News

10 years & 82,000 km with my Volvo S60

27th July 2021, 15:59 by Rahul Nagaraj

She still looks fresh even after all these years and seems good to go for another 10.

BHPian psispace recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

10 years, 82000km Update

And so a decade has passed since I got my hands on this baby. How time flies! Feels like only yesterday that I had started typing the first lines of this thread. I personally never imagined I would be able to retain her for so long. The itch to by a new car was always there. The pandemic forced me to hold onto my resources a bit longer as the future still seemed a bit unpredictable. And I did not want the burden of a loan during this time. The reliability of this car meant that it did not warrant a new purchase either. Then there is the resale value proposition. Well, this has aged beyond where that becomes an issue. A new Creta is more expensive than what she is worth right now. But what she holds in reliability is invaluable. I’ve always felt a little sorrow when letting go of my old cars. If I had the space and the resources (i.e. the moolah), I wouldn’t have sold any of them. It would indeed be a very heavy heart when I part with this one.

Since her last service in May last year, she only required replacement of the left rear shock absorber (Rs. 16,000) and front ABS sensors (Rs.11,000).

Things were going smooth until November last year when we had a minor accident. I got rear ended by a container truck at low speed. The truck was parked on the opposite side of the road to take a sweeping turn into a narrow road on my side. I thought the truck was parked there and was passing him. The driver of the truck thought that traffic was clear and he started turning just as I was in his blind spot. He ended up nudging my right rear fender.

That fender is a single piece that goes all the way to the A pillar. That and the rear bumper had to be replaced. Removing the rear fender, supposedly disturbs the integrity of the beading holding the rear wind screen, and the demist wires running into it. Hence it was recommended that even that be replaced. My insurance company (Oriental Insurance) was okay with that. Glass parts were fully covered in my policy.

The rear window costs Rs 45,000; the rear fender Rs 65,000; and the bumper Rs 69,000.

Unrelated to this incident, the roof lining had started peeling off slowly since a few months until it reached the stage in the picture below.

Replacing this would involve removing the front wind screen. So I had put it off to another service. As advised by my trusty service engineer, this was held together with pins temporarily which would not be visible outside. As luck (or the lack of it) would have it, I used this opportunity to replace the lining. The original lining would cost more than a lakh. I was allowed to outsource mine for 20,000 from a local upholstery dealer (Binu’s car boutique, Kollenchery). The quality was good. If you haven’t seen the original, you wouldn’t know the difference.

You know your time isn’t good when your car's alternator belt gives up on you, on your way back from the police station, which you visited, to collect, the GD entry for the accident you were involved in 2 days back.

I was barely able to reach back to my apartment on limp mode. To add insult to injury, she now had to be flat-bedded to the service center.

All this with labour came to around Rs 2,85,000. I was reimbursed Rs 2,00,000 by my insurance company. Because of the low IDV, my NCB didn’t take a bad hit. My insurance was renewed this year for Rs 22,000 (It was Rs 17,000 last year, after NCB of Rs 6600).

There were no issues with the work done and she came back with a good paint job after three weeks. That’s right, it took three weeks as the fender part was not available in India. This seems to be the expected timeline for imported cars in India. Couple that with the occasional Covid related lock-downs, the part took its time coming. I didn’t have the heart to drive it around in this condition till then. So I left it at the service centre till the work was done. I did receive regular updates via calls as to when the part would arrive during this period.

I had the opportunity of using my dad’s Camry till then. This was a 2014 model but with low running, it was as good as new. I was reminded again of how smooth and silent modern petrol engines are. The quiet, unhurried way in which it wafted across roads was a sharp contrast to the gruff urgency of my diesel Volvo. My next car has to be a petrol or a petrol hybrid.

She was due for her 10th year service in March this year. However the local lock downs in force in Kerala at the time, meant I had to stare at the ‘Service due’ message on the MID in the morning every day for two months. This month she got fed up and started showing me ‘Service Over Due!’. So I told her alright, alright, and finally got an appointment for her service. Part of the reason for delay was parts availability and my need for same day delivery. As usual, when the time came, the car was picked up in the morning and returned in the evening.

Apart from routine service, the timing belt needed to be changed. It was recommended to be changed at 100,000km, but since it was already 10 years, I was advised early change.

Routine service with oil change, filters etc., came to 28,000. Wiper blades were changed for 5000. With the timing belt, belt tensioner and associated parts and labour, the gross total of this service was 83000.

