It is a very nice looking Volvo dealership, right next to Mercedes, Land Rover, and Jaaaaaaag dealerships. Unfortunately, their service department seems very unprofessional.
Important: I didn't have any work done to my car at their place, my opinion is based solely on my interaction with them.
This is the story. Today I decided to go and see how much it would cost to replace the timing belt.
I spent there a whole hour and achieved nothing. The first thing I did was to tell them that my car was a 1994, which is the year they changed the type of belt and I wasn't sure which one it is. They were surprised to hear that there were different types of belts...That was my first warning sign.
I then explained that the car has the 2.4 five-cylinder non-turbo engine. I also gave them my engine number and VIN. After 10 minutes playing on the computer, the "Volvo specialist" asked: "Are you sure this is the original engine?" Of course I am sure! He says: The system shows that your car originally had a 3.2 straight-six 10-valve engine...
WTF??? Volvo never made such an engine! It is actually impossible - six cylinders and only 10 valves???
Thankfully, a mechanic came by and showed the "expert" where his mistake was.
With that settled, we started discussing the price. After 10 more minutes, they printed me a quote which looked surprisingly low. $750 for a timing belt and water pump change. I know for a fact that the parts alone are around $350. So I asked - does this include changing the pulleys and tensioners? "Hmm, let me check."
Of course it didn't. That price was only for the rubber toothed belt and water pump! So they added the tensioners - another $90. Which is again impossible! There are two tensioners and one pulley, and they alone cost at least $160.
At this point I was tired of their incompetence, so I left. I wonder if they do a lot of timing belt changes without changing the tensioners...And how is it possible that the guy in charge of the parts department is not familiar with the engine options on the 850, one of the most popular Volvo models?
In conclusion - I would advise anyone to avoid this place like the plague.
West Virginia - Charleston - Smith Motor Cars
Started by _HighVoltage_, Jun 03 2010 04:10 AM
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