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I've given up letting my volvo guy sell me the parts I need for my brick; he doesn't get them cheaper than I can and he tacks on his own fee to bump it up (not that I have a problem with that, I just don't want to pay it).
Any of a HUGE number of resources exist online that discount parts 50% or more. These aren't second rate parts but OEM goodies directly from the suppliers. These days I just analyze the work I plan to have done, buy the parts online myself, and deliver the whole kaboodle to the mechanic (when I don't do the work myself).
Try the following:
http://www.importeccatalog.com
http://catalog.thepartsbin.com
http://www.alloemvolvoparts.com
All use the same software but sometimes have different prices. As a sample, lets look at some prices for what you bought on alloemvolvoparts:
steering rack: you bought for $559.78. AllOEM has a Maval (M1000-48808) unit for $242.44 and a TRW (M1000-20842) unit for $341.97, both brand new.
pads: you paid $44.95 a set. In front pads AllOEM has PBR for $30.64, Pagid for $26.47, Dan-Block for $37.35, and Textar for $35.50. In rears they have the same brands with lower prices (from $16.05 for Pagids to $23.13 for Dan Block).
rotor: you paid $206 for the front set. AllOEM has five brands including ATE (Teves), Zimmermann, Brembo, Balo, ATE Power Disc, and generic. The most expensive is the ATE Power at $59.55 a disc.
balljoints: you paid $127.84. AllOEM's most expensive option is a TRW kit for $32.24 per ball joint.
shocks are dicey just because everyone's situationis different (nivs/no nivs, etc.), but I think I can safely say they would have saved you another $250 at least.
So, total amount you would have saved is about $690 or so in part costs... worth the effort of buying them yourself online, no? Contrary to what people think you don't HAVE to buy the parts from the mechanic.
good luck,
rt
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