MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: Five Alive on March 15, 2011, 10:48:30 pm

Title: Cambelt question
Post by: Five Alive on March 15, 2011, 10:48:30 pm
having my cambelt done soon at my local independent garage who i generally go to,

they can do it with or with out genuine parts, it works out about £130 cheaper to do it with pattern parts?

its a 54 plate gti, whats everyones thoughts worth the extra for genuine or not?
Title: Re: Cambelt question
Post by: Tarmac_Terrorist on March 15, 2011, 11:11:05 pm
I would go with genuine parts. I assume you don't know the non-OEM part manufacturer?

It could be fine but on the other hand it could be a cheapy made from less durable material. The whole point of replacing a cam belt is to save unnecessary damage to the engine so why compromise.

Just my 2p's worth  :wink:
Title: Re: Cambelt question
Post by: rich83 on March 15, 2011, 11:15:20 pm
Cambelt is very critical  to engine operation and future reliability... use OEM only!
Title: Re: Cambelt question
Post by: alexperkins on March 15, 2011, 11:21:00 pm
Agreed. NEVER use anything but OEM cambelts and tensioners.

You get a fully backed 2 year warranty with VW parts too.
Title: Re: Cambelt question
Post by: TagnuT on March 16, 2011, 07:36:32 am
I would go with genuine parts. I assume you don't know the non-OEM part manufacturer?

It could be fine but on the other hand it could be a cheapy made from less durable material. The whole point of replacing a cam belt is to save unnecessary damage to the engine so why compromise.

Just my 2p's worth  :wink:

+1
Title: Re: Cambelt question
Post by: ub7rm on March 16, 2011, 08:34:47 am
Agree with the above - sometimes pattern parts are just the OEM parts but with the manufacturers badge instead of VW's.  If you can find out this is the case there is nothing wrong with pattern parts but unless you know for sure I wouldn't chance it with something as critical as the cambelt.
Title: Re: Cambelt question
Post by: humkar on March 16, 2011, 08:53:10 am
Agree with the above - sometimes pattern parts are just the OEM parts but with the manufacturers badge instead of VW's.  If you can find out this is the case there is nothing wrong with pattern parts but unless you know for sure I wouldn't chance it with something as critical as the cambelt.


Note the keyword, "sometimes". You're better off getting the Real McCoy :popcornsoda:. I would have also suggested you got the work done from the Stealers. I know they put their "Das Auto Tax" on all their prices but if things go wrong you've got someone with money to hold accountable.
Title: Re: Cambelt question
Post by: titchy on March 16, 2011, 09:52:38 am
if you use dayco or gates belt kits they are as good as oem any day
Title: Re: Cambelt question
Post by: jmspear on March 16, 2011, 10:07:45 am
agreed def OEM parts for such a critical item, little story fo non oem parts, did a track day at Oulton Park two weekends ago, friend was there in his Porsche 993, he had fitted brand new Pagid front pads, bought form ECP the night before, the Pagid pads are OEM suppliers AFAIK, by lunch time the pads had completely gone to dust and the pad backing metal was grinding onto the disk, he almost had a big moment when his brakes faded as the last of the material dissapeared, that is a new pad gone in THREE sessions of 15 minutes, they were obviously fake chinese copies that had somehow got into Euro car parts suppy chain, that is what can happen with non OEM parts, now image your cambelt letting go in 10k miles............. go OEM!!
Title: Re: Cambelt question
Post by: hugh jass on March 16, 2011, 10:18:45 am
 Will VW stand by the 2 year warranty if the belt is fitted by an indi garage.       who makes these belts for VW?
                                     Ive seen what some of the VW  &%^$£"$%%  do to pass time in the workshop
Title: Re: Cambelt question
Post by: alexperkins on March 16, 2011, 10:28:30 am
The 2 year warranty is with the parts regardless of who installs it generally speaking

The belts are mostly made by continental
Title: Re: Cambelt question
Post by: Five Alive on March 16, 2011, 11:09:36 am
Got no issues with having done at a non dealer, they have just done an ed30 there and a gti, no issues with there work and why pay double for the same service? But I know what your saying about genuine parts though
Title: Re: Cambelt question
Post by: hugh jass on March 16, 2011, 11:30:57 am
 VW parts and indi garage it is then.
Title: Re: Cambelt question
Post by: jbc on March 16, 2011, 12:45:34 pm
I agree with everyone else, genuine parts every time. Is the garage you're using a VAG specialist? £130 extra for VW cambelt kit seems high, wonder whether the pattern parts kit doesn't include all the tensioners, etc.

Are you having the waterpump changed at the same time?
Title: Re: Cambelt question
Post by: hugh jass on March 16, 2011, 12:58:42 pm
  Always do the water pump at the same time as a belt change.
   
Title: Re: Cambelt question
Post by: Five Alive on March 16, 2011, 01:10:47 pm
The reason it's so much cheaper is because you can only buy the seperate parts from vw individually, the aftermarket parts come in a kit and yes it I am changing water pump, I used to be a mechanic and fitted loads of cambelts never had an issue with non genuine, also they will do cambelt and water pump for around £270 with non gen parts and £400 with gen parts
Title: Re: Cambelt question
Post by: Teo10 on March 17, 2011, 12:23:04 pm
I got quoted £350 for the parts, incl waterpump and labour from my VAG Specialist.

Just had my big service for £480 though   :sick:
Title: Re: Cambelt question
Post by: jbc on March 17, 2011, 08:42:19 pm
The reason it's so much cheaper is because you can only buy the seperate parts from vw individually, the aftermarket parts come in a kit and yes it I am changing water pump, I used to be a mechanic and fitted loads of cambelts never had an issue with non genuine, also they will do cambelt and water pump for around £270 with non gen parts and £400 with gen parts

My local VAG specialist charged £350 using a genuine VW cambelt kit (with 2yr guarantee) so I'm surprised the difference in cost is due to having to buy individual VW parts rather than a non-VW kit.

£270 for non-gen parts and a water pump change is an absolute bargain.
Title: Re: Cambelt question
Post by: Five Alive on March 17, 2011, 09:01:48 pm
it is indeed cheap, hence why i was in the dilemma! my local dealer wants around £600 to do my cambelt and water pump!
Title: Re: Cambelt question
Post by: heavyd on March 17, 2011, 09:52:03 pm
I paid £300 for cambelt and waterpump at dealers 2 weeks ago
Title: Re: Cambelt question
Post by: Five Alive on March 17, 2011, 10:29:39 pm
that is a bargain i assume thats fitted?