Am I being ripped off?

[MKynaston]

I'll start by saying I don't have a great deal of mechanical knowledge hence why I'm here. I recently had my Golf GT 2007 serviced for the first time since I bought it (wont reveal the name of the mechanic so as not to spread bad publicity if it turns out I'm completely wrong). I booked it in for a 90,000 km service, which they said would mean I needed a timing belt replacement. I was fairly certain the GT 2007 had a timing chain, and I was correct. They then proceeded to service my car, however when I picked it up they had only changed the oil and a few filters. I assumed the 90,000 km service required more work? (could very well be wrong). I was charged $350 for this, which I thought was high, but was happy to pay, as the mechanic was highly regarded by other VW owners. They then told me that I needed my timing chain serviced for which they quoted me $1600. I though this was a bit excessive. (Once again I could be wrong). Am I being ripped off? If so what is a fair price for this and could anyone suggest any recommended mechanics? I figured I would ask on here, as you guys have a much higher level of knowledge than myself. Once again I could be completely wrong and these could be fair prices. Any help would be appreciated.

[Umai Naa!!]

The 1.4TSI is prone to chain rattle, but itd only be noticeable on cold start-up. To rectify this, the chain, tensioner and guides would need replacing. It's around a 4hr job for someone who's done them before.

The 90,000km service includes an air filter, and possibly brake fluid and cabin filter if they have not been done in the last 2 years.

[Idle]

I'll start by saying I don't have a great deal of mechanical knowledge hence why I'm here. I recently had my Golf GT 2007 serviced for the first time since I bought it (wont reveal the name of the mechanic so as not to spread bad publicity if it turns out I'm completely wrong). I booked it in for a 90,000 km service, which they said would mean I needed a timing belt replacement. I was fairly certain the GT 2007 had a timing chain, and I was correct. They then proceeded to service my car, however when I picked it up they had only changed the oil and a few filters. I assumed the 90,000 km service required more work? (could very well be wrong). I was charged $350 for this, which I thought was high, but was happy to pay, as the mechanic was highly regarded by other VW owners. They then told me that I needed my timing chain serviced for which they quoted me $1600. I though this was a bit excessive. (Once again I could be wrong). Am I being ripped off? If so what is a fair price for this and could anyone suggest any recommended mechanics? I figured I would ask on here, as you guys have a much higher level of knowledge than myself. Once again I could be completely wrong and these could be fair prices. Any help would be appreciated.

I think you are — a timing chain should long outlast a much cheaper timing belt (which does up to 120,000, depending on its quality), and its replacement ought not to cost that much.

I'd suggest asking some-one who knows the GTI better than I do (VW don't always use the best of parts) but my experience of timing chains generally is that they last a very long time.

[Passat my07]

I had to do this job on my brothers gt a while ago. It had 120k on it and it was bringing on the engine light because the cam was retarded. The chain was stretched so it needed a chain, guides, tensioner, gaskets, water pump, coolant and belts. Find out what the quote included because of it includes the water pump it's probably a good price. The pump includes the supercharger clutch and is genuine only.
You can always ring a few other places and see what they quote. It's not great that a timing chain can't even last as long as a belt.

[asa572]

Don't ever think a chain will always out last a belt, it's not the case.
Seen VE commodore chains ****ed in under 60,000 klm's.
I have a mate who bought a MkV GTI with 105,000 kl's on it.
First thing he did was put a timing belt kit in it, went to fit it and the pump,pulleys and tensioners were right but the belt wasn't.
So he fitted everything bar the belt and threw his old belt back on as he needed the car on the road.
He know has over 300,000 klm's on the original belt.

[MKynaston]

Always thought timing chains last longer than belts and didn't need servicing meaning having a timing chain was an advantage. Guess not. So just to confirm the chain does need servicing (car has only done 90,000 km) and if it includes things such as water pump etc $1600 is not to bad. Thanks in advance.

[Lucas_R]

VW/Audi have a habit of making rubbish timing chains that stretch - Polo 77TSI, Golf 118TSI, Golf GTI, Audi 4.2 V8.....no doubt theres others but thats all i can think of currently that regularly have issues.

[3C4M Guy]

VW/Audi have a habit of making rubbish timing chains that stretch - Polo 77TSI, Golf 118TSI, Golf GTI, Audi 4.2 V8.....no doubt theres others but thats all i can think of currently that regularly have issues.

You can add the Golf/Passat VR6 engine to this list. Early chains stretched and commonly flagged a camshaft/crankshaft correlation error. Replacement chains have a new part number which hopefully offers better quality and longevity. A chain should last longer than a belt that is designed to be replaced, but the suspect VW chain quality means this is sometimes not the case.

Oh, and I'm distressed to see the Audi 4.2 V8 on your list as a car using this engine is close to number 1 on my wish list!

[Lucas_R]

You can add the Golf/Passat VR6 engine to this list. Early chains stretched and commonly flagged a camshaft/crankshaft correlation error. Replacement chains have a new part number which hopefully offers better quality and longevity. A chain should last longer than a belt that is designed to be replaced, but the suspect VW chain quality means this is sometimes not the case.

Oh, and I'm distressed to see the Audi 4.2 V8 on your list as a car using this engine is close to number 1 on my wish list!

You are correct the the 3.2 and 3.6 V6 engines are also prone to chain stretch in the earlier models. Unfortunately yes the 4.2 V8 used in the S4/RS4/S5/RS5 (and several other models) is one of the worst cases of failed timing chains and bad tensioners/guides.....and to make it worse, the timing chain on these engines is at the back (near the firewall) so basically you need to remove the engine to replace the chains and tensioners. Ive always wanted one of the 4.2L V8's, but the timing chain issue as well as the bad carbon buildup problems this engine is known for has forced me to scrap it off my list.

[3C4M Guy]

You are correct the the 3.2 and 3.6 V6 engines are also prone to chain stretch in the earlier models. Unfortunately yes the 4.2 V8 used in the S4/RS4/S5/RS5 (and several other models) is one of the worst cases of failed timing chains and bad tensioners/guides.....and to make it worse, the timing chain on these engines is at the back (near the firewall) so basically you need to remove the engine to replace the chains and tensioners. Ive always wanted one of the 4.2L V8's, but the timing chain issue as well as the bad carbon buildup problems this engine is known for has forced me to scrap it off my list.

Thanks for that good information Lucas. Do you know what year the better chains started to be fitted to 3.2L & 3.6L VR6s? Where the B7 Passats OK?

An Audi B7 RS4 4.2L V8 has been my dream car for a long time. However having had to replace the timing chains on my 3.2L VR6, it's very sobering to think that it might have to be done if I owned a RS4. That's a big negative for the 4.2L V8! Although I guess removing the engine is no worse than removing a 3.2L engine AND DSG on a VW due to the timing chains being on the DSG side of the engine. So now I also need to factor in carbon build up as well as the common DRC suspension failures.