Keeping vw service history

[TaylorGTi]

so after upgrading to a Pirelli recently it's got full dealer service history. I'm planning on getting cambelt and water pump done soon as its at 5-6 years of age! It's only done 37k but would rather be safe than sorry. I'm also under impression cambelt should of been done after 4 years!

My main dillema is to weather I go to the dealers or AMD Essex for my servicing.

I'm thinking stick to dealer but cnt see why a renowned tuning company wouldn't do just as good or even better job also at £200 cheaper!

Cheers for any input!

[ROH ECHT]

You go to whom you trust touching your MK5...I let only one person other than myself to work on mine.
Mileage intervals should be taken with a bit of concern as any of the fluid and non-alloy bits are affected by time. With that said...80k miles is suggested and that is likely based on a 10k miles/year ratio...and if true it suggests it should be serviced at the 8 year mark. This would turn out to be done at 5 years on a 15k miles/year ratio...and that's when I do this. I do my timing belt every 75k miles.

[coolhandluke]

You go to whom you trust touching your MK5...I let only one person other than myself to work on mine.
Mileage intervals should be taken with a bit of concern as any of the fluid and non-alloy bits are affected by time. With that said...80k miles is suggested and that is likely based on a 10k miles/year ratio...and if true it suggests it should be serviced at the 8 year mark. This would turn out to be done at 5 years on a 15k miles/year ratio...and that's when I do this. I do my timing belt every 75k miles.

I always thought the consenious of opinion on here was timing belt and water pump every 4 years regardless of milage but DSG every 40,000 mls.

[bigmig95]

Mine used to have a full VWSH until after one service the oil light came on and the level was off the bottom of the dipstick    Phoned up and asked if the apprentice had done it with a hangover, they claimed their top technician had done the job.  Never been back since, got a feeble apology and they didn't even ask for the car back in for a check-over.  That overpriced VW stamp is worthless to me now, rather go to a decent trustworthy independent.

A sales guy also gave me a price on the car in part ex afterwards and said it was worth more with their stamp on ?  I replied that they can't even fill the oil up right so your talking out your  fella.  His face dropped a bit 

Named and shamed  - Listers Coventry.  Jokers.

All IMO of course 

[TaylorGTi]

Tbh there is that stigma about that full dealer history is better but I agree with getting serviced at a trusted mechanic!

Anyone know any trusted mechanics around cambridge area? I work here during the week and don't really know any garages!

Also I know aks tuning is in Bedford which is bout hour n half away assuming them guys do servicing?

Cheers!

[TaylorGTi]

Also are people recommending to get the cambelt and water pump done ASAP then?

Cheers

[ed30Lewis]

Mine used to have a full VWSH until after one service the oil light came on and the level was off the bottom of the dipstick    Phoned up and asked if the apprentice had done it with a hangover, they claimed their top technician had done the job.  Never been back since, got a feeble apology and they didn't even ask for the car back in for a check-over.  That overpriced VW stamp is worthless to me now, rather go to a decent trustworthy independent.

A sales guy also gave me a price on the car in part ex afterwards and said it was worth more with their stamp on ?  I replied that they can't even fill the oil up right so your talking out your  fella.  His face dropped a bit 

Named and shamed  - Listers Coventry.  Jokers.

All IMO of course 

I used Listers Coventry last week for my Minor Service... think ill be checking my oil level later on when im home.

Who are you planning on using in future for servicing/maintenance out of interest? Assuming you live in coventry the same as me?

[andybon]

I'd find a good local garage or specialist to do the job. Lately all I have here'd from dealers is bad and the service doesn't seem upto anything anymore as they are out to get a quick profit.

[bigmig95]

Mine used to have a full VWSH until after one service the oil light came on and the level was off the bottom of the dipstick    Phoned up and asked if the apprentice had done it with a hangover, they claimed their top technician had done the job.  Never been back since, got a feeble apology and they didn't even ask for the car back in for a check-over.  That overpriced VW stamp is worthless to me now, rather go to a decent trustworthy independent.

A sales guy also gave me a price on the car in part ex afterwards and said it was worth more with their stamp on ?  I replied that they can't even fill the oil up right so your talking out your  fella.  His face dropped a bit 

Named and shamed  - Listers Coventry.  Jokers.

All IMO of course 

I used Listers Coventry last week for my Minor Service... think ill be checking my oil level later on when im home.

Who are you planning on using in future for servicing/maintenance out of interest? Assuming you live in coventry the same as me?

I've been to see Alex at AKS a couple of times now.  Long old trip for me and he's always snowed under but knows the cars inside out, ideal for me for long term tuning stuff, remaps, engine swaps, clutch upgrades etc.  I've also had the odd bit of more urgent work (as the cars my daily) done by GDT Autos (VAG independant) in Kenilworth by me, gaitor boots, brake stuff, not had any issues with them.  Nice bunch of lads. 

[ed30Lewis]

I begrudge using dealers for servicing but at the same time didnt want to lose the full VW service history my car already had.

Hear loads of good stuff about AKS tuning and no doubt will be using them in the future for planned work, as i know they're very busy it needs to be booked well in advance! I think ill use GDT Autos in future for urgent work required. Never heard of them before so thanks! @bigmig95 

[Matthewsimone]

My car had 1 owner and full dealer history until i bought it last year, (2007 Gti) now the service book is filled in by myself and all invoices supplied for all oe parts used etc
Cost me about £65 to do a full service myself instead of £300 for some grease monkey in a stealership to do a sh*te job

Personally not bothered about the service book or the next potential owner as its my car and im doing what im happiest with which is not a dealership, plus im a little ocd too 

Im a mechanical engineer in my day job anyway and a keen diy mechanic on the weekend so servicing my own car is no biggie 

[th3_f15t]

I'd recommend AmD any day over the main dealer, they've been great with both mine and my girlfriend's GTI. And yes, get the can belt done. As a general rule if you have no history of the can belt being done, do it as a precaution.

[DomBacon]

My mate works for a vw specialist company and he said if you take it to main dealer to get done, its more than likely someone will drop it off to his garage for a service or to be fixed. They get half of there work from vw!
So all your doing is spending an extra couple of hundred pounds for a VW stamp!

I would also recommend AMD as they have helped me out many times before and also the last 3 times ive gone in for vag.com or tuning my map for free! All top blokes imo 

[paulw123]

so after upgrading to a Pirelli recently it's got full dealer service history. I'm planning on getting cambelt and water pump done soon as its at 5-6 years of age! It's only done 37k but would rather be safe than sorry. I'm also under impression cambelt should of been done after 4 years!

My main dillema is to weather I go to the dealers or AMD Essex for my servicing.

I'm thinking stick to dealer but cnt see why a renowned tuning company wouldn't do just as good or even better job also at £200 cheaper!

Cheers for any input!

Chelmsford VW matched AMD Essex prices for my cambelt and water pump last time £400, although the AMD priceis now a lot cheaper. If they use original parts they will price match. Send them an email matey..

[ROH ECHT]

You go to whom you trust touching your MK5...I let only one person other than myself to work on mine.
Mileage intervals should be taken with a bit of concern as any of the fluid and non-alloy bits are affected by time. With that said...80k miles is suggested and that is likely based on a 10k miles/year ratio...and if true it suggests it should be serviced at the 8 year mark. This would turn out to be done at 5 years on a 15k miles/year ratio...and that's when I do this. I do my timing belt every 75k miles.

I always thought the consenious of opinion on here was timing belt and water pump every 4 years regardless of milage but DSG every 40,000 mls.

Isn't the service listed in your service manual in the glove box? Mine was listed in there to be done @ 80k miles. It could differ there from the US, so...