vRS four year service cost - am I being done?

[Avon Ring Road]

I'ver got an early Fabia vRs and it's now due a four-year service plus cambelt change.
Dealer (Streets in Bristol) has quoted £290 for the service, £320 for the belt plus £50 for an MOT.
Total £660 for a car that's only done 20k miles - that seem a bit steep to anyone?
Any members in the Bristol area know a decent independent?

[Tom_vRS]

Doesn't sound obscene for a city dealership, but you can do better for sure...

[Skodaboy1983]

Belt is about right, my collegue at work has a golf tdi and his belt is getting changed but his other car a passett tdi is gettign done at the same time and managed to get his both done at the same time at a cost of £600.

David

[ScoobyChris]

What's included in the service cost? I'm presuming brake fluid and coolant change (as the car is 4 years old)? I'd probably be looking to take it to an independent specialist if it's outside warranty who will probably do it for half that cost.....

Chris

[Mort]

Mine quoted 295 for the service, same again for the cam belt, then 50 for the MOT. Also needed a new ARB and wishbone bushes. Made my 4yr service 870 quid.

Independents couldn't really get it much cheaper for me either. Think you'll have to grin and bear it. It's not so bad for another 4 years. Touch Wood.

[veeaReSS]

Paid £200 for my 10k service at streets skoda in bristol.

didnt check any other local places first. from what i've read that seemed alot for a 10k service. maybe thy're just a bit expensive

[fordfan]

Looks about right to me, not even charging for the MOT at full price.

[paulk22]

Just getting price's for my 40k service at a specialist garage it was £190 and at Skoda in Wigan it is £250 - my discount £200, just booked in at skoda! Ring around i found all skoda garage's charge different prices for some reason!

Paul.

[adamC]

now here is one to get your heads around.

just replaced my front discs and new pads all round (which was much needed)

my 4 year service is april along with mot will have done less than 53k, have taken it to two places who have downloaded the service schedules for my april 04 vrs and both have stated that belt does not need doing until 80k, they have shown me the download on the pc along with updates etc and have stated that this is correct, and one of them is a very close family friend who owns an a4 and a passat both pd tdi's.

i was shocked and asked them both to check but they have assured me that now there is no age just 80k for belt change.

i can not figure it out, one is VAG specialist and one is a specialist overall.

any ideas???

[ultra_joel88]

^ That is very interesting!

My car has done 31k and it will be 4 years old in June!

[national]

Originally Posted by adamC

now here is one to get your heads around.

just replaced my front discs and new pads all round (which was much needed)

my 4 year service is april along with mot will have done less than 53k, have taken it to two places who have downloaded the service schedules for my april 04 vrs and both have stated that belt does not need doing until 80k, they have shown me the download on the pc along with updates etc and have stated that this is correct, and one of them is a very close family friend who owns an a4 and a passat both pd tdi's.

i was shocked and asked them both to check but they have assured me that now there is no age just 80k for belt change.

i can not figure it out, one is VAG specialist and one is a specialist overall.

any ideas???

It really depends on what site it was downloaded from (some sites have not updated info for two years or more)
It also states on the latest Skoda sites 60kMILES OR four years

Have you checked if it states 80k or "X years" or how up to date the site is! does it state MILES or Kilometers?

Personal experience of a PUG 206 aged ninemonths serviced every six weeks and the belt went (54k) as I was driving out of the garage that had just done the service Very expensive as the top end went


National aka Jimbo

[Avon Ring Road]

Thanks for all your views - I appreciate all the info.

This time I guess I will, as Mort said, grin and bear it but I'd still be interested in anyone who knows a reliable independent specialist in my area.

[adamC]

yeah they are updated on a regular basis there is an update page foe each model car on the pc and it updates when new things are released and can not see why two different places would say this as they are turning down business...... will prob get done at 60k to be safe have only done 10k in two years in it, and now the mrs is having it when i get my new comp car will prob be even less so def next year at latest.