The seatbelt pre-tensioners were changed as part of a global recall. Also my model year is part of a global recall for change of door locks. As they didn’t have stock, this was postponed for a future service. My rear disc pads would need replacement in 5000km. Also the right front suspension strut and bush are at significant wear.

Thus was an eventful 10th year. As she grows older, I do expect more parts replacements to pop up on the way. But my service engineer has assured me, that at present, nothing major is expected to be replaced.

Summing up cost of ownership till now:

Although the years mentioned below are correct, the costs are not in exact chronological order.

These do not include fuel expenses, washing services, 3M coating, non OEM accessories etc.

Some of the costs have been clubbed together and the important ones have been shown separately. To the uninitiated, it may appear shocking at first sight, but these costs are spaced out over many months in most instances.

This is just to give to a potential buyer an insight into the cost of ownership of vehicles in this class, over and above the EMI that he or she may pay.

1st year:

Routine service: Free as per introductory offer
Rear wheel arch dent repair: Rs. 16,000
Insurance: Rs.65,000 (ICICI)

2nd year:

Routine service with wiper change, rear brake pad replace: Free as per introductory offer
Insurance: Rs.58,000 (ICICI)

3rd year:

Routine service: Rs. 16,000
Rear brake pad: Rs. 8,000
Battery replace (Exide) – Rs. 14,000
Tyres replace (Michelin) – Rs. 45,000
Headlamp windscreen washer replace: Rs. 6,500
AC switch and modulator replace: Rs. 26,000
Tow hook cover: Rs.5,000
Insurance: Rs.52,000 (ICICI)

4th year:

Routine service: Rs. 16,000
Front park assist and rear camera: Rs. 1,45,000
Polestar Engine optimization: Rs.65,000
Space saver spare wheel with cover: Rs.29,500
Insurance: Rs. 19,000 (ICICI)

5th year:

Routine service with brake pad replace: Rs.25,000
Insurance: Rs.21,000 (Oriental)

6th year:

Routine service with Battery (AC Delco), turbo hose, strut, antiroll bar link replace: Rs.58,000
Rear brake discs, pads: Rs. 30,000
Left ORVM cover: Rs. 14,000
Alternator belt – Rs.4,500
Tyre change (Michelin) – Rs.50,000
Insurance: Rs.22,000 (Oriental)

7th year:

Routine service with front bumper painting: Rs. 39,000
Insurance: Rs.20,000 (Oriental)

8th year:

Routine service: Rs.26,000
Rear shock absorber: Rs.14,000
Rear center console panel: Rs. 4,500
Front brake disc, pad replace: Rs. 36,000
Metal engine protection plate: Rs. 36,000
Tyre change (Michelins) – Rs. 50,000
Battery (Amaron): Rs.10,000
Insurance: Rs.19,500 (Oriental)

9th year:

Regular Service: Rs.22,000
Rear suspension: Rs.16,000
Front ABS sensors: Rs.11,000
Accident and incidental repairs: Rs.85,000 (2,00,000 covered by insurance)
Insurance: Rs. 17,000 (Oriental)

10th year:

Regular service: Rs.28,000
Parts replacement including timing belt: Rs.55,000
Rear Brake pads, front suspension strut, bush (pending) : (?) Rs. 25,000
Insurance: Rs.22,000 (Oriental)

This comes to roughly Rs. 1,30,000 per year on average. As you can see, the cost increases as the car ages and plateaus at a point. I have also factored in Insurance as it is a recurring and unavoidable expense. ICICI Lombard significantly lowered my IDV in the 5th year. Hence I switched to Oriental Insurance. My car has relatively low miles on it for a 10 year old car, so these costs are subjective. Also, the drivetrain, transmission and parts have changed in some of the newer models of this car. Older parts are more expensive.

Its’ raining cats and dogs here in Kerala and I struggle to keep my cars clean. I just managed to click a few shots of her when she is reasonably presentable.

After a natural rainwater service.

Interiors have aged well. I made the right choice with this upholstery. But Nappa leather will be expensive to replace if ever the need arises.

Reflecting back, my ‘Copper Brown’ baby has stuck with me through the years without throwing any big tantrums. She has proved her worth for every rupee I spent on her 10 years ago. She still looks fresh even after all these years and seems good to go for another 10. I still look back at her from a distance on some days wondering why I would ever part with her. Considering the present situation, it seems she’ll be with me a bit longer. And it appears she’s only too happy to tag along with an eager smile.