Cost of a (basic) service?

Karl_CLCoupe · Post by **Karl_CLCoupe** » Mon Sep 20, 2004 1:07 pm

I was planning to give my car a bit of a going over before its MOT and before I can drive it. I went scouring Halfords to get a rough idea of how expensive it could be. Heres some of the bits I was looking at:

Halfords own circular air filter Â£4.59
Champion oil filter Â£6.99
Halfords own fuel filter Â£2.69
Champion Premium spark plugs Â£19.99
Halfords own HT leads Â£29.99
Castrol GTX Magnatec 15w/40 Â£16.99
Halfords own Dizzy cap Â£6.99
Halfords own rotor Â£4.59

I wasn't planning on getting the stuff from Halfords, as its a bit too expensive from what I've heard. Can anyone suggest anywhere cheaper that will sell the equivalent, or better parts? I am also after some recommendations for coolant too.

I know it may not have been driven yet, but I would rather know in my own mind that things have been done, as my auntie wouldn't remeber what was done when.

Thanks.

Karl.

squarebackrob · Post by **squarebackrob** » Mon Sep 20, 2004 1:59 pm

euro car parts www.eurocarparts.com they were cheap when i did mine hope this is helpful

hardhitter · Post by **hardhitter** » Mon Sep 20, 2004 6:42 pm

Forget that, go to GSF. Have you got your discount card for being a member ?

Karl_CLCoupe · Post by **Karl_CLCoupe** » Mon Sep 20, 2004 6:47 pm

Yeah, got my discount card at Polo show. I will look into them or eurocarparts. I have found that some of eurocarparts items to be more expensive than halfords, but I can get genuine VW stuff cheaper than some of the Halfords stuff too, so thats a bonus.

Thanks.

Karl.

Tahrey1043 · Post by **Tahrey1043** » Mon Sep 20, 2004 10:20 pm

Get your ass to GSF!!!

about Â£8 all in for decent enough plugs (possibly the same model), and Â£27 for leads that will kick the halfords ones collective arses all over the shop, for two things.

the other parts should be cheaper as well (though the quality of the halfords parts is actually ok on them if you're stuck, and not *too* expensive - just *more* expensive)... you're doing well to get the right halfords air filter at that price, have you double checked?

You've had a good idea with that one though - it may be worth pulling together the price of all these things and stacking it up e.g. next to one of the many garages that offer a 30-point or more "annual" service for Â£50...

PS can anyone give a good verdict on the right grade of oil to use for a regular ageing CL mk3 these days, i went to GSF to get bits - again plugs, gear oil, filter etc* - and enough oil to do a change with. Originally opted for some Synta Silver (can't argue with the stuff that comes out under a VAG-owned brand now) - which is 10w40 - but the guy on the counter talked me down to Quantum (also VW) blue, which is the same 15w40 as your choice - as it was far cheaper (excellent salesmanship, not!) and supposedly more suited to the car.
Now I'm having second thoughts, especially as winter is drawing in and it can make a bit of a racket for the first couple minutes after starting when cold. 5w30/40 might even be a better idea for the frosty mornings i'm thinking, just so *something* gets flowing over the course of a 15 minute / 25-3500rpm commute, without resorting to Magnatec.
Which way to swing it...?

and hang on - we can get discounts for being ukpolos members?

*and a white-LED keyring torch. Â£2.99 including a fresh set of batteries. Words cannot properly describe the coolness or the value. its f***ing bright, sunlight toned, and smaller than a house key - perfect for finding a lock in the dark.

Karl_CLCoupe · Post by **Karl_CLCoupe** » Mon Sep 20, 2004 10:48 pm

You do get a discount (cards available from Josh at meets), I wouldnt mind trying that Synta, its just where I get it from? I dunno whether the stealers will charge silly amounts for it (assuming they sell it?). I have got a bit of a shopping list going. Can get a genuine Oil filter for Â£3.50 from eurocarparts (25p more at GSF). And have heard good reports about the quality of GSF leads. And yes, that was the right filter. While I was 'window' shopping for my list of service parts, I scanned through the books that give the correct parts for each make and model of car, which just basically gave me a part number to find on a suprising well organised shelf.

Anyway, that's my rambling over.

Tahrey1043 · Post by **Tahrey1043** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 1:48 am

funny, mine was Â£6.99 for a 1 litre binlid filler....

25p difference, at that point it comes down to which one is closest to you and/or charges the most postage. always be wary of such things!