Major Service? Hmmm

[GTiBEER]

I had my MOT on Friday and it passed with no advisories which was a relief this side of Xmas. I spoke to the guy at the desk but it was at my old Audi garage, who i have been going to for years as i get cheap parts and work done out of hours, and i asked him how much a major service was and he seemed to think my car wasn't due one.

My car was 4 years old in November and has done 54K. My understanding is that a Mk5 Golf needs its cambelt change at 4 years or 60k, which ever comes first. The guy behind the desk said that Audi's that age needed the major service at 5 years or 70k, which i already knew having two Audis previously.

I know that VW own audi and that they both use the same TFSI engines (i think don't quote me please) so why are they not the same?

Who's right as my car belt is sounding a little annoying when she is started up and left running idle.

[searly]

Hi mate,

its due a major sevice ,  mine is 4 yrs Jans and looking at the schedule I need
1 ) DSG oil change
2 ) Cambelt and advised on here to get Water Pump at the same time
3 )  Brake Fluid

[hellotherejack]

Hi,

i had always read on forums and been advised by friends who had GTi's that the cambelt needed changed after 60k - so when i took mines to my local "Independant VW Specialist" for my 60k service i was amazed when he informed me the cam belt was good for 115k -

The Owner was a master technician for Audi for many years and and left to start his own gargage a few years back.

I foolishly asked " are u sure?" as i had the money ready to pay for the change - he assured me once more and gave the belt a through check on my service and again confirmed it had years to go before i paid for the change.

His advice was by all means get GTI's serviced regularly as they will check the cam belt for sings of wear and damage but dont be fooled into the 60k i have to change it philosophy..


just giving you my experiance.

cheers.

[hellotherejack]

sorry meant to add - 05 GTi , 68k miles on the clock.

 

[coullstar]

It tells you in the service book does it not?

[edd666999]

VW say that it needs doing at 4years or 60k and not doing it at this point will pretty much invalidate any warranty or good will warranty jobs you may need in the future.

Might as well get it done as you will have to pay for it at some point!

[S800BRN]

I was advised by my local Audi/VW specialist that the cambelt check was due at 60000 miles only not time dependent.
Mine's an 05 and 20000 miles so was asking for a price for the major service.
I was told that I didn't need it yet. Not like a garage to knock back work like this so I trust him.
Was quoted £500 if I wanted to go ahead with the service btw.

[no golf clubs at all]

^^^

Call Vw direct to verify, many of us already have. It's 4 years/60k for replacement of the belt.

Do you think your trusty garage will buy you a new engine if it fails? Errr no. They'll say that Vw changed the schedule and didn't tell them and it was up to you to verify, or something like that.

I think we all know that Vw are talking pants but it's their pants! There was absolutely nowt wrong with mine when I replaced it but I am no gambling man...just make the call.

[ub7rm]

....

I think we all know that Vw are talking pants but it's their pants! There was absolutely nowt wrong with mine when I replaced it but I am no gambling man...just make the call.

Spot on.  The 4 year thing is just a scam, its only a VW Uk thing.  Personally I think 60k / 5 years is sensible and would have had it done anyway.  But for the sake of future good will and a fsh you just have to suck it up.

[vRS Carl]

VAG change there minds all the time. My service book says 80k miles but I got it done at 52k for piece of mind. It also states brake fluid change every 2 years but when I went in last for one that I thought was due on my Diseasel the technician showed me the TSB which said the first one is now after 3 years and then every 2 years subsequently.

It gets altered all the time I think due to research and knowledge as the cars get older and they can see what problems are or aren't developing.

I think the major servicing depends on the servicing regime. I know on variable that the 3rd service is a major one (which is what I had when I got the cam belt done) but not sure on time & distance regimes.

If you are unsure or want piece of mind insist you want a major service doing and the Cambelt and Water pump changing.

[garrardrj]

So how many Cambelts have broken on MK5 GTI's then?
Anyone know anyone who knows of a broken one?
I 've never heard of one. But then those on here will say that its because most people get them changed. But Cambelts are alot more durable than they ever used to be. They used to break regularly. If they were not so durable now manufacturers wouldn't use them.

[vRS Carl]

As you say I haven't heard of one that is gone.

But look at it this way.

Cambelt & Water pump change - Circa £450

New engine replacement - Circa £6000 not including labour to fit.

So really its a case of not taking the risk. 

[h4rdy]

As you say I haven't heard of one that is gone.

But look at it this way.

Cambelt & Water pump change - Circa £450

New engine replacement - Circa £6000 not including labour to fit.

So really its a case of not taking the risk. 

Plenty of engines come up second hand/new for between £1k and £1.5k!

For £6k I would want it from APR!

[vRS Carl]

I was talking in terms of from a dealer. Even so it's still double or triple the cost of a Cambelt change.