Any advice or thoughts on cambelt changes gratefully received. I've covered 43K miles since new in my Superb, and as it's approaching 4 years old I've been advised that I should get the cambelt changed. The price quoted by my local Skoda dealer (£450+) seems high for something to have to get done every four years!

National pricing says £299.

http://www.skoda.co.uk/GBR/owners/national-pricing/Pages/Maintenance.aspx

Big debate. It's been done on here many times.

Bottom line, nobody want their belt to go. It's an expense nobody likes.

My opinion is to get it done, and the water pump at the same time.

I had it changed on my superb at 80k. It's good maintenance and you will probably get the price back when you sell your car??

£450 seems expensive. I would have a phone round and play garages off against each other.

I am sure that Skoda do a fixed price Campbelt change £299 or £369 with a water pump.

Does the £450 include a service, or is it just the cam + water pump?

National pricing says £299.

http://www.skoda.co....aintenance.aspx

Cambelt including Water Pump is £369, best to do both since the pump is driven by the cambelt. If the pump later fails then you'll in effect have to pay for the whole cambelt change again.

However note the following exclusions.

* For ŠKODA vehicles 3 years (from first MOT) up to 10 years old. National Pricing is available to retail customers at participating ŠKODA retailers only. All prices are (where applicable) inclusive of standard parts, labour, oil and VAT and come with a two-year parts and labour warranty. This cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Offers may be varied or withdrawn at any time.

Ignore the 4 year interval, it is VAG Milton Keynes "invention" and a con, nobody else in Europe does it, and it is not in Service Schedule supplied with your car (and the con has been going on for at least 10 years, so I'd say VAG/Skoda had time to print new Service Schedules).

Replace belt at mileage quoted in your Service Schedule booklet, typically 80k-120k miles depending on the engine. Or if an earlier belt inspection shows it is narrower than minimum limit and/or damaged.

I agree at 4-cyl engine when you do it, do it properly, with water pump.