Cambelt..? Have I done OK..?

[Pimped-Passat]

Hello,

This is my first ever attempt at a forum, so please go easy on me if you think I am talking rubbish..!

OK, I've got a 2004 Passat Highline TDi 130PD with nearly 63,000 miles on the "clock"... all motorway of course..! I have been told to "get the belt changed or else"

I have justed booked it in at the main dealer in Doncaster for a cambelt change, and at the same time I have asked them to change the waterpump. Apparently "you might as well do the pump when you do the belt", etc, etc... Amazingly the main dealer in Donny is cheaper than an independant VAG service place in Leeds.

• VW Dealer = £353 inc VAT (original parts, and they will pick the car up and bring it back)
• Independant = £376 inc VAT (using non-VW parts, no pick up service)

Do these prices sound "acceptable" to you experts out there..?

What should I be expecting to get changed along with the belt and pump..?

Should I be able to see the old parts..?

Surely I am better off at the main dealers if the price is competative..?!

Go on, someone out there is bound to urinate on my bonfire..!

Hope to hear from someone, soon..!

Cheers
Pimped-Passat

[JELLYBEAN]

hi, i booked my golf gt tdi 130 53 plate in for a cambelt change tomorrow (friday) and including the vat from an indie (but excellent) garage locally i am paying £211 all in including the vat. i appreciate you are having the pump done too but it sounds excessive to me, does the pump actuallyneed doing? the cambelt change on its own should be booked at 3.5 hours allowing 4, my man manaaged to get a price of £82 on the cambelt kit with the tensioners etc in the kit. do a bit of ringing around mate. and good luck with it.
jellybean

[JELLYBEAN]

hi, i booked my golf gt tdi 130 53 plate in for a cambelt change tomorrow (friday) and including the vat from an indie (but excellent) garage locally i am paying £211 all in including the vat. i appreciate you are having the pump done too but it sounds excessive to me, does the pump actuallyneed doing? the cambelt change on its own should be booked at 3.5 hours allowing 4, my man managed to get a price of £82 on the cambelt kit with the tensioners etc in the kit. do a bit of ringing around mate. and good luck with it.
jellybean

[Paul Jay]

Mark

Replied to your private e-mail. You're paying way over the odds mate!

Cheers

Paul

[new to vw]

hi paul...where in doncaster did you get quote from?????
curios to know as i am from there
cheer's lee

[new to vw]

sorry should be Mark

[Pimped-Passat]

hi paul...where in doncaster did you get quote from?????
curios to know as i am from there
cheer's lee

Got the quote from Hayseldens. The main VW Dealer on that annoying roundabout..!!!

£278 (inc VAT) for belt and bits (tensioner I assume)
add another £75 for the water pump, coolant and additional labour.

For a main dealer I didn't think it was that bad as Layerthorpe in York want over £400..!!!

[new to vw]

cheers for reply bud......dont do anything yet, there's a new garage about to open near them (early march i think)..when it's open i will let you know, i'me sure he can do better than that for you.....

cheers
lee

[Sam]

JELLYBEAN - it is recommended you change the pump at the same time to save on duplicating labour costs in the future.

[Eshrules]

JELLYBEAN - it is recommended you change the pump at the same time to save on duplicating labour costs in the future.

agreed, this is not general maintenance as such, but 'pre-emptive' servicing. such as changing tyres before they wear out ...... you change the water pump while the belt and tensioner is off to save on labour charges and whilst not necessarily needed, the water pumps are known for failing, for the sake of an extra £50 id have it done....

IMO, the quotes the OP received dont sound excessive, i received similar quotes for mine, it is sometimes dependant on your location as well, different areas are different prices.