Car was Stolen, and recovered. Topic is solved

[utilityaudio]

TL/DR: other than a Volvo dealer, where can I get new key remotes? closest dealer wants $160 per remote + $110 to program them. also, other than "the club" are there any good anti-theft devices?

I went out of town for three weeks, and kept my car at a friend's house in the 'burbs while I was away.

I get home, and my car was stolen two days later from where I had parked it on the street.

reported the car stolen, cops found it after about 5 days, and when I recovered it from impound it had some damage, but amazingly nothing seems serious, and nothing was taken (Bluetooth OBD-scanner, wrapped christmas present & folding cooler from the trunk, paperwork, cell charger, cassette-tape adapter etc.)

* Bumper was damaged
* Back panel of center console (with the rear cigarette lighter) was pulled out, and the part on the top where the hinge for the arm-rest/compartment is broken out.
* the button for the Hazard Lights was puled out of the dash but still works.
* there's a new metallic rattle coming from under the car (most audible when idling in reverse with foot on the brake)

the good news, if there is such a thing, is that it could have been much worse, and that Insurance is covering pretty much everything.

so, I'm looking for recommendations on theft deterrents stronger than just locking my door and not leaving things in plain sight.

[skloon]

Lucky, hopefully the insurance company wont' total it

[Ozark Lee]

On a '98 you can get the remotes and keys much cheaper than what has been quoted. Used remotes can be reprogrammed to the car but you need the PIN number to do it. Most import shops that do Volvo work have a Volvo Scan Tool and they can program a remote for about 15 minutes labor.

Shop around for a Volvo Dealer that has a parts website for the key. My old local dealer would cut them based off the VIN number for about $10.00 if I ordered through the website. Many of the Hendrick Group Volvo dealers have parts websites. They will require proof of ownership but you can eamil them a scan of the title in most cases.

On the '99+ cars you are stuck with the dealership and the software download scam to get keys and remotes to work but not so on the '98s.

...Lee

[kaneelschep]

First of of all nice that they found it back without serious damage!
Will your insurance cover the damage?

But for something offtopic;

Back panel of center console (with the rear cigarette lighter)

Did such a thing come standard for volvo 850? and is it allready prewired? I would really like that.

[utilityaudio]

Lucky, hopefully the insurance company wont' total it

Definitely not totaled, their estimate was just a bit north of $1k - deductible.

[utilityaudio]

But for something offtopic;

Back panel of center console (with the rear cigarette lighter)

Did such a thing come standard for volvo 850? and is it allready prewired? I would really like that.

No idea, this is my first Volvo. I'd never noticed it before due to never being in my own back seat.

It was definitely a "huh, that's interesting... But why would anyone rip that out?" when I saw it.

[utilityaudio]

On a '98 you can get the remotes and keys much cheaper than what has been quoted. Used remotes can be reprogrammed to the car but you need the PIN number to do it. Most import shops that do Volvo work have a Volvo Scan Tool and they can program a remote for about 15 minutes labor.

that's great news, other than eBay, where would you suggest that I search?

Many of the Hendrick Group Volvo dealers have parts websites. They will require proof of ownership but you can eamil them a scan of the title in most cases.
...Lee

I'll start with Hendrick's and see what I find. I don't need keys though.

Thanks

[Ozark Lee]

The remote keyfobs are usually about 30 deep on eBay but you need to sort them out to get the right one. VIDA shows the correct part number as 9166200 for a '98. They are typically about $20.00 to $30.00 shipped. Read the listing carefully since many of the listings are just for the shell.

...Lee

[j-dawg]

In the '90s, some Canadian cousins of mine were carjacked on the Detroit side of the Windsor border crossing. Their car was found, unharmed and intact, on the side of a nearby road a few days later. The cops suggested that the car was probably used for some nefarious business and then dumped when it was over.

A '98 Volvo sounds inconspicuous enough to use for such purposes. In that case, there really wouldn't be much incentive for the thieves to strip the car or even steal your stuff. Maybe that's what happened. If someone's gonna steal your car, that's pretty much the best-case outcome for you.

[utilityaudio]

The remote keyfobs are usually about 30 deep on eBay but you need to sort them out to get the right one. VIDA shows the correct part number as 9166200 for a '98. They are typically about $20.00 to $30.00 shipped. Read the listing carefully since many of the listings are just for the shell.

...Lee

fantastic, thank you for the part number, that's perfect!