05 s40 T5 FWD Maintenance/Repair What am I in for?

[smithbd]

Hello everyone!

I was hoping someone could shed some light on my new-to-me s40! Please answer whatever you can answer! (other handy advice is cool too!)

Here is the Background: 

We just replaced a totaled 04 s80 with an 05 s40 T5 FWD with 110K. Regularly maintained. Timing belt and water pump replaced before we bought it. I live in the Seattle area for reference on the estimate prices below.
Had the pre-purchase inspection done and the rundown with cost estimate is as follows: 

Both front axles are worn/leaking: $650 
Both front shocks leaking: $700
Transmission oil "dirty": $350 (can't seem to fish the dipstick out). 

I was told these would need to be addressed within the year. 

Less important: 
The washer reservoir cap was also missing (if anyone has an extra, hmu please <3)
The front passenger fender liner is missing (any ideas on how to snag one of these)

We also had a check engine light come on (right as we were leaving the mechanic) with the code:

ECM-611B: "Camshaft control, intake. Faulty diagnostic trouble code (DTC) Information."

We were told it was either the camshaft solenoid/timing valve or it was the cam gear or cam timing. They quoted us at 275 each for the solenoids and 875 for the timing gear if it was that. 
The Dealer replaced the solenoid (for 90 bucks (on him) and I haven't had it come on once since (Drove it in parking lot traffic, rolling traffic, and across washington state (two passes and over the plateau (definitely over the speed limit :P).
Camshaft shouldn't have any oil build-up issues because the head was replaced and they resurfaced. Can't have cruddy oil in there to do that. Plus the number of oil changes the car has had is impressive (a lot). 

My questions are: 

Did this mechanic way over quote me? 350 for an oil flush is about 100 over, and is not recommended by volvo either. It set my "rip-off" alarm right off.
Between myself and my immediate family, we almost make a full mechanic: How doable are these repairs/oil changes/atf changes? I can drive a few hours for access to a car lift. 

How worried should I be about the camshaft and associated mechanics? 
As far as the transmission oil goes, I don't have a shrink ray available to get my hand in there and snag the dipstick to see how "dirty" it is on a white rag, but the transmission doesn't seem to slip or anything. It did seem to "hesitate" from 0, but I've heard that's normal with the turbo. I'm not sure "hesitate" is even the right phrase, because it still accelerates without slamming into gear (no throttle body worries). No weird downshifts etc. I know the TCM adapts to your driving after 500 or 1k miles. 

Again any advice/answers/insights any of you have, I would greatly appreciate! I consider this a learning opportunity, so don't dumb it down too much! Being able to work on my car is important to me. 

Thank you all for your time!

 

[TryingBe]

I recommend picking a cheap repair manual at minimal.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/221247083115?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true

The full mechanic in all of you should be able to do the oil/atf/strut/strut mount/strut bearing. Ask your immediate family members if they have experience with those jobs.

Use only Volvo OEM or Lemforder/Sachs parts. Any cheap parts will likely not lasting long.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/Volvo-parts/S40/Shock-and-Struts?year=2005&e=2012&m=213&page=1