newbie : S3 in Birmingham

[badgerbrock]

Hi everyone

im now the proud owner of a 02 S3, picked it up a week or so ago very low mileage one-owner, standard in Dolphin Grey.

First thing i need to get done is a cambelt/water pump change reading some of the other posts on here. Its 6 years old in May 08, still on the original belt. Only 26k miles but due to the age i'd feel happier knowing its done. Which leads me to my first question! Where can I find a reputable independant in Birmingham (pref North, im in Sutton) that can do a good job, genuine parts at a reasonable price? I know of Jabbasport in Peterborough, they quote £350 for the job. Was hoping for somewhere a bit nearer though.

Do any other belts/parts need to be changed at the same time, or is it just the Cambelt and (metal) waterpump?

Finally, my mileage is going to be very low, prob no more than 8k per year, its currently on Long-Life servicing and hence its not had new oil since July 06... which in my car's case is only 5000 miles ago!! I presume its a good idea to give it some new oil too?? and probably change it onto fixed service schedule too?

cheers for reading, and I promise to get some pics up soon!

Garry

 

[golf]

Source the parts yourself from places like GSF (gsfcarparts.com) or EuroCarParts (eurocarparts.com), and just pay for labour. Belts on these 1.8T engines are a doddle, I took mine to a specialist who only charged me 1 and a half hour labour on my A4, and two hours on my S3.

 

[mbs3]

Im in sutton too! you may of seen my car about, ming blue s3 on german plates lowered andd bbs split rims.

Best place to go is midland VW in cannock. This is an independent VAG specialists. A bloke calles Joe runs it, they really know there stuff up there, hes done a lot of work for me on my cars over the years from remaps to suspension to a new cylinder head!

Its in norton caynes just before hednesford.

 

[ash_s3]

Id read up on the waterpumps mate, some still stick with the plastic impellor and some only go with the metal one and theres genuine reasons for both

Just a thought

Ash

 

[badgerbrock]

cheers guys for the responses so far,

mbs3, wow small world another Sutton member - aint seen you about but will now keep my eyes peeled? having said that, hang on are you on a private plate and sometimes drive down Riland Rd in the mornings?

Can I find the garage you mention on the internet?

cheers

Garry

 

[jonS3]

get a quote from Audi, I know the dealer in Stoke only charges £250 all in IIRC

as for any other work, check your history to see what been done and look at the service schedule to see what should have been done

p.s i'll keep an eye out as i'm not too far away!

 

[Nilz]

Welcome to the forum mate, another Brummie...always good to see, Midland VW have a good rep as already mentioned above, also it may be good to get the parts yourself from Euros or GSF and get someone you know to do the work.....Good luck with the car.....

Where did you get your car from if you dont mind me asking??

 

[bantam1]

Another vote for midland VW. Website is here;

http://www.midlandvw.com/

I'm SW brum and always go up to them.

 

[Nilz]

Bantam, where you from and what do u drive???

 

[bantam1]

Bantam, where you from and what do u drive???

Live in Kings Norton and have a black S3.

 

[mbs3]

yeah i drive througth riland rd regular, as i only live a mile or so up the road. Not on private plates thougth, and used to be on avus wheels , as i only put the bbs on two weeks ago.

You probably seen my mates black r32 about then too that sounds like its going to take off!

 

[badgerbrock]

nilz18t,

I picked it up on a private sale from a chap in London, one owner and he lives very central, which basically means he didnt use it atall during the week... hence only 26k on a 2002 car!

which is why im wanting the Cambelt and waterpump changed, not cause of the mileage but cause of the age.

cheers guys so far for the tips, has anyone tried the one over Dudley way, cant think of the name (vw specialist I think..?)

cheers

Garry

 

[Nilz]

Badgerbrock

Good stuff, sounds like you got a good deal, all the best with it mate....

 

[peakey]

****** Hell im in Great Barr and never see anyone


look out for me S3 HPK

 

[peakey]

 

[Nilz]

Peakey, you say you are in Great Barr, do you ever venture out of that area, as it looks like we are all the other side of town from you.....

 

[peakey]

Im in sutton most weekends shopping tho

 

[Nilz]

Oh well, if you come down our sides, you may get your name up in lights on the spotters forum

 

[jim s3]

just out of interest how many people with s3's actually live in brum....

 

[peakey]

Iv spotted 3 in Great Barr

 

[Nilz]

I would say quite a few, there is at least 10 owners just on this forum....

 

[Nilz]

Badgerbrock, did you end up getting the belt and pump changed??

If so, how much and where from??

 

[ash_s3]

Stafford Audi have an offer on at the moment, £275 for cambelt change
When you phone up mention 'ebay'

 

[peakey]

Im booked in at MIDLANDVW in 2 weeks 260 notes all in cambelt and water pump

 

[badgerbrock]

Hi everyone.

Just to say, I got the work done (Cambelt, Metal WaterPump, and 'V-belt') and an oil/filter change all in for £325 at Midland VW (cheers for the tip)

Just one thing though, beware of their loan car (Silver gold MKIV 1.4S) - broke down on me twice ended up on the back of a tow-truck wasting my entire afternoon....

Other than that, great service and Jay seems to know his stuff. Would definately recommend them - the Cambelt / Water Pump on their own would have been £260.

Cheers

Garry:icon_thumright:

 

[Nilz]

Just out of interest, when is the recommended mileage to change the cambelt on an S3??

Glad you got the car done btw, sounds like a good job done.

 

[jojo]

Just out of interest, when is the recommended mileage to change the cambelt on an S3??

Glad you got the car done btw, sounds like a good job done.

5 years or 60k miles - which ever is sooner - is what we recommend on here Nilz.

 

[Nilz]

Cool, thanks, how long does it take Mid VW to replace the cambelt and waterpump???

 

[peakey]

Well iv just looked at all my paperwork from when i got my car and there are no clues if my belt has ever been changed and im now on 114k. Thats why it booked in next week for it. Was wondering if they would be able to tell by looking at the belt if it has been done before?

cheers

As for the question on how long it takes to do the belt il let you know next week as iv gotta wait