Independent Atlanta area shops?

[cyberwolf]

My wife and I have been agonizing over whether to buy a new SUV or keep her '02 V70. She has come to the decision that she loves the Volvo and hates car payments, so I am looking to pretty much restore it. Does anyone have any recommendations for Atlanta area shops? In particular, I want to fully refurbish the front end suspension and replace the stereo, which I think will require some programming. Besides that, the only other thing that requires attention is the interior, so any suggestions on that would be helpful as well. Thanks!

[abscate]

You can save a lot by removing the struts yourself and replacing with whole units. Labor not to bad and no crazy tools required.

Check the Mechanics Forum for local recommendations, of course.

[oragex]

local.google.com - check the reviews
stereo don't need programming, look for a HU-803 unit and the amp under passenger seat - under $50 from a scrap yard and you get a beast of a sound system (the amp is needed for the HU-803 to work)
for the suspension, struts, control arms, it's tricky because it is useless to get most parts sold by local store or worst by the garage itself, most don't last past 1yr. Sachs and Lemforder are in my opinion about the only decent quality options. See this thread
viewtopic.php?t=78559

[chrism]

cyberwolf,

I used to live Woodstock. I like Professional Automotive Repair in Marietta, on Lower Roswell near the south 120 loop. Although the name doesn't imply, they're the go-to Volvo shop in that area. A guy named Phillip runs the counter. They have another shop downtown in the Monroe/I85 area as best I recall, but I never used that one.

For used parts the easiest thing is either Voluparts or Auto Disassembly Volvo, they're both in the Howell Mill at Chattahoochee St area.

Good luck.

[cyberwolf]

Chrism - Excellent, that's exactly what I was looking for. I've noticed Voluparts and will look them up if I need used. I'll definitely check into Professional. Rocco's European is right around the corner from me, but they weren't too confidence inspiring regarding Volvo when I called.

Abscate - I've actually replaced struts, tie rod ends and control arms on this car already, but it never seems just perfect. They were all mid-price parts, but I don't remember the brands. Maybe I should just replace everything myself with better name parts.

Oragex - I get what you're saying about the stereo, but my wife would like to have bluetooth, etc. A double din touchscreen would make her very happy. My understanding is that the radio is part of the computer and needs to be removed via coding. My amp is actually okay, it's just the controls on the stereo that are going wacky. I also get what you're saying about parts. As I mentioned above, I replaced with mid price range parts in the past and they have not held up well. I'll keep an eye out for Sachs and Lemforder.

[oragex]

Careful removing the radio, the car battery has to be disconnected during the removal - google up
Not aware having to reprogram for aftermarket radio although some Volvo dealers will say so, they are not always right. The radio controls on the steering wheel won't be working. Correct, Volvo radios can't get Bluetooth, aux input, etc. As for the controls if talking about the sticky knobs I brushed them with hands sanitizer

[cyberwolf]

I swear I saw multiple place that the radio was part of the computer system and removal would cause error codes. Maybe I was dreaming that! Anyhow, the issue with the existing radio is not stickiness, but that it randomly changes stations or even inputs.

[ptV70]

"the issue with the existing radio is not stickiness, but that it randomly changes stations or even inputs."

I have been having the same problem with my 2005 V70 -- the unit stops playing a CD and switches to FM radio. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[abscate]

On the radio issue - if your CD is bad, the player will reject it and go back to the last mode you played, probably FM.

Try another CD known to be good and see if the problem is the CD or the player.