Reason for Visit: Service
I recommend this dealer: No
My Review of Manhattan Volvo:
Never again.
My car was off the road for about 6 months ( I was overseas) , and it needed a new inspection. Martin's was closest to the tunnel, so I took it there for the inspection.
Lie #1: I was presented with a paper showing that my car would fail emissions. They would not let me keep the paper. it was just a printout, it could have been created with excel. It showed elevated HC and NOx levels. Their recommendation was that they clean the throttle body housing. My later research showed that with electronic engine management, and a Lambda catalyst feedback system (introduced by volvo in the '70's) HC and NOx move inversely of each other. If HC is high, NOx is low, and vice versa. It is impossible for both to be high. Go to brickboard and search 'clean throttle body'. the best comment I read there was, "the only thing they are cleaning out is your wallet'. The year before the car passed with flying colors, CO, HC and NOx far below the limit. The year after, same thing. Additionally, the engine light was not on. With OBDII, if there is a problem, the check engine light is on.
Lie #2:I was told that my rotors must be replaced because of surface corrosion, and that the car would not pass. I asked what exactly was the NYS spec on brake rotors, and he said that it was just rotor thickness. I asked him to put a measurement caliper on the disk and measure it, and what the factory spec was for rotors. He measured the disk, and agreed that the rotors were well within factory spec. I told him that the car had been in a barn for 6 months, and that is why there was a thin layer of rust. He relented, and admitted that the rotors were within spec, and inspection could not be denied on that basis. I've since put 40,000 miles on those rotors, with no problem, and the thickness is still within spec.
Lie #3: One of the fog light lenses was cracked. The light lit up, but the lens was cracked. I was told that I had to replace the fog lights, as "all" lights must be functional for NYS inspection. Headlights, turn signals, taillights were all OK. I pointed out that fog lights were optional for cars in NY, and that I would be surprised that there would be a requirement for optional lamps. As with the rotors, he seemed to now realize that I knew what I was talking about, and he relented on the issue.
It's not so much that they tried to sell me unnecessary items such as brake rotors and fog lights, it's the flat-out lie about the emissions. As I said, the condition they presented to me in writing is impossible.
never again.
Ironically, I really have not looked for another service facility for my Volvo, because I have not needed it. Just oil changes, nothing more.
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