I'm assuming the worst here and that the turbo is on it's last legs.

But which way to go....

I can see a whole load on eBay that are supposedly new from around £200 - £300, I have no idea if I should fear what some people say about 'Chinese' turbos or not.

Should I go reconditioned or not?

I certainly don't want to pay main dealer prices (the costs would be nearly what the car is worth lol).

Has anyone experience of which way to go?

Any experience of who is best to do the work?

Where are you located ??

Buy cheap you buy twice....When it comes down to something that such a ball ache to fit buy a genuine unit that's been reconditioned, or depending on how much you like to "tweak", think about hybrid or a K04 setup maybe?

My motto is if its broken, upgrade

I thought white smoke was usually coolant related??? Was under the impression that a knackered turbo would usually cause blue smoke and therefore possibly not a problem with your turbo.

Whistling could be caused by numberous things, maybe start by checking for problem pipework and boost leaks.

Just buy a bearing and seal kit off ebay for about 30 quid and recon it yourself. If its still running most often its savable. Lets face it what have you got to loose if it lasts another 12 months then your on a winner it may last another 10 years.

I have rebuilt a few lately and there all perfect even with remaps. Just tippex everthing so all the shafts and nuts go back exactly the same, there were balanced in the factory so they are still balanced if put back in the same place.

I am a qualified mechanic and mot tester by the way.

Edited 25 June, 201214 yr by joeboy