Main dealer bargain!

[Funkstar]

Just had the timing belt and tensioner replaced on my Golf as recommended by VW after 4 years or use.

There was a bit of hastle because the kit they had didn't contain a tensioner, so despite dropping my car off at 09:00 yesterday, I didn't get it back until 17:00 today. A new kit was sent up over night from Milton Keynes.

Paying for it was a little surprising, as I was presented with a bill for just over £472. It was a surprise because the letter I received suggesting I get the belt replaced said it would be £350.

Turns out that price is for the regular Golf, hence the lack of tensioner in the kit and the lower cost.

Very impressed though, there wasn't any arguing and the price was discounted right there (once the guy manually worked out the new cost, the 15% VAT was causing them problems today).

So all in all I think I got a very good deal and excellent customer service from Specialist Cars Aberdeen



Oh, and my car is all shiney again! I swear they have washed all my cars more than I do!

[MD]

Christ! Specialist Cars is still there?

They've been around donkeys - they were in a little side garage off Queens Road when the Corrado came out - Dad and I went car shopping (but left empty handed unfortunately) but they were damn good about things back then too....

[Funkstar]

Yup, I remember that garage, Stanley Street it was, just up the road from where I grew up.

John Clarke is probably the biggest car dealer in Aberdeen now. VW, Audi, BMW, Skoda, Seat, VW Commercial and probably fingers in other pies too. I've had my last three cars from there, dad has had two Audi's and mum's new mini, always had great service. They really aren't a normal main dealer from what I can tell.

[mycarsavw]

Please please please tell me you had the water pump replaced at the same time?

The tensioner should be replaced regardless of the Golf spec too, it's an integral item which, should it fail, could result in at worst a new engine

£350 is a good price, especially as it's a main dealer.

[staffsMike]

Sounds like a good deal

I wouldn't call mine a bargain but,

Everytime I get my Ignis serviced, they "top up" my washer fluid and charge me far more than the drop they can fit in is worth..

But last time I thought, right.. well you want to fill it up, you fill it up. So, I gave it to them empty, dry as a frickin bone.

..Guess what they forgot to charge for.

[Funkstar]

The tensioner should be replaced regardless of the Golf spec too, it's an integral item which, should it fail, could result in at worst a new engine

Is it? I wouldn't know. I was just speculating over the lack of tensioner in the kit they had, obviouslt I assumed wrong then.

[eshrules]

Is it? I wouldn't know. I was just speculating over the lack of tensioner in the kit they had, obviouslt I assumed wrong then.

yup, every belt on the mk4 golf has a tensioner (some PD's IIRC also have a tensioner dampener), there's also the auxillary belt and tensioner, the rollers need to be replaced, as well as the all important stretch bolts and head stud (trust me, I've learnt about this the hard way).

The water pump is a must when changing the tensioner/belt, it's comparitively cheap, when you consider the cost of stripping down the timing assembly again to fit one should it fail.

I'd get back to the dealer asap if I were you and ensure it was changed, if not, I'd be concerned.


Edit - just realised you've got a mk5, so some of the above may not be applicable.