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I bought my S80 T6 from Volvo of Richardson, TX. Dealership is great. Problem is I now live in Austin. Volvo of Austin is not so good.
I have 10K miles since nov99 - mostly trouble free. Had the engine mounts changed and the door seal replaced. No other problems till I got the new Steely Dan CD and I started to notice some problems in the stereo.
Seems that during certain bass-heavy, quiet sequences, I hear a crackle in the speakers when I have the Dolby Pro-Logic engaged. I hear it less on 3-chan mode, but I still hear it.
Yes, yes, I checked this against some other CD's and it's still there. Just wanted to see if anyone else had this same experience. Hate to complain about this, but I love my Carlos and Walter and want to hear them sans crackle.
Also started getting some "pops" on the headliner during this latest hot spell (100+ in Austin). Any thoughts from this group on that or is that a Texas-only problem. I was guessing the temp-differential between the roof and the headliner was causing the problem, but who knows.
I'm still in love with my car. Customers and friends are suitably impressed and I'm crazy about the drive/handling/performance of the S80-T6. Made a huge mistake one time and had the car wash place put their idea of "New Car Scent" in my precious vehicle. How stupid was that!
Good luck to all.
luxbuyer, this crackling Dolby issue has been reported by a few other owners in the past as well. Early on, the repair was thought to be a replacement of the head unit. I'm pretty sure I used to experience this from time to time as well but haven't heard it in a long time now. I wonder if one of the software upgrades during a maintenance visit took care of it? Either way, I hope you can find a sympathetic ear (literally) at your dealer in Austin. If you can duplicate the problem for them then they should be able to tend to it. Back when I experienced this issue I stopped by my local dealer and couldn't duplicate it despite my best efforts.
Good luck.
-rdo
rdollie@home.com
I wanted to stay with the S80, just a different one. This did not happen hence my departure.
Better luck to all those who will stick with it. I for one will not drive a car that is sub-standard, particularly in the price range we are discussing here.
Regards,
JR
1. I Was driving on the freeway and was exiting to a ramp, where there was a traffic.
2. When slowing down, the following happened:
a. There was a lot of resistance when hitting the brake.
b. Have to floor it all the way to slow down and come to a full stop. Even that, the car still "jerking" forward, as if I am stepping on the accelerator and the brake pedal at the same time. At this time, RPM is at about 2000 and the car begin to shake.
3. Swtich the transmission to "P", but then the RPM goes up to 5000 and the car is shaking even more.
4. Turn off the engine, then turn it on back, then everythign "seems" normal.
This happened two days ago and the problem had crept up. Now it happened even when I am driving at low speed (on residential area, 20 mph or less). It always happened when I am slowing down to a full stop.
THe car will be take to tbe Dealer in 2 days (closed on Sunday and Labor Day) but I am wondering if anyone experienced or know what would be the cause of this problem. Thanks All!
like to share with everyone:
1. I Was driving on the freeway and was exiting to
a ramp, where there was a traffic light.
2. When slowing down, the following happened:
a. There was a lot of resistance when hitting the
brake.
b. Have to floor it all the way to slow down and
to come to a full stop. Even that, the car still
"jerking" forward, as if I am stepping on the
accelerator and the brake pedal at the same time.
At this time, RPM is at about 2000 and the car
begin to shake.
3. Swtich the transmission to "P", but then the
RPM goes up to 5000 and the car is shaking even
more.
4. Turn off the engine, then turn it on back, then
everythign "seems" normal.
This happened two days ago and the problem had
crept up. Now it happened even when I am driving at
low speed (on residential area, 20 mph or less).
It always happened when I am slowing down to a full
stop.
THe car will be take to tbe Dealer in 2 days
(closed on Sunday and Labor Day) but I am wondering
if anyone experienced or know what would be the
cause of this problem. Thanks All!
Mark
http://www.shipguide.com/eur2nam.html
Thanks,
Bravo
This is sound really bad to me. Now I feel like changing car. If Volvo Co. decided (after the diagnostic or whatever they need to do) to replace my car with a new one, I will ask for the money and I'll buy another one.
