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Comments
Overall, I have been very happy.
I guess I am rather disappointed.
It is just a shame that such an expensive car can be a lemon.
I'm not sure what you mean by "completely dismantle", but that sounds severe.
I've not heard of anyone having failure of all electronics except for what's necessary to start the engine.
Hope they find what's wrong. You can check www.nhtsa.dot.gov
to see what they have in their lists. Maybe someone there had a similar problem?
Good Luck!
Just engine/tranny. Also the T6 gets the speed sensititve steering and the 2.5T doesn't
Aluminum was dropped due to very low order levels.
If there is some fold-down ability, can you explain that?
Thanks!
The third row does in fact fold down and creates an even plane with the back storage platform.
The headrests "collapse" or fold forward. The "seating platform" slides back.
The "seating back" folds down.
I believe that the seating platform slides back as I have only had the third row in working position once in the 6 months we've had the car.
The regular back seat, or second row has the collapsable headrests and folds down without any need to slide back the seating platform.
Also..... get the baby carrier that has a base that 'levels' as the second row seats do have a base that slopes back a bit.
Anybody out there hear of this??
As for reliability, we've had the vehicle for 5 weeks and no bugs at all, not even a squeak.
Also does anyone have experiences with the “pick me up in Sweden” purchase. Well I guess that is a question for a different forum
scott
I received my car back last Friday, 6/4 and it has been fine. The problem was in the wiring system. Apparently, all of the electronics in the car are designed in a series pattern, versus a parallel circuit pattern. As a result, if one plug/adapter goes out, then everything after that goes out. They found the faulty plug in the rear of the car, under the back storage compartment.
To find this faulty plug/connection they removed the entire dashboard, all of the seats and part of the rear carpeting. They did all of this prior to finding out the source of the problem. Originally, they thought one wire somewhere in the thousands of wires was broken somehow. They actually had to call a regional tech in from Volvo, who has some advanced technical equipment, to find the problem.
Anyway, I guess all's well that ends well.
As all these people will tell you, I am a huge proponent of the european delivery.
The Good:
There are a dozen different dropoff locations throughout Europe.
Volvo has an 800 number for every country that is available 24 hours a day if you get into a mess (I used it twice: Once to find a gas station between Dresden and Berlin at 11:45pm. Second to find a dealership to confirm my cracked windshield received on the autobahn).
Nice shipping timeline...Dropped my XC off in Brussels on November 14, Shipped on November 24, arrived at the Chicago dealership on December 18.
They fly you into and out of anywhere!
The Bad:
Plotted my trip out myself and wasn't as dialed into the ferry schedule as I initially thought.
Gothenburg is nothing special, I suggest flying into Copenhagen and staying a night there, then taking the train to Gothenburg (3 hours).
Directions to the dropoff point in Brussels could have been better.
No 'shuttle program' to get you from the dropoff point (in Brussels at least) to an airport.
The ugly:
Gas is 4 times more expensive.
Dangerous tropical coral reefs in the English Chanel
Other SUV's w/ a GVWR over 6000 lbs include the BMW X5 and the Mercedes ML
Is the price you pay in US a price you negotiated with the dealer or is it a Volvo set fixed Price.
How was your service in the US after you came back. I.e. does the dealer look at you as one of his customer that bought the car from him or are you a stranger.
When specifying the car, did you have the same options as you would have if you bought it and taken delivery in US or do they have more or less choices??
European insurance. Did you use Volvo or your own insurance to cover you there?
- There is a price that you pay for overseas delivery and then Volvo cuts you a check for $2600-$2800 after the purchase.
XC90 T6 5 doors 7 seats w/ sunroof - 40,565
Black Sapphire Metallic - 450
Premium Package - 1,300
Climate Package - 595
Versatility Package - 1,675
Mudflaps - 40
Inclination Sensor - 85
Total 44,710 (Overseas price)
Aftermarket DVD in the headrests and looped into the Stereo system was an extra 2,300.
- Dealer 'eye'
I had actually already bought my coupe from him and if you throw in the fact that I am in the heart of the 'nice midwest' my salesman has always makes a point to say hello to Lisa and I when he sees us at the dealership. Even calls on occassion to see how we are but I think that is indicative of Mark and not all salesmen.
- Same options.
The wood steering wheel was an extra $300 for the 04's but managed to get mine thrown in for free.
