That wretched rubber band* that drives the engine is due for changing in the next few months - had a quote from the dealer which is, as somewhat anticipated "reassuringly expensive", - just wondered if anyone had any suggestions for an independent in Surrey / South West London to appraoch for a comparative quote.

*While writing, why do so many manufacturers still insist on making the engine so dependent on a bit of rubber, which has to be replaced every few years, and is never designed so that it's a cheap easy job. Wife's current car (1 series BM) and my last one (Honda Jazz) both had timing chains, saving a fortune. Did have an old Rover 820 which had to have a belt change - admittedly it was ten years ago, but even then £75 for the whole thing (parts and labour)was quite reasonable. Queried it with the dealer (main) at the time, and he said it was a simple job on the Rover, just unbolt the end case and change. Nowadays it seems half the engine has to be dismantled.

Definately a factor I'll look again at come car change time - £500 plus every four years is getting beyond a joke!

If guildford isnt to far try http://www.ahauto.co.uk/index.htm

Used them for a lot of work from servicing to some major repairs & rebuilds, work has always been good & at the right price.

Dont be fooled by the piccies on the web site, they work on some extreemly nice cars as well including some of the proper Audi Quatros & the newer generation Audi RS's

Edited 29 August, 201114 yr by Stuart_J

Another one & my old man uses them to service his VW Passat & mums VW Golf is VAS Motion near Merrow.

http://www.vasmotion.com/

Used both ah auto above and mgm in milford.

Would recomendation both.

Also use site sponsor allams skoda. With briskoda discount they often beat the 2 indies. Mention your user name when you call.

Many thanks to all.... will make enquiries - Cheers.

Seems a while ago now, but went to VAS - nothing much to choose over the phone between all the recommendations, just that VAS were a little easier for me to get to from home.

Changed cambelt and DSG oil all well within their quoted price. Also, the car had a strange "surge/vibration" symptom under load - I had asked dealer to check it on an earlier service but they were unable to replicate it. VAS helpfully suggested they went for a test drive with me given I knew "how and when" it happened so that I could demonstrate it. From this they picked up a failing drive joint which they couldn't replace the same day - they did say this was extremely unusual at a low mileage - perhaps kerb damage at some point.

Once re-booked in for this they did it while I waited - which worked out well - given they open at 7.00am and I was away with the shaft replaced by 9.00am. And while I haven't towed the caravan as yet with the car, the vibrations (which were getting more noticeable even driving solo) have now disappeared so hopefully that's the fix.

Nice, very helpful people I thought.

Thanks for everyone's info on this.