Right. The A/C in my '95 850 is getting a bit feeble. It still blows
cooler than the outside air vents, but it's not really up to cooling
down the car on a hot, sunny day. OK. I go to my Haynes manual, where it
advises that I get a re-charge kit, R-134a, 'available at any auto parts
store'. Fine.

I go on-line and start looking...and damned if I can find such a thing
anywhere in Europe (where I live; duh). There is a wide selection in the
US--but not here.

Is this because the (stricter) European environmental protection laws
don't allow it? Have things changed since Haynes wrote their book
(1999)? Do I have to take it to a shop and pay through the nose to have
a 'professional' <ha ha> re-charge the gas under 'controlled' <ha ha>
conditions?

(If any Finns are reading, I would be especially grateful for your
comments; minä olen Tampereella.)

cheers,

Henry