I've got a '99 XC. Bought it used last fall. At the time, it had new rubber all around and a dealer brake job on the front brakes (pads and rotors). My rear pads look thin, so I'm going to replace...

...I didn't know the car would be driveable without the center drive shaft. I guess though, it makes sense.

Does anyone know of a good independent Volvo mechanic in the St. Louis, MO area?

Thanks,

Marc

...me in the "Haven't received a letter yet" column.

The car is running well. It's a '99, with 80,000 miles on the clock. I have all the service records, and the ETM is the original (amazing). My...

Here's an e-mail exchange I had with Volvo US over the past few days (please read my initial e-mail at the bottom, first):

Dear Marc,

Thank you for contacting Volvo Cars of North America.
...

Exactly.

I especially liked the line in the fourth paragraph: "There is no need to worry." My question was "Are the new ETMs a new improved design or are they identical to the original, flawed...

For what it's worth...

Below is the text of an e-mail I received yesterday from Volvo HQ in Sweden...I was asking about the new ETMs and whether they are the same as the original or an improved...

60% highway, 40% city: 21.5 mpg. Pretty much what I expected from the outset.

Marc

One question (I haven't seen this addressed anywhere else, though I may have missed it): My AWD and viscous coupler are functioning fine. Is it fair then, to assume the previous owner didn't almost...

...it passed state inspection this morning with no problem. Jan. 6 it goes in for an oil change and the ETM cleaning. From what I've read, it won't be long before it goes back for a new ETM.
...

I just bought a 1999 XC with 74K on it. My mechanic checked it out, pronounced it perfect, with the exception of a leak in the turbo drain lines. I took it to a Volvo dealer, had that fixed and...