Trusting Dealership service dept in Boston / North Shore area
#1
08-31-2010, 11:51 AM
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Trusting Dealership service dept in Boston / North Shore area
Virtually every dealership in the greater Boston area has mostly bad ratings.
I have a valid claim for warranty work that is listed as part of the Federal regulation requiring the catalytic converter be covered for 8 yrs or 80,000.
Every dealership in the area has mostly horrible ratings and those that are favorable smack of having been written by the dealership themselves.
I am at a loss as it would seem by judging from the reviews that one enters the lion's den once you bring your car into their place. I did not buy my car from a Volvo dealership so I don't have that bargaining chip.
replacing the cat is expensive and I am fearful that they will look for/create virtually any addition problem to help make up for that warranty-work. I think I have everything else in place for making a claim.
Anybody had good experience in the Boston area with a dealership service depts.? Would it help if I have them perform an oil change or something that needs to be done soon? Sweeten the pot so to speak? But so expensive.
Thanks in advance,
Derek
I have a valid claim for warranty work that is listed as part of the Federal regulation requiring the catalytic converter be covered for 8 yrs or 80,000.
Every dealership in the area has mostly horrible ratings and those that are favorable smack of having been written by the dealership themselves.
I am at a loss as it would seem by judging from the reviews that one enters the lion's den once you bring your car into their place. I did not buy my car from a Volvo dealership so I don't have that bargaining chip.
replacing the cat is expensive and I am fearful that they will look for/create virtually any addition problem to help make up for that warranty-work. I think I have everything else in place for making a claim.
Anybody had good experience in the Boston area with a dealership service depts.? Would it help if I have them perform an oil change or something that needs to be done soon? Sweeten the pot so to speak? But so expensive.
Thanks in advance,
Derek
#2
08-31-2010, 01:26 PM
Boston Volvo Village is really good. They have helped a bunch on Swedespeed members with there R's as well as the online community with diagnostic and parts help. If I lived out that way I'd take my sar there.
And keep in mind, they only people that report anything are the ones that are angry for some reason. Happy customers rarely report how happy they are with a place.
And keep in mind, they only people that report anything are the ones that are angry for some reason. Happy customers rarely report how happy they are with a place.
#3
08-31-2010, 02:20 PM
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#4
09-01-2010, 12:29 PM
Boston Volvo Village is really good. They have helped a bunch on Swedespeed members with there R's as well as the online community with diagnostic and parts help. If I lived out that way I'd take my sar there.
And keep in mind, they only people that report anything are the ones that are angry for some reason. Happy customers rarely report how happy they are with a place.
And keep in mind, they only people that report anything are the ones that are angry for some reason. Happy customers rarely report how happy they are with a place.
#5
09-03-2010, 01:05 PM
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Thanks again for the suggestions.
I took it to Boston Volvo Village, and interestingly enough, I did not have to battle over the Federal catalytic converter Warranty 8/80,000. They agreed that it had failed and would replace it.
BUT!
They claimed that the muffler flange that attaches to the cat is so rusted that the whole muffler must also be repaired at the same time, since there would be no way to reattach it to the new cat. To make matters worse, their was the added claim that the muffler on that year is one piece and so I cannot simply replace the front muffler (the cheapest of the two mufflers) but rather the whole thing at $1,060 dollars. Wow! (2003 S60 base)
Then they "discovered" that the rear main seal is leaking though I hadn't appreciably lost fluid: $1,600. I can always have that service performed elsewhere, I suppose.
Some of this seems legit, but I can't help but feel that they are fishing for ways to offset the cat. If it is on the up and up, I suppose I have to suck it up as I don't want to simply jump on the Nasty Dealership Train (though is is tempting).
Again, I apologize for my paranoia, but this is getting to the point of a loss cause, and I want to make sure that I this is all legit. The car is in pretty decent shape and some of this seems the result of routine operation (just all at the same time). I have a feeling that the previous owner just bailed on it after the warranty ran out.
Is it conceivable that the muffler situation is as they presented? There seems not to be an alternate route there since they must perform the cat work.
Thanks in advance for your time and consideration.
