Water Pump

[S3 NIK]

As a new owner to the Audi S3 i am wanting some expert advice from fellow owners.
I was talking to a guy today who informed me that the particular engine in the S3 is prone to water pump failure, is this the case?

My car is a Nov 2000 face lift S3 with 25k on the clock.

One last thing can anyone give a rough price for timing belt and pump replacement at a specialist garage rather than main stealer.

Thanks
Nik.

[AndyMac]

Yes definately, especially a car that age. Has the timing belt ever been done on it? There's a lot of conflicting info about when it hould be replaced (even from Audi themselves), but the consensus is 60-70k miles or 4-5 years. And ensure the water pump is done at the same time and replaced with the metal impeller version not the fisher price Audi crap.
The whole lot will cost you £350-£450 at a specialist, over half the cost is labour.

[S3 NIK]

Thanks for the quick response. The car is in at a local garage this weekend for an oil change so i will enquire about the belt and pump.
The car is extremely low mileage but as you say, age is also a consideration, however, is the mileage or the age a key factor?

Nik.

Yes definately, especially a car that age. Has the timing belt ever been done on it? There's a lot of conflicting info about when it hould be replaced (even from Audi themselves), but the consensus is 60-70k miles or 4-5 years. And ensure the water pump is done at the same time and replaced with the metal impeller version not the fisher price Audi crap.
The whole lot will cost you £350-£450 at a specialist, over half the cost is labour.

[ash_s3]

My mate works at a VW/Audi specialist garage and did mine as a foreigner for £160.

Its always worth asking someone at one of these garages as they can usually do the job to the exact same standard and using genuine parts.

Got the invoice for the parts and a stamp in the book, job done.

[AndyMac]

And they actually have a passion for doing a good job which seems to have disappeared from main dealers too busy being run by ****ing accountants like everything these days.

[S3 NIK]

Got the car booked in for a new timing belt + tensioners & metal impeller water pump.
All being done by a local VW Audi specialist for 270 including vat and antifreeze.
Doesn't seem too bad to me.
Nik.

[RussUK]

Got the car booked in for a new timing belt + tensioners & metal impeller water pump.
All being done by a local VW Audi specialist for 270 including vat and antifreeze.
Doesn't seem too bad to me.
Nik.

Now that is cheap, who and where?

[S3 NIK]

Turnbulls in Middlesbrough.

Now that is cheap, who and where?

[A4Quattro]

did my waterpump myself when changing the cambelt, the old one was definately showing bearing wear, lateral movement was in the region of around 2/3 of a mm at least which is apalling on a 2 year old 60k waterpump.
I have worked on ford cortina's in the past that are 18 years old on the same W/P and nowhere near as much play. Bad show Audi.

[S3 NIK]

For what these cars cost and to have a known below par water pump VAG should stick their hands in their pockets and replace all water pumps on all effected cars for free.
Pipe dream i know!

did my waterpump myself when changing the cambelt, the old one was definately showing bearing wear, lateral movement was in the region of around 2/3 of a mm at least which is apalling on a 2 year old 60k waterpump.
I have worked on ford cortina's in the past that are 18 years old on the same W/P and nowhere near as much play. Bad show Audi.