Audi A3 S Line 2018 1.5 TFSI Cambelt replacement costs

[cammy0102]

Hi gents, I have an Audi A3 S Line 2018 (1.5 TFSI) model which is about 5 years old and has done about 21K miles hence the timing belt needs to replaced soon I think. I'm in West London (Ealing). A local garage quoted £600 just for the timing belt replacement (said no need to change water pump). West London Audi quoted over £900 (can't remember the exact amount) which seems like a lot of money. Has anyone had a timing belt replaced recently? If so how much did it cost? Can you recommend any garages near me?
I've always had the car serviced at West London Audi. If I get the job done at an independent garage, can I still say 'Full Audi service history' if I sell the car in the future?
Cheers.

PS: Got a quote of £520 from a garage called Audi VW Specialist Centre LTD in Harrow, London. That's the best so far and being an Audi specialist I'd imagine they use genuine Audi parts. Has anyone used them before?

 

[NHN]

Don't assume anything including the moniker Audi specialist, do your r&d of them & ask them to confirm 100% they will use genuine kits & which oil they will use.

 

[cammy0102]

Thanks will check with them. Is £510 a fair price if they are using genuine Audi parts?
Also Will I be able to say 'Full Audi service history' if I sell the car in the future? I've heard that Audi only accepts cars with full Audi history when you part exchange.

 

[NHN]

The price isnt the question, as I've done the work myself & it can be done wrong (thankfully not by me lol) & the consequences are far more expensive & the garage would never admit to a fault by them.

The question is how much do you value your car to be worked on & the cam completed properly without side effects.

It's a cheap price for a non dealer, cam kit, water pump, etc all costs & there are some good aftermarket kits but it's upto you what's more peace of mind & don't get me wrong there's also allot of reputable garages out there, just do your research & ask the questions.

 

[cammy0102]

I've checked with them again and he said they only use genuine Audi parts and offer 2 years warranty. It's also on their website. https://audivwsc.co.uk/
They seem to have decent reviews on Google (I understand people can write fake reviews). I've never used them before and have always serviced the car at West London Audi for the 3 years I've had it but £900 seems pretty steep for a timing belt change (no need to change the water pump for this model I've been told).

This quote got me worried though!:
I've done the work myself & it can be done wrong (thankfully not by me lol) & the consequences are far more expensive & the garage would never admit to a fault by them.

So if done wrong I won't be able to tell straight away when driving the car?

 

[NHN]

If the belt is fitted badly as in timings of then you'll probably notice fairly quickly, if they make a really bad meal of it then the car will not last long.

However this is the worst case scenario & if they stand by their work, reviews are good & they offer 2 years warranty then if say use them, but I'm not advocating anyone who I don't know myself from work I've had done or clients, I'm just basing my comments on your posts.

 

[cammy0102]

Yeah I understand. Wonder if anyone else on this forum has used them?

 

[NHN]

Maybe you're over thinking this, if reviews are good & they offer as they state then use them.

 

[atce]

Yeah I understand. Wonder if anyone else on this forum has used them?

I used them for a service and they were good and reasonably priced. However you might want to check that they are able to do a cambelt change on the 1.5 engine.
I have a 1.5 TFSI A3 and am in the same position in that mine is 5 years old and is due a cambelt change.

The 1.5 engine requires a special tool that 1.2 and 1.4 engines don't require in order to do the cambelt change.
This tool costs around £1700 and it's unlikely independents will have it, even some Audi dealers don't as I believe it's only now coming up to around 5 years since the 1.5 was introduced so very few will have had their cambelts changed as yet.

It is important that this job is done correctly as the ACT function may well be affected if not done properly meaning warning lights on the dash and an engine that isn't running like it should.

I have been quoted £1k by Audi - as much as I would like to use an independent I don't think that will be possible.

Take a look at this video which will explain what I'm talking about.


Graham

 

[cammy0102]

Hi Graham, that's very useful information cheers. I was leaning towards taking the car to them but now I'm concerned.
I assumed that had all the right tools to do the job when they quoted. They are meant to be Audi specialists so surely they've had training on the right tools for newer engines or at least aware of them?
I can ring them up and ask if they have the right tools for the 1.5 TFSI engine but I suspect they are going to say yes!
Are you thinking of taking your car to the Audi dealer then for the cambelt change? I've been quoted around £900 by West London Audi. Wimbledon Audi were a bit more.