I took it to Boston Volvo Village, and interestingly enough, I did not have to battle over the Federal catalytic converter Warranty 8/80,000. They agreed that it had failed and would replace it.
BUT!
They claimed that the muffler flange that attaches to the cat is so rusted that the whole muffler must also be repaired at the same time, since there would be no way to reattach it to the new cat. To make matters worse, their was the added claim that the muffler on that year is one piece and so I cannot simply replace the front muffler (the cheapest of the two mufflers) but rather the whole thing at $1,060 dollars. Wow! (2003 S60 base)
Then they "discovered" that the rear main seal is leaking though I hadn't appreciably lost fluid: $1,600. I can always have that service performed elsewhere, I suppose.
Some of this seems legit, but I can't help but feel that they are fishing for ways to offset the cat. If it is on the up and up, I suppose I have to suck it up as I don't want to simply jump on the Nasty Dealership Train (though is is tempting).
Again, I apologize for my paranoia, but this is getting to the point of a loss cause, and I want to make sure that I this is all legit. The car is in pretty decent shape and some of this seems the result of routine operation (just all at the same time). I have a feeling that the previous owner just bailed on it after the warranty ran out.
Is it conceivable that the muffler situation is as they presented? There seems not to be an alternate route there since they must perform the cat work.
Thanks in advance for your time and consideration.
#6
09-03-2010, 01:11 PM
#7
09-03-2010, 03:07 PM
I have a great shop but if your North of Boston its a bit of a drive.The place is call WCSAutomotive the phone # is 1-781-871-1337 its in Rockland,MA but at those prices its worth the try.http://www.wcsautomotive.com/ i would give them a call.Also if the Cat /Exhaust is really that bad Great a aftermarket exhaust and do it your self the Vovl exhaust is all put up with hangers and its got to be one of the simplest things to remove and replace on this car.I don't know if your car is a Turbo but either way you can for sure get a better exhaust for less check http://www.swedishautoparts.com/S60/...S60-parts.html or http://www.fcpgroton.com/ If its a Non-turbo and if its a Turbo check OB on Ebay great turbo back Exhaust for $399 all are Great after market parts sites and don't know anyone that has had an issue with any.You and a friend could swap out an exhaust in an hour or 2 even if your not a car guy.Its very easy.
Last edited by MYS6T; 09-03-2010 at 03:20 PM.
#8
09-03-2010, 06:24 PM
My reply is in bold to keep it all straight...
Thanks again for the suggestions.
I took it to Boston Volvo Village, and interestingly enough, I did not have to battle over the Federal catalytic converter Warranty 8/80,000. They agreed that it had failed and would replace it.
BUT!
They claimed that the muffler flange that attaches to the cat is so rusted that the whole muffler must also be repaired at the same time, since there would be no way to reattach it to the new cat. To make matters worse, their was the added claim that the muffler on that year is one piece and so I cannot simply replace the front muffler (the cheapest of the two mufflers) but rather the whole thing at $1,060 dollars. Wow! (2003 S60 base)
Do you mean the resonator, The one in the middle just past the CAT? Just cut that one out and add a straight pipe. It's called a resonator delete, just google it (also search JRL Mod). You'll see what I'm talking about. I did it on my OEM exhaust and then on my Ferrita exhaust.
Then they "discovered" that the rear main seal is leaking though I hadn't appreciably lost fluid: $1,600. I can always have that service performed elsewhere, I suppose.
Have them show you the leaking. Or take it into another shop to have them look specifically at the Rear Main Seal for verification.
Some of this seems legit, but I can't help but feel that they are fishing for ways to offset the cat. If it is on the up and up, I suppose I have to suck it up as I don't want to simply jump on the Nasty Dealership Train (though is is tempting).
IIRC, the way it works with any warranty claim, is the independently owned dealerships file the claim with VCNA and get paid from them.
Again, I apologize for my paranoia, but this is getting to the point of a loss cause, and I want to make sure that I this is all legit. The car is in pretty decent shape and some of this seems the result of routine operation (just all at the same time). I have a feeling that the previous owner just bailed on it after the warranty ran out.
