Hi all...question....I am about to get the 15K service done on my S70...would it be wise to take it to the dealer...or an independent volvo service garage?....what is the average cost?....What is to be done?...In the service manual...doesnt look like much?.....Is there anything I should watch out for if taken to the dealer as not to get screwed?....I also need a coolant flush...average cost be the dealer?...thanks for all you help...lance


Volvo S70
silver/graphite leather
sport pkg.
Tampa,FL

It's a fairly minor service requiring a LOF, rotate wheels and replace your cabin air filter plus check fluids, etc. I doubt an independant would even know where the cabin air filter goes nor are they likely to find one aftermarket and most indys (if not all) use cheaper aftermarket parts from my experience.
If you then have any related warranty issues (most of our customers do), they won't do any of it at no cost to you so you'll be making another trip later to take it to a dealership.

As for your coolant, there's no need to change it for many years. Volvo says "never" and unlike ATF, the coolant DOES last along time w/o causing any problems. Our dealership usually (almost never) flushes coolant on FWD, all aluminum "white engines" because the coolant doesn't contact anything but aluminum thus doesn't degrade. Save your money on that.

The only thing my dealer did besides the usual oil change was to install a new pollen filter. All for only $150. Ouch.

Lance, many of things you can do yourself... checking fluids, cabin filter, etc. On the tire rotation, I purchased a lifetime rotate/balance for $9 tire from a major tire chain. Make sure they hand tighten and do not overtighten.

As a follow up to KC's point, I justed picked up the cabin filter for $20 including shipping through Volvocarparts.com (877-994-4272). And yes, it's a good product from Mann (made in Germany as many Volvo parts are). Literally took 5 minutes to change it (need an Allen wrench). Instructions are included or can be found at volvospeed.com (under repairs/maintenance and then filters).

I have checked with the local dealer and the cost for 15k service is $250.

I have checked with a local Volvo mechanic and he wants to charge $175.
This guy also told me that you have to take the glove compartment apart to get to change the Cabin Air Filter. The messages I have read in the newsgroups suggest that you just go behing the cowling on the passenger side and take out four torx screws.

I haven't decided which way I'm going to go on this yet.

Devnull, as mentioned in my previous post, it's a five minute job requiring the removal of four screws and slight lifting of the cowling. If your mechanic is suggesting that the glove compartment needs removal to reach the cabin air filter, he truly isn't familiar with late model S70s and should be avoided.