What do you think?
JR
Hate to bash those guys, but it drives me nuts when ANY dealership spends so much time on "quality audits" instead of focusing on good dealership practices. It's so simple. Take the word "no" out of your vocabulary. When dealing with luxury cars, there can be no other way.
Hello - Volvo dealers, are you listening??
Thanks for you comments. I intend to try both methods.
What I don't understand is why you are trying to make it sound like the S80 is the worst car on the planet and that anyone who buys one is in for years of headache and trouble (and must be stupid or something). I think you are wrong and I feel I should at least alert other users of this forum that other valid opinions (positive ones) also exist out there.
Personally, I am also baffled as to why rowlandj you must keep posting on this S80 forum and trying to sway people away from buying Volvo cars. Sounds more like a personal vendetta to me...
Anyway - I have a 2000 S80 T6 and I have had a very good experience with it. It isn't perfect, but I don't believe perfection exists anywhere on this planet either. Overall, it is simply the best car I've ever owned and I think its value is GREAT compared to a MB or BMW (I've owned 2 BMWs before).
So others that are new to this forum or are trying to decide on a new S80 (or not), realize that rowlandj's opinion (and mine included) should all be take with a grain of salt. I like my 2000 Volvo S80 T6 very much and want to remind everyone that there are many more happy owners out there (by far) than dissatisfied ones...
Several posts on this message board mentioned a bushing/O-ring replacement.
What is the difference?
Just curious.
RowlandJ does indeed have his knickers in a tight
wad over his ex-S80.
Our S80 T6 has performed wonderfully over the past
7 months, coming up on the 7500 mile service
interval.
We've had a few minor factory issues (the Radio/CD
player required replacing, and 2 interior trim
pieces needed replacing), and one self-induced
issue (inadvertently using metallic tint on the
rear window, mucking with the NAV system); but
overall - the S80 ranks on par with our vehicles -
to include our pampered baby - the 2000 MB E55.
So for prospective buyers of the S80 - I'd
heartily recommended you download all 5 sections of
the Volvo S80 thread, make a pot of coffee, and
settle down for some interesting, enlightening,
helpful, (sometimes bickering, but I scroll past
those poor souls), and always useful
tidbits that have come out of this forum.
Rowlandj - pack your bags and move on over to the
MB forum; you'll be more welcome there - and your
posts more apt to be taken seriously since you now
own the E320.
If you were in the Dallas metroplex, I'd welcome a
cup of coffee and a chance to sit down, away from
the keyboard to discuss the virtues - good and bad,
of both the Volvo and MB product.
At any rate folks - enjoy your car - no matter
what you drive.
Regards,
Phil
Used to post under philzornes (bland, not original) - now posting under TX_Behr...
Happy Motoring Folks!
Phil
Not all car manufacturers make perfect vehicles, however when they make a bad one they should stand up and do the right thing. In my case they didn't, and from what I can tell this is true for many others with this particular model.
I would have been more than happy to take another S-80 since I really did like the car, this option was never available to me. Instead I was treated as if I was the problem by VCNA.
So say what you wish here, I for one will never have anything to do with a company whose support of the top of the line vehicle is as poor as Volvo's.
Happy motoring to the rest of you - whatever vehicle you choose.
JR
Regarding the ball-joint, I have to plead ignorance. I was under the impression that this problem would manifest itself in terms of a steering feel (looseness) rather than noise, but don't know for sure.
I do know that what you describe sounds exactly like mine, especially if the pop seems to be coming from underneath your left foot position.
Hope this helps
Mark
The clunking/popping noise is unacceptable in a car in this price range. I have sent two registered letters to VCNA's new president and CEO, Mark R. LaNeve, which surprisingly, remain unanswered. As others have mentioned in this forum, VCNA's handling of this matter has been most unprofessional. I am surprised by Volvo's total lack of concern for the customer. Volvo needs to do what is right and repurchase or replace cars that they cannot repair. Perhaps the head of Ford's Premier Automotive Group, Dr. Wolfgang Reitzle, would be interested in the the goings-on at Volvo?