Like I said, take it to an indie shop and have the stuff verified that BVV told you.
Is it conceivable that the muffler situation is as they presented? There seems not to be an alternate route there since they must perform the cat work.
If the CAT back portion of the exhaust is too bad for the resonator delete or to work on at all, go aftermarket. You can pick up a quality exhaust from EST, ViVA or iPd for about half the cost of an OEM exhaust.
Thanks in advance for your time and consideration.
I took it to Boston Volvo Village, and interestingly enough, I did not have to battle over the Federal catalytic converter Warranty 8/80,000. They agreed that it had failed and would replace it.
BUT!
They claimed that the muffler flange that attaches to the cat is so rusted that the whole muffler must also be repaired at the same time, since there would be no way to reattach it to the new cat. To make matters worse, their was the added claim that the muffler on that year is one piece and so I cannot simply replace the front muffler (the cheapest of the two mufflers) but rather the whole thing at $1,060 dollars. Wow! (2003 S60 base)
Do you mean the resonator, The one in the middle just past the CAT? Just cut that one out and add a straight pipe. It's called a resonator delete, just google it (also search JRL Mod). You'll see what I'm talking about. I did it on my OEM exhaust and then on my Ferrita exhaust.
Then they "discovered" that the rear main seal is leaking though I hadn't appreciably lost fluid: $1,600. I can always have that service performed elsewhere, I suppose.
Have them show you the leaking. Or take it into another shop to have them look specifically at the Rear Main Seal for verification.
Some of this seems legit, but I can't help but feel that they are fishing for ways to offset the cat. If it is on the up and up, I suppose I have to suck it up as I don't want to simply jump on the Nasty Dealership Train (though is is tempting).
IIRC, the way it works with any warranty claim, is the independently owned dealerships file the claim with VCNA and get paid from them.
Again, I apologize for my paranoia, but this is getting to the point of a loss cause, and I want to make sure that I this is all legit. The car is in pretty decent shape and some of this seems the result of routine operation (just all at the same time). I have a feeling that the previous owner just bailed on it after the warranty ran out.
Like I said, take it to an indie shop and have the stuff verified that BVV told you.
Is it conceivable that the muffler situation is as they presented? There seems not to be an alternate route there since they must perform the cat work.
If the CAT back portion of the exhaust is too bad for the resonator delete or to work on at all, go aftermarket. You can pick up a quality exhaust from EST, ViVA or iPd for about half the cost of an OEM exhaust.
Thanks in advance for your time and consideration.
#9
09-04-2010, 01:09 PM
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Thanks again everybody...
The difficulty of this decision is that the cat will be replaced for free by BVV, so in order to have that work performed free of charge, I must replace the exhaust at the same time, so I can't use aftermarket parts or perform the work myself, nor have an indie shop perform the work. Saving money on the cat and paying for muffler at BVV perhaps offsets what I will pay for aftermarket cat, and mufflers and installation (I live in a densely populated area and can't use the street for repairs of this kind, and thus don't even have adequate jack and risers etc...)
So I am likely out $800-1,000 at a minimum either way.
The aftermarket muffs are going to cost around 500-700 for front and back and if one adds to that an after market cat we will be ca, $1000 dollars in total anyway. That is without installation.
See the dilemma? I gather that I will be sinking some cash in the near future.
Are there better quality after market pipes that BVV (or any dealer) will install?
They will only install volvo parts, huh?
------------
regretting my purchase more and more... In my 20's, in Colorado, I had a 1972 144 and 1973 145 after that. They had their troubles, but I always felt capable of tackling smaller things myself and was supplied by a great specialty store that consisted of hundreds of junked volvos and their parts. I also had one of the most honest and decent volvo specialists as a mechanic:
Anybody know of Artie (the Brit) who was in Lakewood, CO? My fondness for Volvo's stems from those experiences and I am finding that there is nothing like that in the Boston area (that I know of)
The difficulty of this decision is that the cat will be replaced for free by BVV, so in order to have that work performed free of charge, I must replace the exhaust at the same time, so I can't use aftermarket parts or perform the work myself, nor have an indie shop perform the work. Saving money on the cat and paying for muffler at BVV perhaps offsets what I will pay for aftermarket cat, and mufflers and installation (I live in a densely populated area and can't use the street for repairs of this kind, and thus don't even have adequate jack and risers etc...)
