I 100% agree with your comments on Chapman's (good guys!) and I was in no way trying to flame them for making a buck. Everybody has to eat!
That said, you can save a boatload of $'s pulling your own parts (of course if the right inventory exists). The massive gap between dealer new parts pricing and ...

Thermostat was replaced July '09 (90,000 kms ago) with a Volvo part #271664.
I think it is fine and car warms up quickly plus temp is rock solid from -10'C to +30'C. But that is significant time and mileage so I'll do it this week along with MAF and heater core and o-rings. Process of elimination...

My 1999 V70 XC with 354,500 kms has corrosion in same place but not nearly as much as yours - on driver's side but right side is clean.

Are the aluminium rear subframe cradles interchangeable?
I gather from the responses so far that V70R and V70 XC subframes are interchangeable?

If so, Surrey, BC ...

Thanks to all for the input!

Yes, instarx, you are correct that I converted to Imp gallon vs. US gallon.
See how us CDN's get 20% better MPG just by being north of the border? 1.0 Imp gallon = 1.2 US... Never mind...

On a straight free way type trip the average goes down considerably to 9.5-10.0/L ...

1999 V70 XC Canadian car with 354,555 km. I have been working extensively on it to catch up on maintenance and return to "stage 0".

My Combination city/highway mileage is coming in at 13.4L/100km (+/- 21 MPG) driving it real easy.

My son's 1998 V70R is averaging 11.6L/100km.
My three previous R ...