40k (cambelt?) service

[SmartInBlack]

I have 2 quotes for a 40k service (Sept 2004 LCR) as follows: (i) £366 (labour + parts: oil, oil/pollen/air filters, spark plugs, top ups) and (ii) £184 from Seat garages (I would prefer to go to a stealer for service stamps, so I know I'll pay more...)

Not surprisngly the second was favourite (if a little low I thought) but when I went to book it in I was told that I needed a cambelt change - recommended at 40k or 4 years. Is this correct?

Anyway, the cost went up to £575, which includes the service - but now up to £280!

I did get offered a 10% discount but this still makes the cost £518. Does this sound about right?

 

[lc_allan]

I'm sticking with 60k or 5 years. I think 4 years is a little too soon imo.

 

[MrJohnnyB]

£280 for a 40k service seems cheap from a main dealer anyway. depending on where you're based id recommend a specialist VAG garage, they're much more competitive and know just as much about the cars, the fact that you've got full Main dealer history doesnt really make the car any more valuable in my opinion anyway.

 

[SmartInBlack]

Update: The quoted price of £184 was for 20k service. Still, they dropped the price to £460 'cos of their mistake - fair play...

I suppose I'd be a fool to ignore recommendation from main dealer (who sold car to me new) re: cambelt and then something goes bang!

 

[Teasy]

I'm getting my cam belt & water pump done next week for £195

£100 cheaper then my Stealer

 

[justsean]

think im going to source the parts and attempt it myself...

 

[MrJohnnyB]

think im going to source the parts and attempt it myself...

If you have no garage experience i would strongly advise against attempting it yourself. Saving yourself £200 is hardly worth it if you bodge it, especially considering its such a vital part to the engine.

 

[justsean]

If you have no garage experience i would strongly advise against attempting it yourself. Saving yourself £200 is hardly worth it if you bodge it, especially considering its such a vital part to the engine.

by "myself" i meant my dad hes a wizard with that type of stuff. i probably would **** it up royally...il see if hes up to the challenge anyway

 

[Teasy]

Just got mine back the other day & seems quicker for some reason - is this normal ???

 

[LilBlueLeon]

Teasy, where did you go to get yours done for £195??

 

[ChrisUK]

I'm sticking with 5 years or 60k as well - 40k is too soon if it's inspected regulary.

Just had a 40k service & the dealer never even mentioned it - checked it out myself & it has lots of life in it yet !

 

[Teasy]

Teasy, where did you go to get yours done for £195??

Lawson Car Sales (Bosch Srvice Centre), Lawson Rd, Middlesbrough 01642 242749

Top quality service & it took them 4 + half hours, a Continental Belt Kit, I also had the pump done too - my old belt looked OK to me (which they gave me) but you can never be too careful with your Pride & Joy can you

 

[JamesL]

The thing with the belts is that they can look fine but the damage can be caused by cracks and splits bewteen the teeth - which you cant see properly until you take it off


Thats what I was always told/thought anyway.

I had mine done on around 20-25k, but the car was around 6 years old by then and hadnt had it done.

Beware of something too cheap too - you get what you pay for in the end (most of the time anyway )

 

[lordgibbness]

So many people get this wrong and so to clear it up (again) the service interval for a cambelt is:

120k or 4yrs, whichever is soonest.

Inspections should be made at the 60k, 80k and 100k service (obviously if under four years).

 

[lc_allan]

 

[gav_FR]

Lawson Car Sales (Bosch Srvice Centre), Lawson Rd, Middlesbrough 01642 242749

Top quality service & it took them 4 + half hours, a Continental Belt Kit, I also had the pump done too - my old belt looked OK to me (which they gave me) but you can never be too careful with your Pride & Joy can you

I think I will be giving them a call!
My car has done just over 40k and is almost 4 years old so should really have it changed.
Did that £195 include the pump? Surely not!?

 

[Teasy]

I think I will be giving them a call!
My car has done just over 40k and is almost 4 years old so should really have it changed.
Did that £195 include the pump? Surely not!?

Yes true.......£195 inc Pump, I couldnt believe it either!!!

Are you going to the M/Bro meet - mid November Gav ?
(search "seats around middlesbrough" if you havent seen it)

 

[arge]

So many people get this wrong and so to clear it up (again) the service interval for a cambelt is:

120k or 4yrs, whichever is soonest.

Inspections should be made at the 60k, 80k and 100k service (obviously if under four years).

This may be correct if you go by the service book but due to lots of reports of cambelt faliures around the 60k mark, The VAG ran out a reduction in miliage across the whole range halfing it to 60k.

In my professsional (renault technician with mates who work at VW next door) opinion anyone would be stupid to leave their cambelt untill 120k, infact i would be quite suprised it made it on one belt !

 

[lordgibbness]

I'd actually agree in getting the belt changed at 60k (as to do a good inspection would require taking the belt off anyway).

But the VAG group haven't reduced the requirement from 120k to 60k; they have actually reduced the years down to 4yrs. I have checked this with SEAT head office and have an answer in writing.

For anyone with the money, to be safe I'd suggest sticking to 60k/4yrs.

 

[arge]

I agree, People can belive what they want to believe but personally im going with what the vw technicians say and replacing it before 60k 4yrs, whats a few hundred pounds when a cambelt breaking could be a few thousand

Really I think the moral of this story is... The sooner the better !

Most people go with between 40 and 60k 4 yrs.