 

[atce]

Hi Graham, that's very useful information cheers. I was leaning towards taking the car to them but now I'm concerned.
I assumed that had all the right tools to do the job when they quoted. They are meant to be Audi specialists so surely they've had training on the right tools for newer engines or at least aware of them?
I can ring them up and ask if they have the right tools for the 1.5 TFSI engine but I suspect they are going to say yes!
Are you thinking of taking your car to the Audi dealer then for the cambelt change? I've been quoted around £900 by West London Audi. Wimbledon Audi were a bit more.

Well worth calling them to ask about it. I got a quote of £600 from an independent in Norwich but when they realised it was a 1.5 they said they couldn't do it as it needed a special tool.

I have booked mine in to Norwich Audi next month for the cambelt change, brake fluid change and an oil service, reckon I'm looking at around £1200 total which is somewhat frightening but as the car has a full Audi service history thinking it may be worth it when I decide to change it.
I'm hoping Audi have the correct tool and the expertise to do the job so should anything go wrong it's down to them to sort it - with luck that won't happen!

 

[cammy0102]

I rang Audi VW Specialist Centre LTD in Harrow again, mentioned that I've been told there's a special tool needed for the 1.5 TFSI engine and asked him if they have it. He said yes without even thinking about it. I'm not convinced they do. Might just take it to Audi for the peace of mind.

 

[atce]

Personally I would go with Audi for peace of mind. It's possible the Audi Specialist Centre do have the tool but the job is complex and I wonder how many they have done, if any!

 

[cammy0102]

Cheers Graham, I think I'm going to take it to West London Audi for the Cambelt change and get MOT done at the same time (they've offered free MOTs for 5 years with a cambelt change). Yeah they are over £300 more expensive but I don't want to take any chances with the engine.

 

[cammy0102]

Graham (and others). I took my car to West London Audi this morning and the service consultant said he wasn't sure if a cambelt replacement was needed for this engine. He then went and checked Audi maitenance details for this model and said there's no record for a cambelt change hence I don't need one. I asked him to send an email confirming that (so if I do have an issue with the engine I can point to the advice given by Audi). He also said that the booking team don't have access to the Audi maintenance/service details and they would have just booked it because most cars need a cambelt replacement after 5 years.

So before you go spend a lot of money please check this.

 

[atce]

Graham (and others). I took my car to West London Audi this morning and the service consultant said he wasn't sure if a cambelt replacement was needed for this engine. He then went and checked Audi maitenance details for this model and said there's no record for a cambelt change hence I don't need one. I asked him to send an email confirming that (so if I do have an issue with the engine I can point to the advice given by Audi). He also said that the booking team don't have access to the Audi maintenance/service details and they would have just booked it because most cars need a cambelt replacement after 5 years.

So before you go spend a lot of money please check this.

That's interesting, thanks for letting us know.
I will speak to Norwich Audi and see what they say and let you know their response

 

[atce]

Just spoken to the service dept at Norwich Audi. They checked and also said that there is no requirement for a cambelt change on the 1.5 TFSI engine.
cammy0102 you've saved us both a considerable amount of money, thank you!

 

[cammy0102]

The guy just rang me and gave me conflicting information. He said he checked with Audi UK and they still recommend changing cambelt every 5 years but Audi (manufacturer) doesn't mention anything about cambelt change for the 1.5 TFSI engine. I don't know what to do now!
Edit - He can't give me anything in writing saying a cambelt change is not needed, because Audi UK recommends a cambelt change.

Edit - I know the guy was trying to help me (not charge me for something not required). He offered free MOT (which I'm getting done today) because of the confusion.

 

[cammy0102]

Just spoken to the service dept at Norwich Audi. They checked and also said that there is no requirement for a cambelt change on the 1.5 TFSI engine.
cammy0102 you've saved us both a considerable amount of money, thank you!

Read my previous message mate. I'm confused now whether to do this or not. I've asked the guy to talk to their service deapartment and check whether they've done many cambelt changes for the 1.5TFSI engine.

 

[atce]

Yes it's all very confusing.

I'm inclined now to wait a year or two especially as both ours have done less than 20k miles.
I appreciate that cambelts can deteriorate over time, probably more likely though that a tensioner or pulley might fail before the belt itself during that time.

Be interesting to hear how many belts West London Audi have changed, not many I suspect.

 

[cammy0102]

When he rang me I asked him if they had done any 1.5L engines recently. He said just one 2 weeks ago because the customer insisted.

I'm going to ask him to find out what Audi manufacturer guidelines on the smaller engines. Because he told me this morning that he knows 1.2l and 1.4l (or maybe it was 1l and 1.2l) engines need the cambelt changed but not the 1.5l.
Anyway I think I probably won't get it done unless there's strong evidence it should be done.

