Cam belt changes on a TDi FR 130

[Strawp]

Hi,

I'm looking into getting a TDi FR 130 to replace my ageing 1.4 S and this one has caught my interest is this one: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201214461678765

The garage said that the previous owner changed the cam belt at 30k, the car now has 60k on the clock. Is this normal and does that mean it's probably due for another one?

Is it going to require a more expensive service right after I've bought it if I get it?

Cheers!

 

[JamesL]

I'm not too au fais with the mk4 TDI's service intervals, but generally I personally would be looking at 4 years/60k. So you need to be looking the date it was changed as well as the mileage.

Generally cambelt is a more expensive piece of maintenance work - but shop around, use an independent specialist as opposed to a dealer, get some recommendations and you should be fine.

 

[Martin_FR]

Just changed my timing belt after 5 years / 60k. Dealer service was £485 for cambelt, water pump, 60k service and also brake fluid change.
Water pump is around £90 iirc, Id change this aswell while the cambelts off aswell

 

[Strawp]

Do you think I should be asking for £500 off the listed price given it's due for its 60k service and probably a new cam belt and water pump?

 

[FR_MATT]

Did it do 30k in 4 years then to have the belt done at that point?

If so it won't need doing until 2013 or 90k miles.

I'd use the need for a service as a bartering tool still though. £4350 wouldn't be a bad price, as at £4.8k(ish) its only about £500 more for a facelifted one.

 

[abbotsmike]

The price alone would put me off that one. I paid £3300 for a 55 plate with 70k just before christmas (3dr but prices are comparable). I then promptly wrote it off, and paid just over £5k for it's replacement last month, which is a facelift 07 with 50k on it.

Both had full service history, the older one was overdue its cambelt, hence the low low price.

 

[Strawp]

Thanks, I'll see if I can get the price down a bit.

What else does a normal 60k service involve?

 

[krussel]

Thanks, I'll see if I can get the price down a bit.

What else does a normal 60k service involve?

If you like the car it might be better to pay a higher price but get them to change the belt /water pump and a full service inc brake fluid.

 

[Martin_FR]

Thanks, I'll see if I can get the price down a bit.

What else does a normal 60k service involve?

Oil change, oil filter and pollen filter. I thought it was classed as a major service (every 20k) but apparently it doesnt include the air filter or fuel filter and I thought these were every 20k

 

[Razzario]

Cambelt isn't too bad, paid 220 quid for my belt and pump doing a couple of weeks ago. I have the fuel filter done every 20k service, something ill carry on with after just seeing the state of the probably original filter come off the misses 106 diesel at 143k at the same time as its original radiator lol

 

[Strawp]

I've just test driven the car - loved it!

In the service book it stated that cam belts should be changed every 80k miles and there wasn't a yearly interval so I think I'll be OK to be honest.

One last sticking point that prevented me from making an offer right there was that it was advertised as having aircon and this didn't seem to be present. The garage people claimed it had climate control, which I know nothing about. The unit on the console was this:

Is that climate control and is that going to keep me non-sweaty if I'm sat in a traffic jam on a 30 degree summers day?

 

[jamie_]

Yeah that's the more desirable digital climate control, it's quite good actually gives a few more can settings and an auto function. The reason you didnt see the air con button is because it's always on. Unless you press the econ button in the bottom left hand corner. So to answer your question yes it does have air con and it will stop you being sweaty if your still unsure turn the car on, make sure it doesn't say econ and turn the temp down to low and the blowers on high and it should be nice and cold

Hope this helps

P.s what's a 30 degree summers day? haha!

 

[Strawp]

brilliant, thanks. I think I'll put an offer in today then

Heh, I'm sure the mercury gets past the 20s one day in every 10 years here

 

[jamie_]

No worries hope you get the car and you'll love it!

Yeah I look forward to the couple of days in the year that I can actually use mine haha.

 

[Strawp]

I got it - holy crap it's so good going from a 1.4 to an FR. I can overtake people!

 

[jamie_]

Yeah it'll keep you smiling for a month or two before you get the remap itch haha. I know I certainly have it and struggling not to itch it haha