- Volvo Insurance
Volvo insures from pickup to 14 days after delivery in the US. The transit on the boat is under different insurance. (Vovlo Ins. to Boat Ins. to Volvo Ins. to mine 14 days after delivery). Cracked the winshield on the autobahn which was replaced at the U.S. dealership after delivery. Paid for the whole thing then got reimbursed 70% by the Volvo insurance.
- 800 Number in service.
Traveling from Berlin to Dresden saw a HUGE gas station with 15 miles to go til empty and 11:45 at night. Pulled in. No one spoke English and all they had (on over 12 pumps mind you) was deisel and kerosene. Called the 800 # for Germany and he spoke with the manager of the station. Found a GAS station 15 miles from me on the backroads and had the manager draw out a map for me. Then he called the gas station and asked them to stay open for me. Got there at 12:10, filled up and was off.
Next time caught a rock on the autobahn and it cracked the winshield. Called the 800 # and they directed me to a dealership. Again they translated to the manager of the service area what I needed. Got a letter from the dealership that said I cracked the windshield while driving (as opposed to on the boat or on the truck from port to Chicago) and that was that.
The letter was necessary in order to determine which insurance takes care of the damage (Volvo or cargo carrier).
Quick turnaround on the 70% reimbursement.... about 2 weeks after the fax.
We're headed to Sweden in a couple of weeks to pick up our XC90. The benefits are that it is usually cheaper than just about any deal you can get over here - including Ford's X-Plan (although the current incentives seem to be about equal to or slightly better than the OSD price); there are two free tickets to Sweden and one night stay in Gothenburg (Volvo will occasionally run specials with side trips to London, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, etc.); free insurance for two weeks with the option to buy additional time (it is very unlikely your personal auto insurance will cover you in Europe); free shipping of the vehicle to the U.S. The down side is that from the time you order the vehicle to the time it is in your driveway can be as long as six months - we ordered our vehicle in March, paid for it last week, will pick it up at the end of the month, and it will probably arrive in September. Many people can't or don't want to wait that long. If you can, it is a good deal and an amazing vacation.
Volvo's website has the prices and available options for OSD.
I'll be interested to hear when you receive your car in the states. It is quite possible that your delivery time is more delayed than mine due to the fact that my trip was in November and that the shipping routes may not be as 'booked' at that time.
Was the $44,710 total before or after the $2,600-$2,800 check Volvo cut? How much do you figure you saved versus buying an identical XC90 from your dealer? Did you find that your dealer was well-versed in setting up the over-seas delivery? Please advise. Thanks.
I am also known here as a very active cheerleader for the OSD.
I've done it once in 2000, getting S80 and going to Gothenburg again in two weeks at the same time as bsk to pick-up an XC90 AWD 2.5T.
I am a bit confused with the "complex" calculations for the OSD price by schuhc and all that deal with Volvo cutting checks back to you.
The OSD prices are published on the Volvo website, they are better than the dealer's invoice, and, considering two free tickets to Europe, better than any deal I hear or read so far.
The price for the configuration described by schuhc will be $41,890.
It seems to be close to what he ended up with $44,710 - $2,800 = $41,910, but it is what you pay up-front. There is no need for the negotiations here. You print the price list from Internet, go to the dealer of your choice and ask him to fill-up one page OSD order form, using the figures from the internet.
The price for OSD is several hundreds dollars bellow the dealer's invoice (based on configuration). The base price is about $700 below invoice, but the options are priced at MSRP with OSD.
One of the major benefits of OSD is much better option selection. There is a lot of options that you can get a la cart with OSD that available as a package domestically (heated seats), or not available at all (speed sensitive steering on 2.5T)
And two round trip tickets ($2500 from LA in June) help to sweeten a deal, plus the fact that you drive your own car and save a bundle on the rental.
In my particular case, where I will travel for 3 weeks, and with the rental rate for the midsize SUV of $200 - $250 per day - you can do the math.
My dealer in LA was very well-versed in OSD. They do quite a few OSD sales and they have a dedicated sale person to handle the paperwork. Though this paperwork is very simple.
Its a fixed price.
