m not aware of anyone in the Warwick/Stratford area or more importantly anyone that’s any good. I’ve started using Horton Cars, just outside Bicester who are a renowned Volvo specialist. Other than that there’s Pye Motors in S Birmingham who I’ve never used but come recommended. I use Horton because they have courtesy cars. Sorry I can’t be more help than that. I use Tollbar Volvo for servicing and specialists for stuff like the brakes etc, the main agents want way too much money for simple jobs.

TT

[Brimfull]

Originally Posted by Andrew12345

Hi I have a Volvo V50 diesel 2011 in the Stratford/Warwick/Leamington area. My brother suggested I come on here and ask if anybody knows any specialists in the area who give good repairs or services. Any info would be appreciated.
Andrew

Not sure about the areas that you have mentioned but I know of Volssa Engineering in Derby.

[green van man]

I use my local dealer for annual service, but supply my own volvo specced oil .
Everything else I do myself.

Dealer annual service gives you any updates to the electronics and 12 months breakdown cover via volvo assistance. The updates are only available by live link to Sweden and the licence is about £2000 a year so very few non dealers have it.

In truth, while a bit more expensive I find the service costs reasonable, what I find a real rip off is volvo parts prices. Try £820 for a drive shaft, compared to a Shaft Tec factor part at £180.

Paul.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by green van man

I use my local dealer for annual service, but supply my own volvo specced oil .
Everything else I do myself.

Dealer annual service gives you any updates to the electronics and 12 months breakdown cover via volvo assistance. The updates are only available by live link to Sweden and the licence is about £2000 a year so very few non dealers have it.

In truth, while a bit more expensive I find the service costs reasonable, what I find a real rip off is volvo parts prices. Try £820 for a drive shaft, compared to a Shaft Tec factor part at £180.

Paul.

How much are the dealer services each year?

I understand that the price will probably vary each time with minor & major service depending on the miles.

Ball park figure... what's it costing?

[green van man]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

How much are the dealer services each year?

I understand that the price will probably vary each time with minor & major service depending on the miles.

Ball park figure... what's it costing?

£200 ish, the big ones are the 5 and 10 years service when the belts are done. You can of course tell them not to and contract the work elsewhere but you must remember to tell them before they start.

I got caught for 20 odd pounds because there was no record on the volvo system of the brake fluid having been changed on my last service. There would not of been, as I do it myself every 2 years. Lesson learned and next year there will be a listough of things that do not need doing so please do not as I will not pay for them.

My car is not washed at service time either by the garage, I pay no one £90 an hour to wash my car. As I said, I supply my own oil, Castrol A5/B5 0-30 as specified in the handbook. I bought 16 litres for £64 on the Internet, volvo charge £11+vat per litre so that would be £66+vat for 6 litres. Despite my handbook specifying Castrol my local dealer uses Fuch oil, bought in 45 gallon drums. Nothing wrong with Fuch oils, but its not on the volvo list of aproved oils in my handbook. Everyone needs to make a profit, fair enough, and most will not go to the trouble of supplying their own oil which is how they get away with it.

I tell the dealer I will supply my own oil and have done ever since I first went there, but again agree your terms before giving them your keys.
The choice is theirs, accept my terms or not see my car at all.

Paul.

[Brimfull]

Don't discount a Ford specialist as many of the V50 parts/engines are shared across the Ford range and there are a fair few more Ford specialists around compared to Volvo specialists.

[green van man]

Originally Posted by Brimfull

Don't discount a Ford specialist as many of the V50 parts/engines are shared across the Ford range and there are a fair few more Ford specialists around compared to Volvo specialists.

Indeed, and most of the parts on my xc70 have FoMoCo written on them.

Paul.