Volvo Repair: My Volvo service has had me replace rotors twice in 30,000 miles, volvo xc90, zimmerman rotors

Question
I've been in some version of a Volvo since I inherited my parents brick-colored sedan in high school. It was a tank, ran forever and kept me safe and protected. Years later I bought a new black Volvo sedan. In 2006 with a hubby and two kids, I decided that I could graduate to the SUV. Feeling like I'd made a fantastically safe and practical decision, I drive my silver XC90 to work and on road trips. It's not the fanciest nor sexiest vehicle, but I feel my family is safe.

Hard working moms should not have huge budget surprises like my SUV has turned into. Little did I know what I was getting myself into when I made this purchase. When I took it into the Culver City dealer for my 30,000 mile service yesterday, I found out that my Volvo XC90 needed it's second replacement rotors and brake pads. I'd already been through this expense at 17,000 miles, much to my surprise. Now, at 30,000 miles I needed another set at a cost of $1,000. CRAZY!

I have friends driving a Toyota or a Honda that rarely require maintenance or repairs. Volvo is an expensive vehicle to buy and it gets you every time you visit the service department and all repairs are expensive. It's disappointing to say the least.

How can Volvo sell us consumers a vehicle with such an expensive and frequent repair need. They told me the brake pads and rotors wear down at the same time. According to service, that is why I have to invest so much money every other time I service my car. This information should be made public and available to potential buyers.

Answer
Alba, I agree but this dealer has ripped you off.  These rotors and pads do not cost that amount of money.  Its ridiculous.  You must have a bad vehicle.  XC90's are one of the better Volvos.  Volvo's rotors arent the best brand of rotors.  We dont use those parts.  We use Brembo or zimmerman rotors which are a higher quality product at half the cost.  The newer Volvos are not the Volvos of the 80's and 90's.  Those were Volvo's.  These are expensive cars that are expensive to maintain.  I suggest an idependent Volvo shop to take care of your vehicle versus the crook that ripped you off.  Roger