I'm basing the delivery time for my vehicle on what others have reported who have previously picked up their vehicles in June or July. I think it might have to do with the fact that a lot of the country practically shuts down in July, but I don't know that for a fact. I'm trying not to get my hopes up and am not expecting my vehicle until September at the earliest (about six weeks after I drop it back off in Gothenburg).
Do it on your own. It is really easy. All the information is available on the Volvocars.us - Financial services - Overseas Delivery.
Do your homework and price a car with the options you want, using the PDF file from the website. Call Volvo of North America to verify if there is a quota for the Overseas delivery available. They also will provide you with the list of participating dealers in your area.
Then go to the dealership and ask to fill the OSD order form up.
You will need your driver license, SS card (I am not sure about that) and the Travel Passport, as dealer will also create a Power of Attorney which enable Volvo to handle all the custom and shipping tasks on your behalf.
For me it was much more fun than to hassle with the sales person over the price.
I paid cash on both occasions, so I did pay approximately one month prior to the delivery date. For instance, this time I have paid on 5/22 for the delivery I take on 6/29.
The travel agency that handles your free tickets and a night in Gothenburg is very good and accommodating.
I am now seriously looking at getting the Volvo that way.
Thanks for mentioning the WEB site I have gained a lot of information by logging in.
I might not be able to get to Sweden until September But by then the 2005 should be out. Does anyone know of any major differences between XC 90 2.5 2004 & 2005. (AWD)
I've been pretty fortunate with my salesman as he consistently looks out for me. I am of the thought that every dealership has 1 salesman that also specializes in the OSD but I may be off on that. My salesman is just outside of Chicago and tends to get a majority of the OSD allocations for Chicago-land. He tells me, and I actually believe him, that he was able to get an extra XC90 slot for me after he sold an 03 S80 and an 03 V70 on the OSD. He knew we were looking but also knew that I wanted the OSD and it took him about 6 weeks to line up a slot for me. Paperwork in May of 03, delivery in November 03, US delivery in December 03.
Volvomax - Where do the checks come from if they do not come from Volvo?
Steve, Host
More questions to come.
thanks
2. This is actually very advantageous for Volvo
a. Volvo still sells a car with the profit and this is guaranteed pre-order sale
b. Dealer pays on terms - you pay up-front, Volvo saves because of the better cash flow management
c. Volvo gets some tax breaks from the Sweden government for bringing tourists to the country
d. Volvo pays some money back to the dealer for every car sold. They do not pay them to you, etc., etc.
3. Options are different (there are more options with OSD)and more flexible.
4. Yes, you can - basic 2.5T AWD or FWD with 5 seats.
5. Yes, with the discounts the US prices now are getting closer to the OSD. But the total package, that includes two round trip tickets, ability to drive your own car abroad and some other occasional incentives beats anything you can find here.
But I might be off here. It would be nice to hear from someone familiar with all the import/export laws.
When it comes to the tax breaks, I've learned that Volvo participates in some government running program in Sweden, when I was taking my first delivery in 2000 in Gothenburg.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2004-06-13-volvo-v-8_x.htm
The only reason I can think of that you would have gotten a check back was if you were overcharged for the car.
Volvo doesn't do rebates on the OSD cars.
OSD cars are considered new because they are sent w/ the MSO.
Some states will let you register them as used depending on how long the car is in Europe.
This was one drawback for me purchaing the car. I think if the xc90 had better performance I would own it already so I do see a need for the V8.
Thanks
Then Finacial services - Overseas delivery - Cars in program - XC90 - and then - "Click here" in the bold font brings up the PDF file with the prices.
http://www.volvocars.us/NR/rdonlyres/A2AE8504-E9D5-45B3-ADCB-A65E- 5C179913/130147/TourMC31XC90.pdf
Great question; I'm in a similar boat with a 4 year old and a 2 year old. Love our Britaxes (4 of them - 2 for each car!), even if they are rather pricey. I haven't seen much on the Volvo booster seat, except in the accessories catalog. Surprisingly, the pictures don't exactly make it look like it is up to what one would expect from Volvo safety standards, but I haven't seen one in person. Have you looked at the bigger Britax seats?
I was trying to trade a Ford F-150 when I has ordered my first OSD Volvo S80 4 years ago. It was in the showroom condition. The offer was so ridiculously low, that I did not even talk about it. I have sold it to the private party four-five month later, when I had my Volvo already for almost twice as much.
