Cambelt + waterpump ... do it now or wait?

[omeydz]

Hey all :)

My 57 plate Golf 1.4 has just had its £169 minor service done at the dealers.

Its the 80bhp FSI 5speed manual (waiting for friendly insurance quotes due to my youth!)

Been told that as the car is 4yrs old, they recommend a new cambelt and waterpump be done (£439!)

Now, my car is 4yrs old but only just ticked over 34k miles. I average 6.5-7.5k miles annually, mostly town driving and 300+ mile motorway journeys to uni up north.

All servicing done by dealers to the dot.

So is it a must that I absolutely must get this work done ASAP or I risk the belt snapping and my engine shaking itself to bits beyond repair? 

Not sure what your guys experience is with cambelts and changeovers times etc? Any advice is appreciated!

p.s. My mums got a standard 52 Plate GTTDI 130 and its been 6yrs and 40k miles since it had a new belt and pump and its fine but I have warned her she should have it sorted!!

Cheers :)

[homesqueeze]

My 05 GTI is supposed to get it's cambelt changed every 4 years regardless of how few miles it's done. This is probably due to the risk of the belt perishing with age. I guess the age limit is probably the same across the whole VW range. I got mine changed at just over 4 years. I would recommend you don't leave it much longer before changing because it's better to spend a few quid now rather than have a knackered engine. Not really worth the risk.

[Baz300]

Have you seen this post http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,52531.0.html ?

I would get it done as soon as you can afford to

I got it done on my gti when I bought it and it was 6 years old and 38k

[omeydz]

I was talking to the service assistant and they said 4yrs or 80k miles, whichever comes first.

I will be getting it done soon as my mechanic is available. The £439 is bit pricey though no? (I know the stealers are renouned for stealing!!!!)

[Horatio]

Find a good reputable independent VAG specialist. Im sure they could knock 100 pounds off that price. With that money saved you could buy one of my clusters i have for sale! 

[omeydz]

My mechanic is a VW tech for his day job ;) wink wink

Sorry Iv already got R32 clocks :) Cheers though!

[GrayMK5GTI]

Mines well overdue now   it's done 53k miles and nearly 5yrs old!

Had a great quote from Statller's so will probably be going there in the next few months. Definitely worth going to a specialist than VW after seeing some of the stories of dealers getting it wrong  

[MC71]

Get it done ASAP, you just know that if you don't................

It's 4 years or 60000, end off. You can get that price down by using OEM parts through an indie specialised. Paid £400+ for my Camebelt/Waterpump at my VW main dealer couple of months back.

 

[Tinytim]

Mine will be 4 years old in October but only done 34,000 miles.

Strangely Audi specify its changed after 5 years on what is effectively the same car.

I've seen a few stories of people getting it done bang on 4 years and the old lot looks brand new.
Sounds like a money making idea from VW.

[MC71]

^^^^ its your car to risk but IMHO it's not worth that risk. 

[Cadence rev]

just got mine done for £280, OEM parts and a vag mechanic working from home, a lot cheaper than an engine rebuild 

[Mk5 GTian]

Do it for Peace of Mind. 

Mine had had it done by VW by previous owner according to a tick in the service book, but as there was no invoice to back it up (anyone can tick a box) I insisted on it as part of the deal before I bought the car.

I'd do what others have said and get a good independent VAG specialist to quote.

[tom.b]

Get it done! Mine only done 28k but its 5 years old. Not worth the risk IMO