My wife and I just completed two months of driving around the US in our '05
XC90 V8.  We put over 12K on the car with absolutely no problems at all ---
fantastic road car.  Highway mileage ran 23-24 MPG.

We visited 5 Volvo dealers (4 for oil changes --- we change every 3750
miles --- and one to check out an "open gas cap" trouble msg).  FWIW, here's
our report on those five dealers' service operations --- this report is
being sent to each dealer, to Volvo USA (if they care), as well as to this
Volvo newsgroup.

1) Bill Pearce Motors in Reno, NV.  OUTSTANDING!  En route, we drove in
unannounced on a Saturday morning to have the 15K complimentary service.
They took us right in, did everything that was needed, including synthetic
oil, at no charge whatsoever (our local dealer, Mooer's Volvo in Richmond,
VA, charges extra for the synthetic oil).  In addition, they washed the car,
removing the heavy coating of dead bugs that had accumulated.  All this in
just a little over an hour.  If you're in Reno, this is where you want to
go ---  very accommodating and friendly.  We'd give them a 12 on a 10-point
scale. (6/24/06. Service Advisor 277 Jeffrey Maciel)

2) Neftin Westlake Volvo in Thousand Oak, CA.  FAIR. We had an early morning
appointment here for a mid-service oil change.  They took several others
ahead of us, even though we were the first ones there when they opened.
Consequently, we waited around for over 2 hours for the oil change.  They
didn't wash the car.  Total charge was $82.67.  We'd give them a 5 on a
10-point scale, and next time might try the dealer in nearby Calabassas.
(7/26/06 Service Advisor 6057 Robert Muzio)

3) Smothers Volvo in Santa Rosa, CA.  EXCELLENT.  Again, en route and
unannounced, we stopped in early morning because we were getting a trouble
msg that the gas cap was not secure (although it certainly seemed to be).
They took us right in, did a variety of checks and found nothing amiss, so
reprogrammed the computer and that took care of the trouble msg.  It took
about an hour.  Very friendly and accommodating.  No charge (warranty). We'd
give this dealer a 10.  (8/2/06 Service Advisor 37 Alex Ruiz)

4) Borton Volvo in Minneapolis (Lyndale Ave), MN.  UNACCEPTABLE.  Before
leaving Bismarck for Minneapolis, we made an appointment for the following
day for the 22.5K service.  When we arrived we were told that this was a
major service and that they couldn't do it for about two weeks.  We suspect
that since this was a complimentary service (and in fact not a major one),
they just didn't want to be bothered with it.  They were not at all
accommodating, and as a result we had to do some re-routing to make an
appointment with a dealer who would handle this service (in Madison, WI).
We would give this dealer a 0 on a 10-point scale and strongly advise you
tpo stay clear. (8/10/06 Service Advisor UNK --- 30's something female)

5) Fields Jaguar/Land Rover/Volvo in Madison, WI.  OUTSTANDING!  We arrived
for a mid-morning appointment and they took us right in and did the 22.5K
service with no problem or delay.  We were there a little over an hour.
They washed the car, and there was no charge at all.  Very friendly and
accommodating.  This dealer had just bought the local Volvo franchise from a
nearby dealer (SMart Volvo) about 10 days previously, and now handles Ford's
Premier line (Jag/LR/Volvo).  Good clean operation.  If you're in Madison,
go there.  They get a 12 on the 10-point scale. (8/11/06 Service Advisor
Michelle Gratz).

Dave Rawson
mdrawson@cox.net