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Sorry for double post, I hit enter by mistake.
Anyway, bought my 99 S80T6 for my wife with 24K on it about a year ago. After about 1 week of ownership, it wouldn't shift out of 1st gear. Had it towed to dealer where they replaced some solenoids in the trans, made some software changes, and flushed it, then it worked again. Also, had ball joints replaced and front end aligned (warranty covered this), took 2 weeks. Then it went about a month or so when the emmission service light came on. The dealer downloaded some software and sent me on my way. Another month went by and then the coolant level light came on. I checked the coolant tank and it was dry. Filled it up, light went out. 2 weeks later the light came on again. Brought car back in to dealer, this time they changed radiator due to a leak (warranty also fixed this). Bought new tires $200 ea! Ouch! Also needed an alignment again due to pulling to right $100, put new brake pads on the front. About 2 months go by and the emmission light came on again. Took it to an independent Volvo shop to have it looked at. They said their computer couldn't read the codes because the car is too new. Recorded what they could find and told me to come back if it happens again. A few days go by and the emmission service light comes on again. Take it back to the independent shop to look at, they change my oil and air filter (only 1K on a fresh change of synthetic oil), charge me $120 reset the computer and tell me to take it to the dealer. Get my money and new oil back because I didn't want a service in the first place, I wanted the emmission service light looked at (duh). Took it to the dealer, this time it was a mass air sensor and an EGR valve. This time I had to pay because not in warranty anymore, $500. Took car to BMW dealer to trade it, they chuckled and offered me 20K for it! Decided to give it another chance. Just this week, battery light came on and battery was not being charged. Charged battery, drove to dealer (lost 4 hrs of work to do this). While on the way to the dealer the ABS warning light came on. Service cut an invoice, paid for my rental car. Rental car agency on site, asked me if I own an S80. I replied I did and they acknowledged lots of people have problems. I'm getting good experience driving all sorts of rental cars while mine is in the shop. No wonder this car is so safe, it's always in the shop! Drove to work. Dealer called me at work and said I need a new battery and an ABS control box (the latter for $650). They also said the reason for the battery going out was due to the aux horns I had hooked up causing a discharge to the batt. BS,it only pulls when activated through a relay when horns are activated. I said I doubt it was the battery because it is not being charged (alt voltage lower than batt voltage activates light). I figured the low battery might be why the ABS light came on too. They say no way tell until new battery replaced, BS. I said put in a new battery and call me. They call and told me that all the lights went out. I said great because I am going to pick it up and trade it for a Honda. Picked it up, paid for the battery, $150. Went to start it up and the battery light was on again. I counted to 10. I asked them why the battery light was on when they told me it was out and they said because the alternator is not charing. Well, duh, that's what I told them what was wrong when I dropped it off, now I'm soaked for a new battery. I asked why would an alternator go bad after just 60K in miles, they looked dumbfounded while smirking knowing that the car is a pile of c_ _ p. Got my rental car back. Different rental rep asked me if I own an S80, I asked him how did he know. He said lots of people have problems with those cars (deja vu!) So now I am waiting for the alternator (which is wasn't in stock) to be installed which will cost another $500. I voiced my displeasure of owning this car and they said something about giving me a phone number to call back east. I said why don't you call because I am the customer, why do I have to call?! Oh, they called tonight and said I could pick it up in the morning and that they gave me 10% off too (Oh, thank you so much!). They also said all lights are out and it works good so you can sell it! Hope it works long enough without problems to get to the Honda dealer like I should have done before buying this pile. I suggest any of you that own one of these to get rid of it before it does this to you!
My dealer is Calabasas Motorcars in Southern California.
One other thing, did any of you know that a car returned due to the lemon law can be resold? Just talked to a friend of mine a few weeks ago who bought the exact same model car (don't know if it was from Calabasas or not) and that it was returned to the dealer due to this law. They resold to my friend who got a pretty good discount, but were still able to resell it! So he bought it for what he thought was a good deal. I told him to get rid of it,it's a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Thanks for letting me vent.
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