VW polo cambelt change price "O my god"

[wilki]

I brought a 2000 polo sdi diesel last autum, drove it to spain and back over Xmas, and plan to go again in march, drives like a dream.
It needs its cambelt, and water pump replacing,
went into local VW dealer with a 10% discount they said £370. thats for belt and pump. I was thinking £270 max.
is that the going rate.
thanks

 

[horsesuitedfool]

I brought a 2000 polo sdi diesel last autum, drove it to spain and back over Xmas, and plan to go again in march, drives like a dream.
It needs its cambelt, and water pump replacing,
went into local VW dealer with a 10% discount they said £370. thats for belt and pump. I was thinking £270 max.
is that the going rate.
thanks

Where you based?? My best mate owns and runs a VAG Group Indie in Surrey......

 

[jaymanek]

Use an Indie..

 

[Rory]

If you shop around a bit - perhaps try to find a VW specialist or even another dealer, then they may be cheaper.

This place was linked to in another thread I saw. Don't know anything about them but shows how cheap it can be: CAM BELT FITTING CHEAP KITS PARKING SENSOR TIMING BELTS FITTED ALL CARS REVERSING SENSORS USED CARS FOR SALE BOAT TRAILERS VOLKSWAGEN VW FORD JET SKI TRAILERS CAR GRAPHICS WEB OPTIMIZATION and spares kent vw mot motor homes mg classic car parts

 

[wemorgan]

I had my Audi A2 cambelt and water pump changed for ~£300 (inc VAT) from a VAG specialist.
£30 less if you don't want to change the pump, false economy I think.

 

[wilki]

sorry whats a VAG Group Indie, I am based just outside surry

 

[wemorgan]

Volkswagen Audi Group (VW, Audi, Skoda, Seat)

 

[horsesuitedfool]

sorry whats a VAG Group Indie, I am based just outside surry

Sorry, Volkswagen Audi Group although they also cover Seat and Skoda too... He is based in Sutton, Surrey.....

 

[horsesuitedfool]

I brought a 2000 polo sdi diesel last autum, drove it to spain and back over Xmas, and plan to go again in march, drives like a dream.
It needs its cambelt, and water pump replacing,
went into local VW dealer with a 10% discount they said £370. thats for belt and pump. I was thinking £270 max.
is that the going rate.
thanks

I spoke to him and he said he charges £230 labour and £160 for parts for ribbed belt and water pump plus antifreeze etc etc. He said the stealers are only charging about 2 hours labour which is not enough and you should take the Stealers quote!!

 

[Stratman]

Try JP Garage, a German car specialist indie, at Hampton Court

0208 977 8234

 

[wemorgan]

Stoke Audi did have a special offer of £325 (not inc water pump).
Might be worth calling up other VW main dealers and see if they price match.

 

[wilki]

thanks for all the help, I guess 370 is the going rate then, every 60.000 I guess I'll only do it once. Spread that cost over 60.000 miles, will have to bite the bullet

 

[Will]

For a ten year old Polo, surely it'd make more sense to use a decent Indi and perhaps OE parts - not sure the VW paperwork is worth it on a car of that age/value IMHO.

Will

 

[wilki]

Will whats OE parts ??, above horsesuitedfool said 370 was a OK price, ya VW paperwork on the my 10yr polo may not mean much I agree. VW asked about £50 for water pump and £90 for cam belt kit.

 

[wemorgan]

The kits are ~£90, but the pumps can be bought cheaper for ~£30.
Also main dealers tend to charge extra labour for replacing the water pump, but independents often do it free.

Save £70 by finding a VW independent garage.

 

[Will]

Hi wilki,

What I mean is that it might be worth trying an alternative supplier other than the VW main dealer for the cambelt and water pump. I tend to use genuine parts for my cars most of the time, but sometimes there's identical quality parts available made by the same manufacturer for much less. Places like Euro Car Parts, or GSF seem popular for VW stuff

Eg, the cambelt that VW sell might be made by someone like Continental (?), and available for much less than £90 from a different supplier such as above.

Then consider an independant garage who would charge lower for the labour on the job - should make it quite a bit more affordable for you.

Just thought I'd mention it as cost is an issue it seems

Will

 

[wilki]

does anyone know if its a twin or single cam on my year 2000 polo 1.9sdi diesel.
thanks

 

[wemorgan]

give the (vehicle identification number) VIN, as found on the V5 document to the garage and they will buy the correct kit

 

[wilki]

can anyone tell me if the polo year 2000, sdi 1.9 is twin or single cam, thanks.

 

[troiscentmille]

For reference, I had a quote of £360 plus vat from a "vag specialist" last year for my 96 polo diesel, was surprised, to say the least.