Cambelt question

[Five Alive]

having my cambelt done soon at my local independent garage who i generally go to,

they can do it with or with out genuine parts, it works out about £130 cheaper to do it with pattern parts?

its a 54 plate gti, whats everyones thoughts worth the extra for genuine or not?

[Tarmac_Terrorist]

I would go with genuine parts. I assume you don't know the non-OEM part manufacturer?

It could be fine but on the other hand it could be a cheapy made from less durable material. The whole point of replacing a cam belt is to save unnecessary damage to the engine so why compromise.

Just my 2p's worth 

[rich83]

Cambelt is very critical  to engine operation and future reliability... use OEM only!

[alexperkins]

Agreed. NEVER use anything but OEM cambelts and tensioners.

You get a fully backed 2 year warranty with VW parts too.

[TagnuT]

I would go with genuine parts. I assume you don't know the non-OEM part manufacturer?

It could be fine but on the other hand it could be a cheapy made from less durable material. The whole point of replacing a cam belt is to save unnecessary damage to the engine so why compromise.

Just my 2p's worth 

+1

[ub7rm]

Agree with the above - sometimes pattern parts are just the OEM parts but with the manufacturers badge instead of VW's.  If you can find out this is the case there is nothing wrong with pattern parts but unless you know for sure I wouldn't chance it with something as critical as the cambelt.

[humkar]

Agree with the above - sometimes pattern parts are just the OEM parts but with the manufacturers badge instead of VW's.  If you can find out this is the case there is nothing wrong with pattern parts but unless you know for sure I wouldn't chance it with something as critical as the cambelt.

Note the keyword, "sometimes". You're better off getting the Real McCoy . I would have also suggested you got the work done from the Stealers. I know they put their "Das Auto Tax" on all their prices but if things go wrong you've got someone with money to hold accountable.

[titchy]

if you use dayco or gates belt kits they are as good as oem any day

[jmspear]

agreed def OEM parts for such a critical item, little story fo non oem parts, did a track day at Oulton Park two weekends ago, friend was there in his Porsche 993, he had fitted brand new Pagid front pads, bought form ECP the night before, the Pagid pads are OEM suppliers AFAIK, by lunch time the pads had completely gone to dust and the pad backing metal was grinding onto the disk, he almost had a big moment when his brakes faded as the last of the material dissapeared, that is a new pad gone in THREE sessions of 15 minutes, they were obviously fake chinese copies that had somehow got into Euro car parts suppy chain, that is what can happen with non OEM parts, now image your cambelt letting go in 10k miles............. go OEM!!

[hugh jass]

 Will VW stand by the 2 year warranty if the belt is fitted by an indi garage.       who makes these belts for VW?
                                     Ive seen what some of the VW  &%^$£"$%%  do to pass time in the workshop

[alexperkins]

The 2 year warranty is with the parts regardless of who installs it generally speaking

The belts are mostly made by continental

[Five Alive]

Got no issues with having done at a non dealer, they have just done an ed30 there and a gti, no issues with there work and why pay double for the same service? But I know what your saying about genuine parts though

[hugh jass]

 VW parts and indi garage it is then.

[jbc]

I agree with everyone else, genuine parts every time. Is the garage you're using a VAG specialist? £130 extra for VW cambelt kit seems high, wonder whether the pattern parts kit doesn't include all the tensioners, etc.

Are you having the waterpump changed at the same time?

[hugh jass]

  Always do the water pump at the same time as a belt change.