[rum4mo]

AdamC, this is not good, could be that your well meaning specialists will end up costing you a small fortune! Try checking up with a local VAG dealer for current thinking - just supply them with your engine model type - Skoda, Seat or Volkswagen they should all give you the same story, remember that (mainly) it is not that the belt breaks just because it is old or has been subject to extremely spirited engine use - its normally the wheels that the belt runs under that seize or otherwise cause the belt to get destroyed or thrown off.

[Davy-B]

My experience of Streets is very good - but I've only used them under warranty.

If I was still in Bristol I would still be going to C.A.R.S. on Church Road who did all of my servicing for 4 years and were always first class. Bristol 9411201.

[VAGweb]

i got quoted 260 quid for a 40k service on mine from skoda, that includes the oil, filters, pollen filter, washer fluid etc etc

got the same done, plus new brake pads fitted for £140 at a local garage, the only difference being of course i didnt get a dealer stamp

[national]

Originally Posted by adamC

yeah they are updated on a regular basis there is an update page foe each model car on the pc and it updates when new things are released and can not see why two different places would say this as they are turning down business...... will prob get done at 60k to be safe have only done 10k in two years in it, and now the mrs is having it when i get my new comp car will prob be even less so def next year at latest.

It is not just the distance travelled but the YEAR (four years max for a cam belt)
Cambelt and pulley change about £300, New head , valves, pistons, rebuild £1800

£300 is painful and not willingly gone into but £1800 maybe impossible

Seriously four years or 60k Miles = 80k Kilometers is its max According to Skoda VW Audi Seat

Read the site download with care is it MILES OR KILOMETERS

NATIONAL

[Lebowski]

Dude,

the parts for the service are £120 tops. Ordered mine through family with a garage 'trade' from Alex Lawrie in Liverpool and they even gave trade discount (their original quote for the service was approx £270 so £150 labour). Did the service myself at his garage.
The belt was £265 fitted all in inc. rollers & tensioners, VAT, & Labour - you can't do these yourself! Thought the belt was a good deal - only charged £120 for the labour and its a much bigger job than the service - they even valeted my car which was filthy at the time. Mine's only done 34k so I know how you feel but you can't leave the belt.
Summary - service is a rip off, belt's not bad but you can do better - book a day's christmas shopping in Liverpool, drop the motor off for the day, the saving compared to your dealer will pay for your fuel for a day out and even lunch too!

[DRJ]

I'm really confused now having read this thread - according to the service book that came with my Fabia - in the section "WHAT INSPECTION SERVICE QG0 ENTAILS" - it appears the cambelt is to be replaced at 100,000 miles/150,000 kilometres, with no time limit given. However the maintenance costs spreadsheet - FABIASMR.XLS - I downloaded (from the Skoda website on 16.5.05) shows the cambelt changed at 60,000 miles at a cost of £150.83 + vat. Now you're telling me it has to be done at four years? And will cost £300? That's a cost I hadn't banked on when I decided to keep the car beyond the 3 years covered by the warranty... This seems rather like a licence to print money. I presume Skoda have had some problems...

[Tigger_1979]

Have you tried Clist and Rattle in Long Ashton, tell them a member from Briskoda sent you and that he said that Clist and Rattle would give you a really good deal.

[national]

Originally Posted by DRJ

I'm really confused now having read this thread - according to the service book that came with my Fabia - in the section "WHAT INSPECTION SERVICE QG0 ENTAILS" - it appears the cambelt is to be replaced at 100,000 miles/150,000 kilometres, with no time limit given. However the maintenance costs spreadsheet - FABIASMR.XLS - I downloaded (from the Skoda website on 16.5.05) shows the cambelt changed at 60,000 miles at a cost of £150.83 + vat. Now you're telling me it has to be done at four years? And will cost £300? That's a cost I hadn't banked on when I decided to keep the car beyond the 3 years covered by the warranty... This seems rather like a licence to print money. I presume Skoda have had some problems...

