Just under 3,000 miles to go until the timing belt and water pump has got to be done on my vRS, so started doing a bit of research on whether to go OEM/Skoda or get my local independent to do the job (they serviced my car at 10k intervals on last 3 occasions most recently did the DSG oil & filter change).

The considerations are - have no issue letting Skoda do it because of warranty on work completed and using OEM parts but would getting an equally good/better job done by my independent at a cheaper cost but with parts supplied by me along the lines of Gates or Contitech be a better option? I wouldn't let my independent complete the work without them advising me of the products they fit and certainly wouldn't advocate a sub-standard product to OEM.

I suppose the key consideration is it worth the extra leg-work sourcing better parts (if applicable) than OEM and getting better value for money by getting my independent to fit?? Or am I better off just getting Skoda to complete the work??

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

I've always done my own timing belt changes and have never used original parts. Always ordered from Euro Car Parts. 300k miles and going strong!

You could use OEM parts from TPS if that us one of your considerations and get your indi to fit them for you = Win Win. :clap:

Check out the prices at

www.mister-auto.co.uk

Edited 5 August, 201411 yr by MicMac

My old indi used genuine VAG parts from TPS.

Just asked at the new indi, they use them too.

TPS are presumably supplying the latest spec stuff too.

Mine was done by an indy using OEM parts