Cambelt Replacement

[Jonnie]

I just got an email from Audi saying that my cambelt is due for replacement (car is a 12 plate and has 65k miles) and the cost is £495.

But they’ll also replace the water pump and do free MOTs for life. I’ll probably keep the car 2-3 more years so that’s worth about £100-£150 in MOTs alone.

Would it be cheaper to just go to an independent and get it done by them? Is it even due for a replacement? Does the water pump even need replacing?

And is the free MOTs just an excuse to get you in so they can find issues and up sell?

Just wondering what other people have done and how it’s worked out for them.

 

[Bryant1998]

I just got an email from Audi saying that my cambelt is due for replacement (car is a 12 plate and has 65k miles) and the cost is £495.

But they’ll also replace the water pump and do free MOTs for life. I’ll probably keep the car 2-3 more years so that’s worth about £100-£150 in MOTs alone.

Would it be cheaper to just go to an independent and get it done by them? Is it even due for a replacement? Does the water pump even need replacing?

And is the free MOTs just an excuse to get you in so they can find issues and up sell?

Just wondering what other people have done and how it’s worked out for them.

My old a3 had the cam belt done at about 60/65k so I’d imagine that is about right, better to be on the safe side and just get it done rather than wait for it to go...

Personally I’d just pay the £495, like you said you’re gonna keep it for another 2-3 years, so that’s -£150 (£345)
When I had my water pump done at 70k that was about £140 plus labour (say £50) so that takes you to £155 for your cambelt.

And you get the peace of mind having it done at Audi, and that will work in your favour when it comes to selling, (and mention the free mot’s for life)


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[SootySport]

Good price for all that mate. They may try and get more work out of the mot checks later but i’m Sure you’ll recognise any dodgy suggestions the service dept might make.

 

[Jonnie]

Cheers for both of your advice, I’ll get it booked in then. Just wanted to check it wasn’t too good to be true

 

[s5joe]

Depends we’re you are to have a good Indy do it as I know awesome gti do it cheeper than that.

 

[Daveyonthemove]

I paid £380 for pump and belt change at a VAG specialist, so their price isn't bad if you utilise the free MOT's for the duration of the ownership.

 

[Nessy]

In early 2017 my car had a cambelt change done at a local Audi specialist, all Genuine parts used (belts, tensioners, water pump etc) and the cost was £400.
So I’d agree with the other posters that the main dealer price is good , given that you intend keeping the car a few years...

 

[Jonnie]

They may try and get more work out of the mot checks later but i’m Sure you’ll recognise any dodgy suggestions the service dept might make.

Just picked the car up from having the cambelt done, the list of additional advisory work suggested to be carried out totalled £1,159.46. Including important things such as "damaged fuel cap tether £44.99" and "rear indicator slightly white £35.83"

On one hand it's absurd they've found so many little things but on the other I'm impressed their "Health check" goes into that much detail.

 

[samuelh_888]

A new genuine fuel cap, which includes the tether is £24.00. I believe you can bet the tether separately. What else did they advise on to make £1,159.46 or did this include the cambelt too?

 

[Jonnie]

A new genuine fuel cap, which includes the tether is £24.00. I believe you can bet the tether separately. What else did they advise on to make £1,159.46 or did this include the cambelt too?

I guess they’re quoting £20.99 for labour then on the fuel cap.

The £1,159.46 was made up of

Washers - front - require clean £16.80
Rear indicator slightly white £35.11
All wipers worn £56.11 (they’re all under 6 months old as replaced due to them saying the same after my MOT. They quoted £54.68 then).
Front brake pads and disks worn 60% £309
Rear brake pads and disks work 40-50% £265
Front shock cover deformed £377.02 (from the Audi cam there was the tiniest bit of play in the cover on one side)
Fuel cap £44.99
Spare-CAN-canister £54.71

They also recommended I replaced the windscreen due to a chip in front of the passenger but didn’t quote for it.

The cambelt was a separate £495. Did make me chuckle that £3.57+Vat of that was for water.

 

[Bryant1998]

I guess they’re quoting £20.99 for labour then on the fuel cap.

The £1,159.46 was made up of

Washers - front - require clean £16.80
Rear indicator slightly white £35.11
All wipers worn £56.11 (they’re all under 6 months old as replaced due to them saying the same after my MOT. They quoted £54.68 then).
Front brake pads and disks worn 60% £309
Rear brake pads and disks work 40-50% £265
Front shock cover deformed £377.02 (from the Audi cam there was the tiniest bit of play in the cover on one side)
Fuel cap £44.99
Spare-CAN-canister £54.71

They also recommended I replaced the windscreen due to a chip in front of the passenger but didn’t quote for it.

The cambelt was a separate £495. Did make me chuckle that £3.57+Vat of that was for water.

Mate I honestly can’t believe you payed that, my S3 has FASH and I’ll continue to get it serviced there, but I’d never let them shake me down like that


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[samuelh_888]

Mate I honestly can’t believe you payed that, my S3 has FASH and I’ll continue to get it serviced there, but I’d never let them shake me down like that

I don’t think he paid any more than the £495. The £1100+ was advisories.

 

[Bryant1998]

I don’t think he paid any more than the £495. The £1100+ was advisories.

Oh that’s fair enough haha, I just can’t read


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[Daveyonthemove]

A new genuine fuel cap, which includes the tether is £24.00. I believe you can bet the tether separately. What else did they advise on to make £1,159.46 or did this include the cambelt too?

That's good to know, the tether on mine has been broken since I collected the car.
Do you know the part number by any chance?

Edit
Found it: 1J0201550A

 

[Jonnie]

Mate I honestly can’t believe you payed that, my S3 has FASH and I’ll continue to get it serviced there, but I’d never let them shake me down like that


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I don’t think he paid any more than the £495. The £1100+ was advisories.

Correct, I only paid the £495

 

[Retroman]

£495 is a damn good price for Audi using top quality OE parts - I'd be more than happy with that. These main dealers always try and milk some extra advisory work as you have found. My local BMW dealer wanted £100 to change my wife's auxiliary belt on her Mini - I bought a Continental one for £7.60