I have researched other Britax seats. One similar to the Roundabout which is called the Husky and a true booster seat (there are several models). I prefer the Husky because it uses the 5 point harness system since the booster requires the usage of the passenger seat belt. I really don't want my active son to be able to unbuckle himself out whenever he wants (I have other friends whose kids do this). Only negative I have noted about the Husky is its size. I have not yet gone to a store to try it out in the Volvo.
Any comments out there?
Great name, by the way (that was my favorite dinosaur many, many years ago).
When you say "Volvo 2nd row booster" do you mean the integrated, center booster on the XC90 or one of the boosters available through as an accessory for any Volvo? I assume you're talking about the integrated seat.
Our second row real estate will already be used up, too. We have a Roundabout and a Marathon in each car. The Marathon is not much bigger than the Roundabout (it is in between the Roundabout and the Husky), but will accomodate children up to 65 pounds and 49 inches tall (the Husky goes to 80 pounds). I'm hoping the Marathon will continue to work until the 4 year old can use the integrated center booster - although I'm not sure about him sitting right next to his 2 year old sister!
The alternative to the Marathon is the Wizard, which adds Britax's new side-impact protection wings. However, some kids do not like how the headrest curves out.
The Britax Husky is an absolutely mammoth seat. It is physically large and heavy. It is very comfortable and well-padded. However, please note that it does not have EPS foam like most of the other Britax seats have, just comfort foam. Other Britax seats try to pad the areas around the head with the type of foam used in bicycle helmets.
The Husky works great for us because our son is on the higher side of the growth chart and we like keeping him in the five-point harness. Less opportunity for mischief.
The new Britax booster also has side-impact protection similar to the Wizard.
That all said, supposedly integrated booster seats are preferred over standalone boosters by many CPS techs. Less chances of something going wrong, and Volvo does an excellent job with the booster.
As to "why a V8" in the XC90, I think a better question is "why the T6"? It appears to me from my test drives and research that the T6 offers marginally better performance than the standard 2.5, but with a significant MPG penalty.
On a recent trip from Pittsburgh to Niagra Falls and back, my brother in law averaged 13 mpg in his H2, his brother in law averaged 18 mpg in an XC90 T6 and their business partner averaged 22 mpg in an X5 4.4i (new, 325 hp model). And the XC90 T6 is closer to the Hummer H2 (i.e. very slow) in acceleration than the downright quick X5 4.4i.
If we end up getting an XC90 when the 2005 models come out, it will likely be a 2.5, because, like you, I think it's powerful enough for everyday SUV duty. But at least the V8, presumably with a 5 or 6 speed transmission (as opposed to the dinosaur 4-speed in the T6), will give us an alternative to consider. As it currently stands, I think the T6 is a complete non-contender. It's still not as quick as an MDX/Pilot, get's poor gas mileage, and, at least for me, carries the stigma of costly turbocharger repair and maintenance risks. At least with the 2.5, there isn't even a temptation to "push it".
A final consideration for me will also be further research into the longevity of the turbocharged 2.5 (and T6) engines in SUV applications. I have heard a lot of speculation and some actual anecdotal evidence that the high vehicle weight and low RPM stress that occurs with SUV's will result in premature turbo burn out and other mechanical problems for an engine that was really designed for lightweight passenger car applications. Even the service manager at my local Volvo dealership has privately advised me against the XC90, IF I was looking for a "heavy duty" SUV - i.e. doing a significant amount of boat towing, off-roading, or really rough winter driving. His wife drives a Volvo V70, but their heavy duty SUV is a Landcruiser. He hasn't seen too many XC90's in need of turbo or engine repairs yet, but most of the XC90's they sell are driven by soccer mom's with light duty applications. Our use of the XC90 would fall somewhere in the medium duty range. He thinks the Yamaha V8 will be a very good alternative, with lower maintenance requirements, vs. the T6. He still contends that the Vovlo suspension and 4WD system are not as competent in heavy duty applications as the Landcruiser or GX470 (other vehicle we are considering), but should be more than adequate for medium duty.
Turbo "maintenance"? There is no such thing.
Change your oil and service the car properly and the turbo will last as long as the car does.
Run it as hard as you like.
The XC90 is not a rock climber, but it is a competent off roader. If your going to tow more than 5000 lbs or engage in serious off roading the XC90 may not be right for you.