 

[cammy0102]

I think this is poor from Audi and Audi UK. Both of them should be on the same page. It's bad if the Audi dealers are not sure whether a cambelt change is needed for a particular engine. This is only confusing customers.

 

[atce]

I think this is poor from Audi and Audi UK. Both of them should be on the same page. It's bad if the Audi dealers are not sure whether a cambelt change is needed for a particular engine. This is only confusing customers.

Couldn't agree more

 

[cammy0102]

In any case, I'm glad I checked here. Other garages (including Audi specialists) would have just replaced it (even without the right tools).
I think I trust the Audi dealer more than other garages (haven't used any Audi specialists yet). Will probably continue to get my service done at Audi. Might go to an Audi specialist if it's something like changing brake pads/discs.

Does anyone know when they usually offer the 25% off for 2 services deal?

 

[atce]

For reference the tool required for a cambelt change is VAS611007

 

[Slehee]

In any case, I'm glad I checked here. Other garages (including Audi specialists) would have just replaced it (even without the right tools).
I think I trust the Audi dealer more than other garages (haven't used any Audi specialists yet). Will probably continue to get my service done at Audi. Might go to an Audi specialist if it's something like changing brake pads/discs.

Does anyone know when they usually offer the 25% off for 2 services deal?

Hi cammy!
just read through the story here and actually I recently purchased an Audi a3 s line 2018 1.5 tfsi from West London Audi, I don’t see any info in the service records what they sent over with regards to the timing belt. But they gave one year electric and mechanical warranty to the car, and apparently they have a 140 ish check on every car they sell. So if they are covering a 5.5 year car with a year warranty it has 31 thousand miles, then I guess it should be fine. But I’m curious as well so if you have any other info please let us know.
Cheers

 

[AJB]

When he rang me I asked him if they had done any 1.5L engines recently. He said just one 2 weeks ago because the customer insisted.

I'm going to ask him to find out what Audi manufacturer guidelines on the smaller engines. Because he told me this morning that he knows 1.2l and 1.4l (or maybe it was 1l and 1.2l) engines need the cambelt changed but not the 1.5l.
Anyway I think I probably won't get it done unless there's strong evidence it should be done.

It's the same situation on the 1.4 at least. The printed service schedule which comes with the car says the belt doesn't need changing (think it's either change or check at 122,000 miles, with no time limit, or something like that - I'd have to check to be sure). Audi Germany agree with that. But Audi UK say to change it every 5 years regardless of mileage.

 

[KC22]

Hi- In the same position. I called a local garage and he said for 1.5 TFSI you don't need to change it every 5 years but at the 120k mile mark. Feels like Audi are just covering themselves here with the 5-year thing. My car has 33k on it, so doesn't seem worth the expense to be fair. Audi are quoting me nearly £1k, whereas local places are around half the price.

 

[sebtomato]

I have a A3 1.5 TFSi from 2017. I asked Audi UK today about the cam belt replacement interval.

They said: "Audi recommendation for the timing belt change interval on your vehicle is every 15 years or 180,000 miles whichever comes first."

 

[JBW333]

Hi. I have a 2018 A3 1.5 TFSi with only 24,000 miles and had a call from my local Audi garage saying I was due a cam belt change. I was looking for confirmation on when the cambelt needed changing as my mileage is relatively low and came across this discussion thread. I was a bit confused reading the posts so ended up contacting Audi UK. They confirmed that for my vehicle cam belt intervals “there is no mileage or time stipulation for the cam belt. It is fitted for life”. This is the information the guy I ‘chatted with’ got from their Technical Team. He added that the cam belt interval change from only mileage and no more years took effect from 1st July 2023”. Hope this helps others.

 

[stevedarnell25]

Hi. I have a 2018 A3 1.5 TFSi with only 24,000 miles and had a call from my local Audi garage saying I was due a cam belt change. I was looking for confirmation on when the cambelt needed changing as my mileage is relatively low and came across this discussion thread. I was a bit confused reading the posts so ended up contacting Audi UK. They confirmed that for my vehicle cam belt intervals “there is no mileage or time stipulation for the cam belt. It is fitted for life”. This is the information the guy I ‘chatted with’ got from their Technical Team. He added that the cam belt interval change from only mileage and no more years took effect from 1st July 2023”. Hope this helps others.

thanks JBW that really helpful - did you get that in writing/email from them and what email address did you contact? Many thanks

 

[JBW333]

thanks JBW that really helpful - did you get that in writing/email from them and what email address did you contact? Many thanks

Hi Steve - I contacted them through their 'chat' facility so there didn't seem to be a phone number and I wanted to be able to save the conversation if needed. But I got an email with our 'chat' conversation script which I have kept.