Below is a Reuters article that spells out what Reitzle is trying to accomplish with the Premier Automotive group:
Ford to Focus on Luxury Car 'Perfection'
7.55 a.m. ET (1155 GMT) May 26, 1999
DEARBORN — Wolfgang Reitzle, the new head of luxury vehicles at Ford Motor Co., said Tuesday he wanted to create an "obsession for perfection" in the world's No. 2 automaker's four luxury brands.
Reitzle, in his first remarks to U.S. securities analysts and investors since joining Ford in March, said he planned to keep the product and market identities of Lincoln, Jaguar, Volvo and Aston Martin distinct while using common parts among vehicle platforms to hold costs down.
Reitzle, former product development chief of German automaker BMW AG, is group vice president of the newly created Premier Automotive Group. He is one of several high-profile executives brought in to Ford since Jac Nasser took over as chief executive officer Jan. 1.
Nasser has said Ford wants to expand its sales of luxury cars and trucks worldwide to hit 1 million units sometime after 2000. Ford, which purchased the Volvo AB car unit in March, expects to have luxury unit sales of 750,000 by 2000. It had sales of 250,000 in 1998.
Reitzle said he wanted to inject a combination of emotion and engineering skill into all of Ford's luxury brands, creating vehicles that customers immediately recognized as Lincolns or Jaguars, for example. At the same time, he said, building the brands requires continuity and consistency, qualities that allowed BMW to become a dominant player in the luxury segment.
"We will focus on perfection," he said.
In my opinion, the "focus on perfection" regrettably doesn't exist at Volvo.
jmaze, I hope you have better luck than I have had.
Sincerely,
disappointed4
doubf2, it's definitely not you. I've got the most recent release in our S80 and the prior release in our V70 and the differences are just as was described here. My wife noticed it first. The newer version can be much more abrupt. I don't mind more terse instructions but it seems like I get less warning of upcoming turns as well.
I too would welcome a female voice although my wife would probably tell you that I wouldn't hear it!
Oh well.
Thanks.
-rdo
rdollie@home.com
This is the 4th Volvo in my family, from the 240, through the 850, 940T to this completely new era of S80, I have to admit that Volvo does not make perfect car, nor does any car manufacturer in the world. VCNA's indifferent response seems to be the cause of grieve to most of the existing or ex-S80 owners here but very luckily my experience has been almost all positive. I am a Mechanical Engineer myself and I certainly can understand that mechanical device have design flaws and sometimes experience unexpected failures, the key to success is to rectify the problems in a timely and professional fashion and to make changes so that the same problem does not occur twice.
I am very happy with my Volvo and after driving a BMW, MB and Audi, I feel that I've made the right choice. Whatever you've got, enjoy the fun of driving!
All opinions are welcomed, in fact, I'd like to have an array of opinions. I've never owned a Volvo before.
Thaxs, Guys/Gals!!
My Question:
I plan on getting non-metalic Madico tinting on all but the front window next week. I just wanted to check once more to see if anyone has had ANY radio reception problems with non-metalic tinting (because I REALLY enjoy the reception I'm getting now).
Thanks,
fwj
I had a similar experience. When I ordered my S80 T6 and left a deposit, the cold weather package was a standard feature. Nevertheless, I had the salesman specifically list the cold weather package in the list of options included in the negotiated purchase price. By the time I made full payment and/or picked up the S80, the cold weather package had become an option. When I picked up the car, the dealership had already warmed it up; it was a very cold day. I didn't notice the lack of the cold weather package until after stopping for lunch. This really up a damper on the joy I was experiencing upon picking up my first luxury car.
I immediately called the dealer. I was told that the cold weather package was now an option and I had not paid for it, and the salesman had not included that feature when placing the order. My response was that the cold weather package was included in the negotiated purchase price as evidenced by my invoice.The dealership and the national headquarters blamed each other. It took about a month and several rounds of letter-writing including a veiled threat of instituting legal proceedings, before I received satisfaction. I agreed to an upgraded stereo in lieu of the cold weather package.
