Hi, It's my first time here. We just bought a 2002 S60 last week, primarily for my 17 year old to drive back and forth to school. Yesterday it started smoking and stinking. It's got a 3-month warranty. Had it towed to a nearby independent shop where friends have had foreign cars worked on. The air conditioner bearings have gone bad and the compressor has to be replaced. The warranty holder will pay only for a "re-manufactured" compressor at about $300 plus. We can pay the difference to get a new part for $644.26 or a reman part from a source the mechanic says is much better than average for $585. I'm guessing we should just swallow the extra cost of the new part, but would like thoughts from any of you more experienced folks. We did have a trusted mechanic check out the car before we bought it. Is this something he should have found if he tested the air conditioner? (By the way, we are not a mechanically inclined or talented family, so won't be installing anything ourselves...) Thanks for any suggestions you might have.

 

Remanufactured parts are generally fine. See if the part comes with a warranty and what it covers.

 

^^hes right, alot of em come with a 1-3yrs warranty.
Also, you can check scrap yards, Its not a huge issue, from what ive seen in forums and personal experiences so some scrap yards might have a good condition part.

And, ask if they do a casting, meaning they take the old part and give you a discount off the part your buying.

They tend to do this with Alternators alot, its worth a try

Best of luck

 

You would be surprised how may cars have reman. parts and have NO CLUE! I think a reman. compressor is fine, especially if they are paying for it. Just make sure to ask what the warranty is once it is fixed for the new compressor! Hopefully they will get you 12 months/ 12,000 miles!