Quote Originally Posted by trk8000 View Post
Hi co-tsikoteers! I've been following this thread and I get this feeling that there is no cheaper alternative than to bring it to the dealer, i.e. for out of warranty Volvos. Any ex-Volvo mechanics out there? But then, the real question would be the availability of special tools needed for the job to be done and done properly.
There is Gruppo Talyer/Habrec. They specialize in Volvos and other European brands (e.g. Audi). They did the rack and pinion leak on the 850.

For maintenance, Volvo filters are priced at par with industry standards. Some filters are even cheaper than OEM filters for Japanese cars. Maintenance procedures are not that far off from your typical Japanese midsize sedan (I have a Hayne's service manual). It's the repair parts that can get $$$.

Some of their cars may have certain strangeness (e.g. it's a b!tch to take apart some of the interior panels and you have to remove the whole dash to access the a/c) but you'll learn how to do 'em in due time.