Bottomline, if your option was explicitly listed on your invoice, you should ultimately prevail. You may want to check your state's law, but as I understand NY's law, the failure to deliver what you paid for is fraud. A veiled threat to bring the matter to the attention of the local consumers affairs office may go a long way.
Other than that, I have been very satisfied with my T6 and luckily have not experienced any of the problems described on this site.
Good luck.
I believe the recall is on early vin numbers from 1999 model cars.
I will have (Name) the volvo service manager give you a call or you can check with your service advisor. Call me at xxx-xxx-xxxx if you can't get through.
My question is this.. does anyone know if the recall applies to 2000 models also.. I have a 2000 T6.
Thanks
Scott
I had it for 6 months and I only took it to
the shop for 7 times.
Some problems can not be fixed by the dealer.
Steve Olson, California
You will enjoy the OSD program. The Elite Plaza is a great hotel. My wife and I stayed there the night we picked up the car(on Volvo) and the night before we flew out. They have a very good breakfast too. The airport is a good ways from the city, so I am not sure that staying at a different hotel will save you much time.
We went straight to Copenhagen, so cannot comment on a good place to stop. Be sure you get a hotel in Copenhagen that has parking! Many hotels in the city center do not have them, and the ones that do have small spaces. The S80 is almost too big for some of them.
Have a great trip.
I would like the folks who will pick up their new s80 osd in Nov. to tell us if they got any discounts in addition to the standard OSD price break. I got a $500 coupon discount when I got mine in Oct. 99. Thanks.
Javasea
I also use Volvo of Richardson. My car was in last week (picked up on the 8th) and when I asked them about the recall they replied that they didn't have much info. on it yet. When did you talk to them?
Thaks!
Thanks in advance for any advice.
"I received my 2000.2 NAV CD a couple of weeks ago
too..."
What is the 2000.2 NAV CD? I have a Nav System and have not received any updates from NavTech or Volvo... did you get this for free from Volvo or did you guys have to pay for a new CD from NavTech?
After touring southern Sweden and up to Stockholm and back down to Göteborg by way of Jönköping, we chose the Radisson SAS Park Avenue for our last night, just to see a different part of the city. It was nice but not as luxurious as the Scandinavia.
The trip from any of the good hotels to Landvetter will take about 30 minutes, assuming no unforseen problems--moderate or possibly heavy snow (improbable) is not likely to be a "problem," as all the taxis and "limos" around town are Volvos, many S80's, with traction control and experienced drivers. (If you get in a silver S80 2.9 driven by a guy who migrated from Turkey, is driving like Mario Andreti and talking about how he wishes he had a T6, give an extra tug on the seatbelt and brace yourself for an "interesting" ride!)
Our flight out the next morning was about 6:30 AM, and to be on the safe side we had the hotel arrange a taxi pick-up at 4 AM--we wanted time to turn in our tax-free vouchers for a refund (as it turned out, the refund counter wasn't even open until 6:00, and we felt a bit rushed to get to the gate for departure).
Note: Volvo told us they provide 2 ground transports: from airport, then back to the airport. In fact, we had them take us from the airport to the Scandinavia; the next morning we called them to take us from hotel to factory; and on dropping the car off, they took us to the Park Ave. We could have had them take us to the airport for the flight out, I think, but we felt we should not risk them getting a driver to our hotel at that hour and to the airport on time. We had the hotel arrange for a taxi (driven by a Hungarian, very pleasant and spoke excellent English). There was a light snow on the way to the airport. Got there at 4:30, had a light breakfast, waited over an hour for the departure. But, better early than late.
Generally the weather from Gothenburg south should not be too cold or snowy in early Nov., though one never knows. We drove all day in light to moderate snow from Växjö to Kalmar in mid-Nov.--with numerous side trips on back roads along the way--but the DSTC kicked in instantly every time the car began to slide the least, and put us readily back on course. And we also drove in snow from Jönköping back to Göteborg.
Well, I could go on, but at the risk of boring everyone else here. If you have any other questions I can help you with, feel free to email me at mrtsix@hotmail.com.
Broeux