EEEK! timing belts $$$$

[Mitchy G]

hey guys, need to get my timing belts done. i rang rex gorells this morning, im not sure if i asked the right question or not though. i have been quoted 1500 for a timing belt change major service, which is what i asked for, but would this be 2 seperate services? ie. timing belt change, and a major service?

i sure hope this isnt what they are trying to sting me for just changing the timing belts

can anyone clarify this for me please?

[philthy]

hey guys, need to get my timing belts done. i rang rex gorells this morning, im not sure if i asked the right question or not though. i have been quoted 1500 for a timing belt change major service, which is what i asked for, but would this be 2 seperate services? ie. timing belt change, and a major service?

i sure hope this isnt what they are trying to sting me for just changing the timing belts

can anyone clarify this for me please?

Would be all in one. The timing belt service involves a fair bit of labour and should include a new water pump. This is on top of your usual oil and filter changes etc.

Ring around for some more quotes, independent VW specialists will likely be cheaper.


Edit: Have a look here for some people to call - http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ad.php?t=11511

[Mitchy G]

thanks mate. it seems to be double what most people have been quoted for a timing belt change though. 700-800 seemed to be what i should be paying

[philthy]

Yep, haven't done one on my VW yet but the timing belt service on my Mazda Cost ~ $600 a couple years ago.

$1500 seems steep.

[Mitchy G]

yeah i think i might give them another call and ask only about timing belts and mention nothing of a major service. i think i might have shot myself in the foot with the way i asked. i was under the impression the timing belt change was the major service?

[Manaz]

Definitely look at using an independant VW specialist rather than a dealership. You'll find that their labour will be cheaper at the very least, even if the parts are not (since they largely get the parts from the dealership spare parts departments anyway).

[dylan8]

i second manaz.
i got mine done and was prepareing for $1000+
all up my service was ~$700-800
Had it done at a VW specialist, he said its just silly how much places charge. If you have a turbo apparently it takes a hour more, but that is all

[Manaz]

If you have a turbo apparently it takes a hour more, but that is all

Which is another $80 to $100 (at chargeout rates, not pay rates!) for most mechanics...

[Golf Loon]

Yeah we would be under $1000 for the timing belt and major service on that car. And we change all the tensioners and use a metal waterpump, not the plastic one they would use at vw.

[Mitchy G]

ok guys i rang gorells back because i knew something wasnt right. spoke to owen who is head of the service dept. asked him only about timing belts and he told me 800 dollars. which is much more reasonable. didnt quite ask the right question this morning so thats where the confusion came from.

this seems pretty reasonable dosnt it?