Hi all,
We're looking at buying a 2019 85TSI Comfortline Polo that appears to be in pretty good condition. It's in Sydney, Australia, where my girlfriend's living until I can join her later this year. A lot of the reason I'm trying to avoid waiting until then is it's blue, got an R-Line bodykit, and is a manual, which is a rare combination out there (the market for manual cars there is almost non-existent nowadays).
The problem is (fortunately her dad went with her to give it a proper inspection) it will soon need four new tyres, and in two months' time a year's registration (which costs around £500, and unfortunately is just a road tax of sorts that's unavoidable). I'm obviously fine with buying new tyres, because it's done 38,000m, and I typically believe in buying the best ones you can get. But as it's six years old, it will also, depending on who you believe, be due a new timing belt. That's not her dad saying that; that's simply what seems to be accepted knowledge and the service history showing it hasn't yet had one.
Can anyone tell me how accurate or otherwise that might be? 'Cause the costs are suddenly starting to add up if it is. I'm in London and attempting to sell a 2016 R-Line that I bought when it had done 900 miles and that has made it to 28,000 without requiring a new one, partly because of advice on this forum that says that the five-year interval quoted by VW UK is challenged elsewhere in the world. But I can't see a similar thread for the newer shape. Excuse me if I've simply missed it.
Thank you
Timing belt question
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OomStu_ZA
- Gold Member
- Posts: 710
- Joined: Mon Apr 22, 2019 6:06 pm
- Drives: 2019 VW Polo GTi
- Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Re: Timing belt question
Hi Dwar5345
According to Google:
The timing belt on a Volkswagen Polo 1.0L TSI (EA211 engine) does not have a strict, mandatory replacement mileage in newer official factory guidelines, but independent mechanics strongly recommend changing it every 90,000 km to 120,000 km or every 5 to 6 years, whichever comes first. In Sydney, Australia, you can expect to pay between $650 and $1,200 AUD to replace the timing belt on a Volkswagen Polo 1.0L 85TSI at a trusted independent European specialist. If you take the car to an official Volkswagen Dealership in Sydney (such as those in Five Dock, Sutherland, or the North Shore), the cost will likely be significantly higher, ranging from $1,500 to $2,200+ AUD. This is due to high inner-city dealer labour rates (often exceeding $200–$250 per hour) and premium pricing on genuine parts.
Since mechanics advise replacement every 5 - 6 years (and its now 7 years old - 2019) it may well be worth replacing even though the milage still looks good for at least 40 000kms (24000Miles). That said, you can always get a second opinion and have someone inspect the belt before purchase or even speak with the seller and find out if they willing to replace it as part of the sale.
According to Google:
The timing belt on a Volkswagen Polo 1.0L TSI (EA211 engine) does not have a strict, mandatory replacement mileage in newer official factory guidelines, but independent mechanics strongly recommend changing it every 90,000 km to 120,000 km or every 5 to 6 years, whichever comes first. In Sydney, Australia, you can expect to pay between $650 and $1,200 AUD to replace the timing belt on a Volkswagen Polo 1.0L 85TSI at a trusted independent European specialist. If you take the car to an official Volkswagen Dealership in Sydney (such as those in Five Dock, Sutherland, or the North Shore), the cost will likely be significantly higher, ranging from $1,500 to $2,200+ AUD. This is due to high inner-city dealer labour rates (often exceeding $200–$250 per hour) and premium pricing on genuine parts.
Since mechanics advise replacement every 5 - 6 years (and its now 7 years old - 2019) it may well be worth replacing even though the milage still looks good for at least 40 000kms (24000Miles). That said, you can always get a second opinion and have someone inspect the belt before purchase or even speak with the seller and find out if they willing to replace it as part of the sale.