Whats up!

[Eldrid]

Hi Guys! new kid on the block.
Drive an Audi A3 1.8 T 2002 great car
just had it modified, amazing stuff!
Hope I can gain some usefull information
and visa-versa.

Cheers.

[klepto]

Welcome! Although I myself am a newbie on this forum only joined the other day What you get done? I am looking to mod my A3 1.8T Quattro, think I will get a remap in the new year, I was hoping to do it sooner but the cars 7 years old now and has never had the timing belt done, so want to get that out the way, audi are saying £320, but I think I will shop around!

[naquiss]

Hi there, I'm new too.

Just got an A3 1.8T 2001.

About the timing belt, £320 sounds reasonable, it's normally £700+ (£761 quoted at Docklands Audi). I think independents will not do it for less than £250.

You probably know this already, make sure you get the water pump (metal impeller) and tensioners replaced at the same time.

Let us know what you find out after shopping around.

[klepto]

Hey, Just to let you know I decided to go with Audi on the belt and tensioner. All in its £327 inc courtsey car, I did find cheaper places around £280 but like you said £327 is reasonable and I will have a courtsey car sorted for the day. I asked them about the pump they said they would look at any parts that might need replacing and contact me if needed.

I am still undecided about staying on the variable service, if I was to go on fixed then I would require an oil change every 10k miles or so which for me would be close to twice a year, variable however only requires an oil change once per year roughly 19k miles. Fixed costs £160/£320 and variable £240/£370, same service mind you just different oils... What do you guys pay for both types of service typically? If I was to go fixed then I would have to take it to an independant garage or else I am just paying more money and would be better off on variable.

[Eldrid]

Thanks Klepto, had intercooler and performance exhaust installed.
But have a major problem, had a new kit put on my turbo.
But now my car is blowing smoke badly.
Any advice?

[ashleytinman]

im getting mine done @ midland VW its £260 inc VAT. Thats the cam belt, tensioner, water pump with metal impella???? (i think thats what its called) the audi ones are know to come off cause there plastic.

[klepto]

Great price from dealer there tinman. Mine dosent inc. the water pump maybe not so resonable after all! I found prices from £280-305 (not inc. pump!) but the £280 was from a garage i dont really like and the £305 was a bit out of the way and not convenient, although I think I will get my car serviced there as they put it on the dyno as well when doing a full service and is still cheaper than audi. Eldrid what kit did u get put on, from what I read inducktion kits arent a good idea for our engines as it can screw the maf sensor. Is it smokey white or just lots of dark smoke? Not 100% clued up on all this stuff myself hoepfully someone on here will have an idea what could be cuasng it.

[naquiss]

Hi Klepto, from which Audi dealership did you get the £327 quote for timing belt? Thats really good compared to the £110 per hour Docklands Audi rate. LongLife major service there is £510. Minor service is £390. Damned expensive!

Its really worth getting the water pump replaced because there is no extra labour charge and the pump is about £30 - £35. Well documented, the plastic impeller blades break up.

About the variable service inervals, VW state the following:

- If you drive at least 9 - 10k miles annually on long motorway journeys then the LongLife service interval is recommended.
- If you drive mainly in stop-start conditions, short journeys and often accelerate harshly, then stick to the fixed annual service interval.

[bora(ing) nick]

Just thought i'd say a quick hello and welcome to all you newbies......

You seem to know your stuff, proving the search function is working



Nick

[klepto]

Thanks Nick, learnt some good info just in the last few days on this forum! Naquiss this is at Norwich Audi, well out of the way of most people! Unfortunately its also well out of the way of any place that does a decent custom remap..

Edit: Had a A3 1.6 07 reg as a courtsey car for the day, was gutless! Steering was far to light as well, getting back in my car felt like I didnt even have power steering for first few minutes. Total came to £318 for belt and tensioners. I asked them to check a problem I was having when changing from 1st to second. The gear change wasnt smooth when the clutch engaged, they said they werent able to get this to happen but they did notice the anti roll bar bushes are cracked and I should look to get them replaced sooner than later. Anyone have experience of how urgent this would be? I havent noticed any knocking as such so dont see me oing this aytime soon..The cost is silly they gave me a price of £440!!! Heres me thinking cam belt was a high maintenace cost! Not sure when I will get this done as I want my bloody remap, all these costs keep adding up!swictehd to fixed service as well, wont be going to audi though I doubt especially not for an oil & filer change, £160 a little to steep imo. I little niggle is that I dont havean entry in my log book saying the belt was done, seeing as it wasnt a regular service only the belt itself do they not bother adding it? suppose I have the reciept but would have liked a log entry!