Hi - I am new to this forum, and while I have had my 2005 S40 for about 2 years, I'm just now getting around to looking into some interior customizations, so I'm looking for some sage advice on a few topics.

First, I have a Valentine One radar detector and remote display. I had this hardwired into my old Audi A4, but was really only able to get this done becuase of a very detailed set of instructions that someone was nice enough to put up on the Audiworld site. Has anyone else hardwired a V1 or other radar detector into the S40? Do you have pictures or instructions?

Onto the bluetooth phone set-up. Is the dealer option the best option? To buy it and have them install it at Putnam Volvo in Burlingame, CA, they wanted almost 700 bucks, which seems like a lot to me. So, is there a better option that still works well without spending an arm and a leg?

I'd ask about the iPOD as well, but I did just finish reading the mega-posting on the topic, and it doesn't seem like there is a great answer yet to get this hardwired without going through the FM Modulator...unless I missed something.

Finally, I'm on the fence about whether I want to attempt this stuff myself. If I opt against that, does anyone have a recomendation for a good shop to do this kind of work in the San Francisco Bay area?

Thanks!

I went through the same thing as you with the bluetooth and got a $600 price from the dealer. So i set out to do it myself. Let me just cut to the chase. I spent about $400 for the official Volvo issued pieces to do the installation and found the instructions online. It took quite a while to do, mainly cause I was scared to death about messing up my car. It was better to pay the extra for the volvo bluetooth system because i didnt have to cut&splice any wires, and the sound goes through the sound system. If you have any ? let me know

Thanks djcll6121.

I did manage to wire in my V1 over the weekend with instructions that I found in the Swedespeed forum archives.

Still researching the Bluetooth options, and seem to be seeing a lot on the Parrot set-up. Did you look at this option as well?

-Mike

http://vccs.volvocars.se/accessories/ii/search.aspx

I saw some stuff on the parrot system, but I stuck with motorola because i wanted to stick with the volvo issued item, for two reasons. 1: because the installation instructions (link above) are designed for the motorola bluetooth setup and 2: I knew I wasn't going to have to make any splices and void my warranty.

Makese sense. Great link BTW, thanks. As an aside, I found the Parrot Installation instructions on the Swedespeed forum here: http://forums.swedespeed.com/zerothread?id=47363&page=2

The official Volvo guide definitely doesn't offer any shortcuts, but is exceptionally thorough!

It is possible to install the Parrot system—I have it. I can't help with installation though. It is kind of a funny; I went to my local dealer and asked them to install Bluetooth, expecting them to install the OEM kit. When they finished, they brought me out to look at it and it was the Parrot kit. Anyways, I like the parrot kit better because the silver and black controller matches the center stack in the car much better than the OEM kit.

I installed the Motorola IHF1000, which is what Volvo sells as theirs. Found a brand new unit on Ebay for $80 and bought the wiring harness as a separate piece from the Volvo dealer for $80. So, for about half the price of the OEM kit, I got the same thing. The install was not real hard, but it took about half a day to do it. Of course I was being VERY careful not to break anything. Most of the parts of the car just snap together. The system works very well sounds very clear.

cmy4x4 what a steal! I got my whole set-up for $300 on eBay. Installed during my first service for free at the dealership.