VWSH

[ttdan]

How important is this for resale value? My car is just 4 years and now out of the VW warranty scheme. A service is due and I am being told it also "needs" a cam belt
 change (33k on the clock..) I'm not looking to skip important maintenance but does it really need this at this mileage? and, if a good independent VW service centre does the work will future buyers really care?

whats the thoughts on here?

[Vdub13799]

I don't think its that important really to have a main dealer stamp as long as you have bills for all services and work carried out. The cambelt on my car was done at 25000 miles because it was four years old!!! Crazy if you ask me seeing as a modern cambelt should last 60,000 miles!! The last owners just had it done so i can't really complain but I don't think it needed doing!! Your choice if you have the monies money!!!!

[golf nutter]

VAG guidance would say 4 years or 60k, whichever comes first for a cambelt change.

i have a 3 1/2 year old gti and it has FVWSH, but i am likely going to use a specialist in future.  as already mentioned, if you have the invoices etc and have the service book stamped, i don't see that it would affect the future value greatly.

[gobbleplease]

As said 4 years and 60K for the cam belt !, I think the effect on the value of the car will be will be minimal if you choose to service via independand and VW, me personally i wouldnt by a car without a full maufacturers service history, you never know if cheapo oil and filters have been used

[DJM]

My VW service book says that cambelt needs checking on 60k or 4 years then 20k after if not deemed required to change.
Bought my car on 71k full VWSH and not been changed. Was checked at 64k though.

Peace of mind im getting it done by independant for £175 though. Not willing to pay the extra 225 just to get stamp.

[ub7rm]

I think if you trade it in at a VAG garage it will boost the trade in value quite a bit compared to a non VAG service history but I'm not convinced it makes as big a difference outside the franchised network.

If you don't have a full VWSH you won't get any goodwill from the dealers is something major goes wrong and you won't have a leg to stand on if you have rust anywhere and are looking to get it repaired under the anti corrosion warranty.  I had my wheel arches done FOC when they started bubbling and this would have cost more to get done than what I would have saved from getting the car serviced at an indy.

[LouCyffer]

Cam belts are cheaper than engine rebuilds. Is it really worth the cost of a belt change, considering how much a year it costs to run these cars? I spend over £2.5k a year on fuel, I'm not likely to grumble over a belt change. The belt doesn't have to break, just stretch enough to start to affect the timing. That's not always apparent on a visual inspection.

[gillm]

my car has only been to vw for 1 service from new , im the 1st and only owner of it and the reason its only been to my dealer once is because they are complete idiots . a very good friend of mine runs a very well known garage and publishing group near me and i have complete faith in there work .

[ttdan]

I do have a bit of a struggle paying for VW's decision not to use a timing chain... I mean that they save some money & we pick up the cost in maintenance charges..

A decent VW specialist will use the correct oils & genuine parts, I just need to find one. Any reccomends nr Gatwick?
..

[JackG]

Cam belts are cheaper than engine rebuilds. Is it really worth the cost of a belt change, considering how much a year it costs to run these cars? I spend over £2.5k a year on fuel, I'm not likely to grumble over a belt change. The belt doesn't have to break, just stretch enough to start to affect the timing. That's not always apparent on a visual inspection.

I agree, regardless of miles that's still 4 years of weathering and 4 years of stop start......just get it done at a Indy

[WILLZIE]

Cam belts are cheaper than engine rebuilds. Is it really worth the cost of a belt change, considering how much a year it costs to run these cars? I spend over £2.5k a year on fuel, I'm not likely to grumble over a belt change. The belt doesn't have to break, just stretch enough to start to affect the timing. That's not always apparent on a visual inspection.

I agree, regardless of miles that's still 4 years of weathering and 4 years of stop start......just get it done at a Indy

Agree, just bit the bullet and got mine booked in at 48K, could of waited several more months, but the price of a rebuild if it snaps.....

[Nasir]

Rubber also perishes over time which is why it is age and mileage dependant.

[golf nutter]

...you never know if cheapo oil and filters have been used

this is why i generally buy the parts and get the indy to fit them, that way i know the quality of parts used...and have the bonus of receipts and invoices to back this up.

i shall be getting my cambelt changed march 2012 which will be it's 4th birthday...really isn't worth not doing in my opinion.  will probably get the water pump and tensioner done at the same time for complete peace of mind.