OK, so the vRS is sitting at 51k and it's a 53 plate. It's not been thrashed, but I understand that the timing belt ought to be changed by 4 years or 60k, so to play safe I'm looking to get it done fairly soon.

My question tonight is simple: what should I expect to pay from an independent for a timing belt replacement? Not interested in maintaining a dealer service history as we plan to keep the car until a service history adds no value, so I'm hoping that this work can be done by a competent but not necessarily VAG-specialist mechanic.

I've also heard that the water pump should be replaced also, though I've had no indications of any problem with mine - is it a case of 'easier to do at the same time' or 'essential to do at same time'?

Lastly, once the replacement timing belt is fitted, would I be looking at another replacement at around 110k or so, or is the replacement good for longer? I've heard one mechanic suggest that the second timing belt is generally good for the remainder of the life of a car, but I don't know if that's true or not...

Thanks,

John

PS. I'm based in central Scotland - my nearest VAG indie would probably be Star Performance but they seem quite pricy (based upon what little I've heard) hence my wish to get a rough idea what to expect ahead of times. I might get it done there if they're ballpark competitive though...

Hi, got my Vrs booked in for a full service, belt, tensioners, water pump, coolant & new brake fluid for £425 all in. It is an independent specialist based in the midlands. Dealers had quoted £660 for the same work.

I've also heard that the water pump should be replaced also, though I've had no indications of any problem with mine - is it a case of 'easier to do at the same time' or 'essential to do at same time'?

It's just the labour involved. They have to take the same parts off to do the belt change as they do for the water pump so if you get both done at the same time you are saving having to come back another time and pay another £100 or so for a couple more hours labour.

I paid about £250 all in for my timing belt and waterpump (the pump is only £25 so you'd be daft not to add this to the job). However the garage in question scratched the wings, folded the sills and left the turbo to intercooler pipe loose all into the bargain!

I'd expect to pay around £300 for a better job than I received.

ip

The last time I got a quote from a Skoda main dealer they did two interesting things:

1 - Suggested the water pump didn't need to be done

2 - Quoted for the cost of the belt replacement PLUS the same cost you'd pay to just have the waterpump done.. ignoring the fact that the first job puts you in a good position to do the second

Didn't go there.

hi there john,i work in a small garage near dunfermline,lost count how many timing belts i,ve done on 1.8ts and tdi,s now,worst part of the job is getting the engine mounting out from the block,rest of the job is easy,can get a price from my boss or i can do it as a homer if you want,depends how quick you want it done,have koni shocks and h+r springs to go on my octy vrs this weekend and my mates wanting his timing belt done on his mk5 2.0 tdi.

Hey, thanks for the offer, dewaryboy. I'm tempted but my local garage is quoting £260 all-in for timing belt change, new water pump and the associated other stuff that needs to be done. So, though I haven't booked anything yet, I'm thinking that seems like a fair price...