$10,000 S80 Challenge Topic is solved

[pgill]

All,

I've read thru quite a few posts on this message board and others.

And I have decided to see if a 2010 Volvo is as reliable as the Volvo's from the 1960's, 1970's and 1980's were know to be.

Here is the challenge

1. Buy a S80 sedan
2. Fix everything that ails it, including preventative maintenance for any common failures
3. Drive it for 10 years or 100,000 miles (My son will drive the car)
4. Keep track of purchase price and all maintenance (cost of parts only, labor is free)
5. Do it for $10,000 or less

Full disclosure, I've owned a Land Rover LR2 since new in 2008 and I do all of my own maintenance, the Land rover is based on the S80 and it shares a lot of parts so let's say that I am familiar with the maintenance/repairs required.

S80 purchased
2010 3.2 FWD, with heated seats front and rear, parking sensors and BLIS 125,000 miles $7400

First maintenance item

Repaired the Vacuum brake booster O-rings
Volvo Brake Vacuum Pump Repair Kit - Genuine Volvo 31401556 1 $62.53

More information can be found here http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic32282.html

Second Maintenance item

Replace 4 quarts of ATF (That is all that comes out if you remove the drain plug)

the Transmission is made by AISIN and I used AISIN fluid

AISIN.jpg (32.86 KiB) Viewed 12293 times

Cost $4.09 x 4 = $16.36


Replaced the spark plugs

Denso (5344) IKH20 Iridium Power Spark Plug

Cost $40.35


Replaced the oil filter housing plastic cap

The previous owner decide to remove the bypass valve, which means that the oil was by passing the filter.

I restored the function to what Volvo originally intended.

I think I know why the previous owner did this and I will document my fix here

Cost $0.00 (I already had this due to a part that failed on my LR2)


Replaced the engine oil and filter

Cost

Oil filter $4.21

Oil Mobil 1 0W40 $5.56 / qt * 8.5 qt = $47.26



Total cost so far

Purchase price 7400.00
Booster O-rings 62.53
ATF 16.36
Sparkplugs 40.35
Filter housing 0.00
Oil and Filter 51.47

Total 7570.71

Remaining budget 2429.29

Note: I've already ordered more items to fix, I will add up the cost after I install the parts

If you want more information about typical high mileage items on the 3.2 then take a look here

http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic32504.html



Take care

Paul

2010 S80 3.2
2008 LR2 3.2

[crlande]

How old is the son?

[pgill]

Thanks for the question

My Son is 26

And still living at home

But even if he moves out I’m certain he will come home so that I can change the oil, fix the brake etc...

For his first car I got him a $3000 Buick

Before that he had a bus pass

Thanks

Paul

[pgill]

All,

I did some more maintenance this weekend

Replaced the Thermostat (it was broken, I recommend that everyone replace theirs every 10 years)

Replaced the oil filter housing (due to a broken anti drain back valve)

Replaced a coolant hose

I did nearly the same work on my LR2 http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic32245.html

The parts are the same for the Volvo or Land Rover (The Engine used for both was built at the same factory)

Pictures of the fun

The last two picture show the Rubber disc and the hole that it covers to keeps the oil in the filter housing.

The entire housing is not expensive so I bought the entire housing.

The alternative was to fabricate a new disc to block the drain hole.

I'll update the cost number later this week

Thanks

Paul

[pgill]

Cost update
Total cost so far

Purchase price 7400.00
Booster O-rings 62.53
ATF 16.36
Sparkplugs 40.35
Filter housing 0.00
Oil and Filter 51.47
Thermostat 58.28
LR001505 0.66
Coolant 23.99
BOSH wipers 22.71
Oil Filter housing 68.85
Coolant hose 24.29

Total 7769.49

Remaining budget 2230.51

[matthew1]

I love this. I’ll contact you off the forum.

[abscate]

10 cents per mile for maintenance over 10 years?

No.

15 cents for parts, 10-15 cents for labor, minimum

[pgill]

Abscate,

The way that you are thinking about this is exactly right.

For the Challenge I am proposing

$.10 per mile for depreciation and maintenance

Labor is free, the assumption being that the typical member here does their own maintenance.

But you are 100% correct

10 cents per mile, that is the goal.


We will see if the S80 can pass the challenge.


Thanks for your post

Paul

[SuperHerman]

How has the LR2 behaved cost wise? Once out of warranty what has been its needs? Current mileage? After, if, 100K how has it been?

[pgill]

Herman,

Thanks for the questions.

My 2008 LR2 has 117,000 miles

Full disclosure: I bought the S80 because I am very happy with the cost for the LR2


I've owned it since new and I always used Mobil 1 0W-40 or German Castrol (if you know what that is)


Repairs Preformed

Starter motor - mine failed at about 100K

Battery replaced - at 4 years (Warranty) and again at 8 years

Power Steering Reservoir and fluid - I have to check my records but it was before 100K

Anti drain valve for Oil filter housing -




Preventative Maintenance

Thermostat housing - Replaced due to failures seen by others (Fell apart 5 minutes after removal)

PCV Valve - replaced at 100K due to failures experienced by others

Differential Pinion - replaced my Gear Oil with Mobil 1 Delvac and switched to a magnetic drain plug (50K)

PTU - replaced gear oil

ATF - replaced about 12 quarts between 50K and 100K

Fuses and Relays - replaced everything in the engine compartment

Cabin air filter - I will need to check my records

Coolant - replaced when replacing Thermostat

Sparkplugs - replaced at 50K and 100K

Haldex oil and filter - replaced before 100K

Motor mounts - replaced about a month ago



As you can see from the list most of the items are maintenance items not repairs.

The reason for this the cost of maintenance is small but the cost of a major repair will be significant.


Note: I am fully aware that if I keep the LR2 long enough I will get to replace the following

- Pinion Bearing in rear differential
- PTU
- Drive shaft (I need to add CV joint grease replacement to my list)
- AC Compressor
- Radiator fan
- Radiator
- AC desiccant
- Window regulators
- Overdrive pulleys
- R.E.A.D assembly
- Alternator
- Automatic Transmission

Right now my plan to is get to 20 years or 200,000 miles before I replace any of the expensive items.

Thanks again

Paul