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My cars comming up for this, I've been quoted £317 for the Cambelt and tensioner to be replaced Plus £132 for the service, that includes Labour, and genuine VW parts. This is from a VW specilist.

I hate having to shell out this much on the car, its £50 more than I payied for my insurance this year. Its making me think that I want an Old banner mk3 Golf tdi which I can service myself, pay next to nothing to insure, and get better mpg. There starting 16 months of work on the m27 this weekend, my daily commute, which I suspect will cause grid lock twice a day when I want to use the road. That'll also make me sit there in my car thinking whats the point of having a GTi.

Anyways rant aside, does that cost sound about right? I'm getting another quote for another specilist aswell for conparsion.

Neil

yes, sounds right to me.

From the point of view of the Cambelt I paid just under £300 if I remember correctly. I bought the parts from my local dealer, and my local specialist did the work (Central VW - Ellesmere Port). I ended up with about 1/2 or 1 litre of Coolant left over which is good.
From the point of view of the service though, I can't see what stopping you doing it anyway. It should only cost about £50-60, even if you need Spark Plugs, Air Filter, Pollen Filter, etc. on top of Oil, and Oil Filter/Sump Washer. I got all the bits for my last service from Halfords (Trade) and Euro Car Parts (depending on which worked out cheaper).

Yeh I could easily do the service myself. The only thing that worries me is not having the stamp in the book devaluing the car.

Would you say a recept for parts it just as good as a stamp in the book?

Neil

thats what im now about to do this weekend. no stamp, i will fill in the service book myself and just keep the parts reciepts from the dealership. i doubt that not having further stamps will devalue the car. I recently sold my mk2 golf for more than i paid for it and at an equal value of others with full service history., same for my mk3. all I had was the previous mots and a folder full of reciepts (and the v5 of course). I dont think the value of our cars will vary much as long as people can see they have been looked after its fine. anyway after watching the vag mechanics whilst waiting for parts at 2 of my local vw garages, i dont think i would want them loose on my car anyway, much less pay the rediculous prices for it. if you know someone with a bit of mechanical knowledge who can help you then do the cam belt yourself, i did it on my mk3 and mk2 gtis without too much hastle and saved loads of money.

Yeh I have a friend who may be willing to help me with the cambelt, he us to be a macanic, but recently quit due to winning the lottery.

I'd agree stamps are not the be all and end all. You could if you wished get a friendly garage to stamp them any way I'm sure, if it bothered you.

You say won the lottery, must have been a decent enough win to quit, lucky him

Yup I won't say how much, but it was enough to pay off his mortgage, buy a 350z and an engine he says will run too 1200hp for his skyline project. I think he's going to get a part time job at some point he's just chilling for now.

neilw wrote:Yup I won't say how much, but it was enough to pay off his mortgage, buy a 350z and an engine he says will run too 1200hp for his skyline project. I think he's going to get a part time job at some point he's just chilling for now.

ahh its all right for some!!!

I have just had my cam belts done at a local garage £185 that was using genuine parts with all new tensioners etc... I'm not to far from you if you need any details.

VR6 South wrote:I have just had my cam belts done at a local garage £185 that was using genuine parts with all new tensioners etc... I'm not to far from you if you need any details.

thats an insane price!! I thought it would cost around that for the parts alone

My mate in the trade reckons the parts (it comes as a kit plus the waterpump) cost no more than £70-90. Its the labour that costs, as by all accounts it is a bugger of a job!

Mine is due in May this year with the service, may get it done earlier though (i.e. next month).

really?!

thats ridiculous! specially when i got quoted £450 to get mine down with the service.

Unfortunately i cant afford it this time round, so gunna have to wait til next service