if you actually read the posts you would avoid looking like a tw4t;)

You seem to have mastered the art of intelligent debate!

Anyway, I will excuse you as English appears to be your second language.

What a pity you don't have a first.

Dealers do have to pay for all that shiny equipment they have and all the training a modern technician needs to do his/her job properly. A lot of the Independent specialists that I know have come from the main dealers and learnt their trade off the back of the Dealers investment in them. I can feel sorry for Dealers having spent thousands on an individual in training, only to see that person stab them in the back and go and start up their own Independent business. It happens in most trades I know, but I think Car Dealerships get a worse deal than most.

Just rang up to get a service at my local skoda garage for my 04 Fabia VRS which has done 30,000 miles and they told me (without looking at the car) it would need a new cambelt and that the cost would total around 550 quid to service.

A- this seems a bit pricey

B- this seems way to early to change the cambelt.

What experiences has anyone else had?

Ours is an 04 Fabia vRS with 27k

I used 'my' independent - someone I've trusted for over 12 yrs.

I deliver car, they drop me off home.

Eurocar parts - I supply, £189, v belt, cambelt kit, metal impeller water pump, air, pollen, oil, diesel filters, front brake pads, sump plug and washer.

Oil (PD specific), BOGOF from Halfords, £16.

Bill, for cambelt change, v-belt, antifreeze, MOT, brake pad change not needed (less than half worn), change everything else. £260. Reset service indicator using VAG diagnostic tool. Stamp handbook.

Passed MOt, pick me up for car inc

Total £465

= Find yourself a good independent.

Re the cambelt - my mechanic looked at it - said it was fine - 'very good condition'.

I'd rather change it than risk a 2k+ bill.

Ours is an 04 Fabia vRS with 27k

I used 'my' independent - someone I've trusted for over 12 yrs.

I deliver car, they drop me off home.

Eurocar parts - I supply, £189, v belt, cambelt kit, metal impeller water pump, air, pollen, oil, diesel filters, front brake pads, sump plug and washer.

Oil (PD specific), BOGOF from Halfords, £16.

Bill, for cambelt change, v-belt, antifreeze, MOT, brake pad change not needed (less than half worn), change everything else. £260. Reset service indicator using VAG diagnostic tool. Stamp handbook.

Passed MOt, pick me up for car inc

Total £465

= Find yourself a good independent.

Re the cambelt - my mechanic looked at it - said it was fine - 'very good condition'.

I'd rather change it than risk a 2k+ bill.

Just one comment, I use an indep VAG specialist for some awkward jobs, but they always use VAG dealer sourced parts for cambelt changes, I would think that the reasoning is that when any component is revised due to feedback, VAG will within a short(sh) period purge their stock of previous versions (and they then appear on ebay) and load up with the revised parts - aftermarket manufacturers will generally respond some time later and their distributers will just sell on one they have and eventually stock the revised parts. Okay some aftermarket manufactures claim to and possible do improve parts - but not often.

Weak example, in 2004 I bought new rear pads for my 2000MY Passat - this model was launched back in 1997, ATE, not a factory fit brake pads company, were still supplying the earlier design of calliper securing bolts - from probably 1994(sh). Last week I bought new brake pads for my wife's 2003MY Polo and finally the aftermarket people have starting supplying the correct calliper securing bolts. Maybe a small issue, but an indication of the attention to detail these aftermarket manufacturers do not bother about!

What mileage/age has anyone left changing the cam belt on their vrs till? i think at 30,000 miles even if the car is 4 years old changing it sounds ridiculous, I think i'm going to opt to have the big 4 year service as recommended but leave the cambelt until next year by which time i may just have made the mileage up to 40,000 or may have part-ex'd the car in for a new one so then the garage can have the joy of changing the belt.

It's also the length of time that the belt is on there too, not just the miles.

I had the cambelt done on the Fabia the other week and it looked fine, bearly any cracks ont he edges but it's still worth paying the money than a 2k bill.

I doubt you would get away with part exing it and expecting the dealer to pay, I'm sure they will check if it's been done and knock some of the part ex of your car. Especially if it's done 40 k and no stamp in the book to show it's been done as they will realise it's more than 4 years old?

Ben

You seem to have mastered the art of intelligent debate!

Anyway, I will excuse you as English appears to be your second language.

What a pity you don't have a first.

Before you start typing insults, LEARN HOW TO USE THE BOLD BUTTON!