My 2001 S80 Maintenance Costs - On Par?

StL_PoopyPants · Post by **StL_PoopyPants** » 19 Apr 2012, 11:18

Hey there,

I own a 2001 S80 2.9L and have done my best to keep up with the basic maintenance. Being a 11-year-old car and at 105K miles, it has never left me stranded which is awesome because I've owned some pretty crappy cars in the past. Even still, I'm a little paranoid about it breaking down. A few things have straight-up broken ($$$ window regulator thingy) but otherwise I've just been paying for maintenance required for an aging car. Approximately $300/month for repairs alone. That's kind of a lot for me.

The transmission isn't great but I flushed the fluids last year and I'm hoping it will last through the summer if not longer but there are a host of other things that could be fixed up (and run approximately $3000+):
power steering pump, regulator?, motor, whatever
new front brakes and rotors (would also like new tires)
lower motor mount leak
fuel filter replacement/fuel injection cleaned
brake booster
leaking heater core

I'm just blabbing now but I could probably get away with doing minimal work (like only replacing brake pads).

Just curious what others think, is this just par for the course? I'd like to join the Volvo high-mileage club but not sure at what cost.

Oh, and I'm mechanically-uninclined but have a great volvo mechanic who I trust.

Post by **matthew1** » 19 Apr 2012, 14:03

I think you answered your own question.

Yes, it's going to cost to drive it. Should you sell it? There is no blanket answer. Each person has his own threshold on what is "too much" for maintenance.

It's not good that you don't turn wrenches. It is good you have a trusted mechanic.

I hope this helps.

Post by **jkdjim** » 19 Apr 2012, 15:30

I worry about the car too, but I've had pretty good luck. My first realization of the problem is that it is a European car and there are expenses associated with that. Parts are often twice what they were for the Ford I had. Similarly, Volvo specialists are often more expensive than the usual shop. Most Volvo mechanics I hear about are "He's good but expensive, but good." Just diagnosing a problem seems to cost $100-$200 in labor sometimes.

Utilize these forums and you can figure out how to do a few things yourself. I did my fuel filter few months ago and it cost $20-$25 and 10 minutes of time.

$300/mo for repairs is higher than a lease or some car payments. However, there is no equity in a lease and there's the new line of credit/payment/higher insurance of a new car.

537playing · Post by **537playing** » 19 Apr 2012, 18:29

I also went througth the phase of replacing those parts that you mentioned. But for the last 45,000 miles I've spend only Zero dollars for repairs and still love the ride!

couicefleming · Post by **couicefleming** » 20 Apr 2012, 00:23

I paid approx. $200 while reached 115k+ km. Heard it's going to be $1500 for 120k mileage where you have truck load of things to change. Too bad.........
**I took my car to ex-volvo specialist who start his own work shop so price is on lower side. I can't imagine how much i'm gonna pay if send to authorized dealer..**

StL_PoopyPants · Post by **StL_PoopyPants** » 29 May 2012, 13:21

Just to update, cuz' I'm farting around at work, I washed and waxed my car over the long weekend in this miserable stifling heat and have a new-found appreciation for the bugger. I wish I could drive from the back seat! Anyway, I've bought just 2 new front tires since last post. I'm wondering tho, 1) is rotating tires worthwhile? and 2) what is the general consensus about going to a regular Joe Car Shop to have brakes replaced, provided I buy genuine Volvo parts for Joe to put on?

gmtgmt · Post by **gmtgmt** » 24 Jun 2012, 15:44

any mechanic shop can change brakes on car, If not they cant call them self mechanics!

brakes on a these are just like any other Ford, Toyota, Nissan or Chevy
By it from good relaible soruce like Ipd and other site supporter. Even go the dealer they arnt that expensive. just stay away from the Autozone/Napa stuff on these cars. OEM brakes on these last for 75000mils on normal driving. where cheaper made only last 30000miles.

Whats wrong with the brake booster? Havent seen one of these fail before

Again take the parts that really need ugent attension first like the Brakes, Tires and Power steering

nyurchak · Post by **nyurchak** » 25 Jun 2012, 06:37

okay, this post is blowing my mind. 105k! My dad's 98 s70 190k has had the car since new and I think the biggest repair he did was the struts. my 99 s70 has 121k and I and the previous owner changed the following: rack and pin, o2 sensor, abs module, 2 tire rod ends, 2 control arms. the prev owner did the r n p but i did everything else. granted I did do the repairs myself -and they weren't hard, I'm a 24 year old girl, but the most expensive part was the o2 sensor which was 140. 105k in a volvo is like 20k in a dodge neon. ha.

Post by **osman** » 25 Jun 2012, 10:33

As you have found out early S80's are very expensive to maintain (at least you dont have the twin turbo)

brad850 · Post by **brad850** » 27 Jun 2012, 13:04

Not sure about the S80, never had one. In almost all cases I favor a used car and putting money into it. I figure you buy a decent new car you are spending about 20K or more with a 5 or 6 year payment. So if you spent 300 a month on a volvo for even 18 months that is $5400, at the end of that it would probably be in pretty excellent shape and run another 10 years with nothing other than maintenance like tires etc and you would have that kind of maintenance on any car. So you spent $5400 instead of 25K, and you would have double the insurance cost with a new car too. Even with the high repair costs, you are still ahead.

Another thing is that a lot of the whole "volvos are so expensive" stuff is frankly bs. I have friends that repair their US made cars that spend almost the same amount. Yeah, you CAN spend more if you want to, a lot of it is either do it yourself, or use a non franchised - non dealer shop that is not looking to making it like new every time you go in. Spread out your repairs for what is really important.

I once bought an 96 850 na put tires on it and replaced the radiator and drove it for 2 years without any other costs. So if I discount the tires that was about $350 i think for the radiator work, I would say that is pretty terrific. So i am not sure if the S80 is just a more high maintenace car in general. I heard that the S70 that replaced the 850 was higher costs. For me I am sticking with my 850. Occasionally I am pissed at the repair cost, but I remind myself that I do not have car payment. I figure if I have a repair cost equal to a car payment 3 or 4 times a year I am still well ahead. Besides, I just think old cars are better.