[eleven24]

Anger is an understatement. Here's why: Yesterday my wife drops off her 2004 Volvo XC90 in for it's 37.5k checkup. Logic would dictate that since it's a leased vehicle, Volvo wants it back in pristine condition so all service interval checkups will be at no cost. All prior checkups were no charge, so I assumed this would be the same.

I assumed wrong. My wife is given a price of $349 when she drops the car off. THREE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS for a 2 year old car still under lease.

So this is the second issue I've had this week with auto dealers (the first being my E90 which arrived on 1/29 but is still sitting at the VDC Port in NJ because they're waiting for a new tire). While angry, I figured that the $349 probably covers an expensive HEPA filter. My current E46 needed one replaced, and it wasn't cheap. Angry as I was, I make a mental note and swear to never buy Volvo again.

Then my wife calls me. She tells me the service manager is insisting she needs the front brake pads replaced ~ quote: $249. I'm not arguing the front brakes need replacement, but $249. HE also says she needs new tires, and she does. ~ quote: $849.

Decline on both. I'll get them myself.

When she gets home she gives me the bill. They charged her $455 for today's "checkup". All parts were charged extra, and the $349 is just labor. What did they do? Good question - I thought the same, so I checked the owners service manual which details the 37.5k checkup. Ready? Check this out (and keep the $455 price in your mind):

- Check/replace all fluids. Replace Oil + Filter. Check battery level. Check/replace wiper blades. Check tires. Check brakes. Check/replace all filters. Reset service interval indicator.

That's it. All for $455.

So I immediately grab the phone and call the service manager. He starts giving me the "Sir, these vehicles are much more complicated than you are making them out to be". Probably because I told him right off the bat that he charged me $455 for something I could do in my garage in 30 minutes. This went back and forth for 15 minutes, until I finally told him that if this is how Volvo rapes their customers I'll stick with a real car manufacturer next time and buy my wife a BMW.

His reply "Sir, I understand your point".

Today I'm calling the sales manager at the dealership, in addition to contacting Volvo USA.

And if I don't have my car by the weekend (which will be 2 weeks sitting at the VDC) I'm going to go postal. Arrrghhh!!!