So I am likely out $800-1,000 at a minimum either way.
The aftermarket muffs are going to cost around 500-700 for front and back and if one adds to that an after market cat we will be ca, $1000 dollars in total anyway. That is without installation.
See the dilemma? I gather that I will be sinking some cash in the near future.
Are there better quality after market pipes that BVV (or any dealer) will install?
They will only install volvo parts, huh?
------------
regretting my purchase more and more... In my 20's, in Colorado, I had a 1972 144 and 1973 145 after that. They had their troubles, but I always felt capable of tackling smaller things myself and was supplied by a great specialty store that consisted of hundreds of junked volvos and their parts. I also had one of the most honest and decent volvo specialists as a mechanic:
Anybody know of Artie (the Brit) who was in Lakewood, CO? My fondness for Volvo's stems from those experiences and I am finding that there is nothing like that in the Boston area (that I know of)
#10
09-04-2010, 02:31 PM
#11
09-04-2010, 06:22 PM
use the OBX $399
http://forums.swedespeed.com/showthr...ap-OBX-Exhaust
This is a link for 100+ guys that have used the OBX and it it cost about 1/2 and its a better than stock exhaust .
http://forums.swedespeed.com/showthr...ap-OBX-Exhaust
This is a link for 100+ guys that have used the OBX and it it cost about 1/2 and its a better than stock exhaust .
#12
09-06-2010, 07:52 AM
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Thanks MYS6t,
All those OBX parts that I saw, appear to be for R series or Turbo. Mine is a base 2003 s60.
Also dealership wont install non-genuine parts when they replace the cat. Again, it all has to be replaced at the same time. I wouldn't feel right about cat-delete path that some have suggested in other posts.
It is beginning to seem like the overall cost to me would be around the same whether I buy aftermarket cat and exhaust or let dealership repair cat for free under warranty and I pay for genuine exhaust. Sh!*, Damn, F???!!!
I mean... Argh!
All those OBX parts that I saw, appear to be for R series or Turbo. Mine is a base 2003 s60.
Also dealership wont install non-genuine parts when they replace the cat. Again, it all has to be replaced at the same time. I wouldn't feel right about cat-delete path that some have suggested in other posts.
It is beginning to seem like the overall cost to me would be around the same whether I buy aftermarket cat and exhaust or let dealership repair cat for free under warranty and I pay for genuine exhaust. Sh!*, Damn, F???!!!
I mean... Argh!
#13
09-06-2010, 08:39 AM
#14
09-06-2010, 11:04 AM
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No,... Or I don't think so because the muffler is so rusted at the flange point that it could not be reattached to the Cat once they replace that. They showed it to me and it does look pretty bad.
I don't know if I could replace the muffler first and then have them replace the cat, but I think it rust issue will be the same either way.
I don't know if I could replace the muffler first and then have them replace the cat, but I think it rust issue will be the same either way.
#15
09-06-2010, 03:22 PM
#17
09-06-2010, 05:23 PM
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Take it to (shop around) a muffler shop. They can put on after market parts or weld you up a custom exhaust for a fraction of the Volvo price. Better move fast Platinum is going up and so will your new CAT, after market or not.
Manu Noypi
I'm curious about the problems you've had with your Volvo, please tell.
Manu Noypi
I'm curious about the problems you've had with your Volvo, please tell.
#19
09-06-2010, 08:34 PM
#20
09-06-2010, 10:55 PM
how about a picture!?
No,... Or I don't think so because the muffler is so rusted at the flange point that it could not be reattached to the Cat once they replace that. They showed it to me and it does look pretty bad.
I don't know if I could replace the muffler first and then have them replace the cat, but I think it rust issue will be the same either way.
I don't know if I could replace the muffler first and then have them replace the cat, but I think it rust issue will be the same either way.
it's that a picture is worth a ..... you know.
cheers
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