$10,000 S80 Challenge Topic is solved

[pgill]

Bert,

Your user name here on MVS is exactly what I had in mind when I started this thread.

Kids V70

I see that your V70 is a 2002 this thread is more P3 focused, but the fact that you've gotten to page 7 indicates to me that you are possibly interested in a P3

I wrote this on another forum but it is relevant to the P3 3.2 (and the 3.0T as well but if you are looking for safe and inexpensive Volvo I would look at the 3.2)

I did write this thread about my S80 but it applies equally well to any front wheel drive P3 with the 3.2

Copied from a different board - specific P3, 3.2 information

The way that I think about it is this.

- The Thermostat is a known failure point at ~10 years

- Failed Thermostats can lead to coil pack failures

- Failed coil packs can lead to misfires and Catalytic converter failures

- And in severe instances a failed Thermostat (or possibly failed radiator fan) can lead to head gasket failure

For me it is easier to just replace the Thermostat and the Radiator Fan.


Assuming that you agree with the proactive approach then I think the P3 is a very inexpensive vehicle to own.

Thanks

Paul

PS I am going to reply again to address the $.10 / mile question

[pgill]

I've owned the S80 for two years now and my total vehicle cost is shown below

Total Vehicle Cost (excluding, wheels, tires, fluids and filters)

$7400 --- Purchase price
$62.53 --- (31401556) --- Booster O-rings
$40.35 --- (DENSO 5344) --- Sparkplugs
$58.28 --- (LR006071) --- Thermostat
$00.66 --- (LR001505) O-ring for 30713530
$24.29 --- (30713530) --- Coolant hose
$68.85 --- (31272677) --- Oil Filter housing
$18.92 --- (LR006076) --- Idler pulley
$18.92 --- (LR006076) --- Tensioner Pulley
$08.97 --- (PK060473 CONTITECH) --- Aux Belt
$112.70 --- (LR021634) --- Motor Mount
$23.24 --- (30680474) --- Torq Mount
$15.76 --- (UD1306) --- Front Brake Pads (Amazon close out price, typical price is ~$75)
$523.23 --- AC repair
$43.37 --- Overdrive pulley ProParts Sweden 28436803
$323 ---- Radiator (Prem Air type)
$281 --- Radiator Fan (Siemens / VDO)


Total $9091

If you only include the repairs and not the purchase price or depreciation then I've spent

$1691 to drive 20,000 miles ($.09 per mile not including depreciation)


If you look at a website that shows True cost to own they will include a lot of different costs

For my challenge I have excluded most of these costs

Excluded costs

Insurance
Taxes Fees
Maintenance
Financing
Fuel

These costs are included in the challenge

Included Costs

Repairs
Depreciation


Looking at Edmund's for a 2014 S80 3.2 (5 year cost)

Repairs $6178
Depreciation 71% (I paid 7400 for my 2010) $5285

Total = $11,463

That's not too far above my $10K target

And if I am proactive with the Maintenance I think I can beat the $10K target.

[pgill]

I did search for quality parts but also to minimize cost I used Land Rover parts or aftermarket parts from the OEM vendor

Here is the MSRP from Volvo for the parts I replaced

$75.24 --- (31401556) --- Booster O-rings
$116.29 --- Sparkplugs
$131.20 --- Thermostat
$28.24 --- (30713530) --- Coolant hose
$218.36 --- Oil Filter housing
$83.27 --- Idler pulley
$138.11 --- Tensioner
$66.02 --- Aux Belt
$182.8 --- (LR021634) --- Motor Mount
$23.24 --- (30680474) --- Torq Mount
$811.59 --- AC Compressor
$340.48 --- Overdrive pulley
$495.57 ---- Radiator (Prem Air type)
$537 --- Radiator Fan

Total $3211 (Volvo MSRP for the parts I replaced)

I only paid $1691 which is a 47% discount from Volvo Retail MSRP

There is no way this car would meet the $10K challenge if I went to the dealer to buy the parts.

And the $3211 is parts only the cost to install these parts would likely exceed the cost of the parts

Now I am wondering if I would recommend an older P3 to someone that is planning to have their car fixed by the dealer only.

[abscate]

10 cents per mile for parts only is good given you have had a couple of refurb items, rather than routine items

It’s more like 25 cpm for parts and labor

[pgill]

10 cents per mile for parts only is good given you have had a couple of refurb items, rather than routine items

It’s more like 25 cpm for parts and labor

Agreed

If you want to keep the cost down you have to do the work yourself.

I knew that I had saved some $$$ by buying aftermarket parts but I didn't realize how much until I looked up the Volvo list price


Thanks

Paul

[IronMike]

Hey pgill - figure I owed an update since my belt/pulley experience. So that actually went OK - my goal was to keep the car on the road as long as possible and that was almost a year ago! Although it's pretty old (same as yours) it only has 110k on the odometer and the dealer I got it from 2 years ago had just replace the entire A/C system. So over the past 10 months(!) since the start of Our Corona I thought I'd spend some time making some fixes on the 'ol guy. The only time I rode in an S80 before this was when I ordered a car service to the airport and the gent picked me up in one (I usually expect a Lincoln Town Car so was surprised). He said he loves driving it and they are great cars. Now I see why - even with age it rides so very smooth! Love the engine too. We also bought a 2012 XC60 T6 AWD and loving that as well, makes me want to look for an S80 T6 - great engine/power.

I've done plugs, oil, all the usual. It's been a good car, oddly fun to drive. However it's showing it's age...

The "gas strut" that returns the e-brake pedal back to position - doesn't. I removed the bottom attachment for the old one and it's toast for sure, but WHAT A PITA to replace! I still haven't done it, you have to remove dash parts, something I really hate doing. So I pull the e-brake all the way up by hand.

Right now I'm looking at a rusted flex pipe in the exhaust and rusted off bracket/tongs (which go into the rubber hanger donuts) - with 13 years on it, doesn't owe me a dime. Though, am I really looking at $1500 for replacement? Not sure the car is worth that investment, so wondering what others have done. Is that flex section replaceable even if it needs welding? I could just bring it to someone then, off the car.

[pgill]

Mike,

Don't give up you are on the right path.

I expect my S80 to be extremely reliable now that I've fixed the known issues.

I sent you this by private message but I will post it here for anyone else that is interested

How to repair exhaust flex pipe



If you get a chance post the part numbers for the exhaust hangers that you replace

I suspect that those hanger are likely to corrode if you drive somewhere that they put salt on the road

Take care

Paul

[pgill]

MVS Readers,

I found this video on YouTube that explains very well the reasoning behind the $10,000 challenge

Enjoy the Video.

"The Best European Car Ever Made (Better Than a BMW or Mercedes)" Scotty K.




Thanks

Paul

[abscate]

It’s a 30mday ban for posting Scotty on MVS, unless you can get the Immunity idol from June

[pgill]

MVS Readers,

Time for the next oil change

- Pennzoil Platinum Ultra 5W30

And ATF change (3 liters)

- Idemitsu ATF Type TLS (T-IV) Note: this is the first time that I used Idemitsu if I notice any change I'll post here

Here is the Odometer reading

My S80 is running extremely well

I also noticed that Volvo included a notch in the plastic cap for the oil filter. The notch is there to make removing the O-ring easier (I assume).

Here is a picture showing how I used the notch

Thanks

Paul