Broeux,

I respectfully disagree with your statement. The research I have done while shopping for a new car, revealed that the noise S80 owners hear, is the indication that the vehicle has defective front subframe bushings. Volvo issued the following Service Bulletin to its dealers on the subframe bushing defect:

Section 2, Group 21, Number 0030, Year 00, Month 04

The bulletins states:

"A knocking noise may occur when driving at low speeds on uneven road or at sharp turns, can be caused by one of the rear subframe bushings moving in the subframe. The knocking can sometimes also be felt in the floorboard under drivers feet."

Affected Vehicles:

Model S80, Factory 1, Chassis Nos. 000580 - 137346

That's 136,766 vehicles!

Volvo wouldn't have issued service bulletins or tried to develop several "fixes" for what you classify as an "annoyance". Obviously, they are aware that the subframe bushings are defective, since they aren't doing the job they're intended to do -- to locate and isolate the front subframe from the unibody. There isn't any evidence that vehicle safety ISN'T affected by this defect. The way the front subframe behaves in a frontal collision certainly has an affect on occupant safety. Perhaps the o-ring fix worked on your vehicle, but I've read posts from owner's of 2001 and older S80s, who still are having problems with the front subframe bushings. It is irresponsible for Volvo, a company that has built its reputation on safety, not to have developed a properly-engineered solution to a safety-related defect. Personally, I wouldn't feel safe driving such an automobile!

I have also learned that Volvo now specifies a different subframe bushing for the left-rear subframe location. Obviously, there is a inherent problem with the car's design or the way it's manufactured.

Also, I don't want to be a "Guinea pig" for Volvo while they are trying to sort-out the problems with the S80. I don't think that anyone spending over $35,000 for a car should have assume the role of development engineer... I already have enough to do!

Thanks, but no thanks, I'll spend my hard-earned money on a properly-engineered automobile!