I need my head examined.

I took my 2003 52 plate TDi Octavia to my the dealer I have used since I purchased it just over 3 years ago.

It has just reached 51k and needed a middle service and I knew the pads all round and front disks probably needed changing.

The dealer contacted me this afternoon to confirm the brakes needed replacing as did the front disks (getting steering wheel wobble when braking from motor way speeds) but he also advised changing the cam belt as they are recommended to be replaced every 75K miles or 4 years which ever is reached first.

The total for this work will be around about

If out of warranty can really use any garage to do basic stuff. My mate does all the work on mine now. What's the point when you're getting the same service but much cheaper?

Ouch! that must of hurt!!

You could always try a run down the A3 to JKM in Portsmouth, heard they are pretty good

I'd second JKM if you don't mind the trip.

:iagree: I agree JKM and there only a hour away from you depending on how you drive ofcourse:D

Thanks for your responses and sympathetic comments, I'm getting over the shock now and plotting which bank I will be robbing tomorrow before I go to pick it up.

I'll look up JKM, I'd be happy to drive there if it meant saving a small fortune.

I forgot to mention that the dealer lent me a new Fabia to use while they have mine, well I say lent more like hired as they charge for loan cars but it's a new 1.4TDI and I have to say that although it's not for me it is very nice to drive, it feels very big inside for a small car but I do prefer my Octavia.

I'll note JKM but if anyone knows anywhere closer to me please let me know.

Cheers all

JKM are forum sponsors so you'll find a link either in their own sub forum or as one of the random banner adds.

JKM are forum sponsors so you'll find a link either in their own sub forum or as one of the random banner adds.

I just checked their web site and dropped them an email explaining my tale of woe and asking if they know of any one nearer to me will wait to see what they say.

I'm not against going to them but if it's for a service I'm not looking at an hours wait it could be ages and if they were to find big issues which meant they couldn't get it fixed on the day I'm slightly stuck for getting home again.

It's always worth giving them a call and you get to speak to the lovely Kate.

How about DIY for the brakes, that would save you a few pennies and its not the hardest of jobs if you are comfortable holding a spanner.

Just a guess but average 15-20 quid a disk and 20 quid a set of pads, 10 quid for a wind back tool from halfords.

Just a thought

Make sure you get the waterpump done with the cambelt.

Make sure you get the waterpump done with the cambelt.

Water pump! should that need replacing then? oh no more expense....

what's with the water pumps? I've read that they are a point of failure on this site but I also read that they are more robust on the diesel engines...

I suppose while the cam belt is off it's sensible to replace it but if it's not in need of replacement surely there's no point. Although knowing my luck it'll go after I get it back and I'll have all that expense again.

May call the dealer to ask them to check it and replace if necessary.

Thanks for the tip.

Its worth it mate. The standard one has a plastic impeller and this becomes brittle and can break off and flow through the engine causing some bother,

you can replace it with a metal version

Pic stolen from Tom

see the full thread here: http://www.briskoda.net/forums/general-car-chat/blimey-bizarre-cooling-system-fault-speechless-pics/73866/?highlight=Polo+water+pump

Got SJB in Basingstoke if you are too far away from Portsmouth. I always use him.

Its worth it mate. The standard one has a plastic impeller and this becomes brittle and can break off and flow through the engine causing some bother,

you can replace it with a metal version

Pic stolen from Tom

see the full thread here: http://www.briskoda.net/forums/general-car-chat/blimey-bizarre-cooling-system-fault-speechless-pics/73866/?highlight=Polo+water+pump

thats enough to convince me, I have spoken to the dealer this morning they will inspect the water pump after they get the cam belt off and call me if they think it needs replacing. I may call them again and ask them to replace anyway what the hell eh I'm already skint cos of it a bit more wont make much difference.

If the mine has the plastic impeller then they may as well change it now rather than put it back and then have to go through another large bill to replace it and I am thinking that buy taking the old one out it may weaken it and it will then fail shortly after I get it back.

Expensive business this car owning lark innit?

Got SJB in Basingstoke if you are too far away from Portsmouth. I always use him.

Cheers thats closer for me, will look them up.

Thanks

Just called my dealer and told them to replace the water pump, they confirmed that the new one will be the one with metal impellers and for what it costs to replace now it's worth it as it could save me another

AMD in bicester arnt to far away form Surrey also ive not been there but always heard good things about them.

A good way of finding a decent indie,

is ask local taxi drivers where they go.

They need their cars back on the road pronto,

so garages that deal with mini-cab firms

generally don't do that ....

"oooooh, if I were you, I'd get x or y done"

unless it really needs to be done.

just my 2p worth

cheers ... darren

Got SJB in Basingstoke if you are too far away from Portsmouth. I always use him.

I can second that, i used him and received fantastic service

A good way of finding a decent indie,

is ask local taxi drivers where they go.

They need their cars back on the road pronto,

so garages that deal with mini-cab firms

generally don't do that ....

"oooooh, if I were you, I'd get x or y done"

unless it really needs to be done.

just my 2p worth

cheers ... darren

Darren,

Thanks for the tip, there's a minicab rank near my office which has some Octavia's parked up will have a chat with them.

As for only getting done what I need I did think about it, the service is required and the brake pads and disks on front need replacing so no choices there really but the cambelt and water pump could have been left and I may have been OK but I'm not a gambling man and didn't much fancy the prospect of a

Darren,

Thanks for the tip, there's a minicab rank near my office which has some Octavia's parked up will have a chat with them.

As for only getting done what I need I did think about it, the service is required and the brake pads and disks on front need replacing so no choices there really but the cambelt and water pump could have been left and I may have been OK but I'm not a gambling man and didn't much fancy the prospect of a

I need my head examined.

I took my 2003 52 plate TDi Octavia to my the dealer I have used since I purchased it just over 3 years ago.

It has just reached 51k and needed a middle service and I knew the pads all round and front disks probably needed changing.

The dealer contacted me this afternoon to confirm the brakes needed replacing as did the front disks (getting steering wheel wobble when braking from motor way speeds) but he also advised changing the cam belt as they are recommended to be replaced every 75K miles or 4 years which ever is reached first.

The total for this work will be around about

I picked my car up this morning and was pleasantly surprised to find that the dealer had discounted the repair bill for me it was still over