Well the spreadsheet you downloaded 16-05-05 would have prices at the time of about 01-10-04 now three years on and due to labour costs it is about £300 give or take £20 either way for a change (albeit with a new water pump with metal impeller) so really the cost is about £250, but you do not want to change the cambelt without changing the pump, added protection from future failure

The change was definately rescheduled to 60k Miles OR four years whichever is the sooner (circa late 2006) It is not so much Skoda VRS as all VAG in general

My dilema at the moment is My previous VRS had costs spread over the year
tyres Oct ready for winter, Tax & MOT April, main service July Insurance Sep
My new one everything Falls in May

I am open to suggestions of how to re sched everything
I thought of re doing the insurance after six months but they want an extra £30 to change the thing, and the same plus more if I cancel and go elswhere at six months
I could do a half year tax but again it is more

Any thoughts ?

Jimbo aka National

[adamC]

right decided to get the manual out as am no mechanic and am also confused have read it now and have my vrs code is QG0 which according to my book is the standard service interval one.

reading through the WHAT INSPECTION SERVICE QG0 ENTAILS section and it defo states 60k miles not km inspection of tooth belt (only on petrol engines) subsequently every 20k miles no four years anywhere, however this is for petrol engines, if you read on it states

80K miles toothbelt and tensioning pully for camshaft replaced. once agan no mention of four years and again for atd petrol engines.

read on and finally you come to 100k miles service which then states toothbelt and guide pully for camshaft replaced for diesel engines!!

on the oposite page tells you additional things for each year service ie every 24 mths, every 3 years, 48mths,5 yrs and 15 years. No mention of anything to do with a four year service.


so if i am reading this correctly it is 100k miles change for my engine unless there has been an update that i prob dont know about, which is why i have been told 80k miles not 60k and 4 years.

actually dont think i am better off for reading it still not 100%.

anyhow just thought i would post being as i read it

[DRJ]

Originally Posted by national

Well the spreadsheet you downloaded 16-05-05 would have prices at the time of about 01-10-04 now three years on and due to labour costs it is about £300 give or take £20 either way for a change (albeit with a new water pump with metal impeller) so really the cost is about £250, but you do not want to change the cambelt without changing the pump, added protection from future failure

Nearly right - checking the "small print" I notice it's a 7 September 2004 base date.

Nevertheless I wouldn't expect more than 10% inflation maximum on garage prices per year.

It's worked at a labour rate of £56 per hour - and 1.3 hours are needed to change the belt = £72.80. Parts prices are Cam Belt 038109119P at £36.81 and Roller 038109243M at £41.22. Thus 150.83 + vat = £177.23. Compounding this up at 10% per year = £235.89

Obviously differences in labour rates are going to significantly alter this figure. Unfortunately my garage doesn't declare its labour rate on the invoices. The best guess I can do is compare the spreadsheet figure for the brake fluid change (30 minutes) which results in a labour rate of £68.90 as of March 2007 - this would come out to £227.27 using this figure and the parts prices noted above uplifted by 10% per year. I realise this is all guesswork...

However on doing this analysis I find that the service schedule as presented to me in March 2007 (at the 30,000 mile service) clearly states: "Toothed belt change interval Fabia - 1.9PD from 08.03 - 80,000 miles". It also says "Diesel engine toothed belt may be subject to change on certain variants due to changes/improvements in production". I can't readily see where a reduced interval can be deemed to be an "improvement"... Admittedly this form is dated 05/05 - but would a garage be using out of date forms if changes had been made in the interim. I suspect the answer is probably "yes"

Has anyone on this list suffered a vRS belt failure?

Would not my car still have a "full and complete service history" if it had been serviced in accordance with the printed instructions supplied at purchase?

Would the garage automatically ask you whether you want the water pump replaced?

[DRJ]

Curious, that if Skoda have changed their policy as certainly seems to be the case, they haven't changed this spreadsheet... I've checked it out at Skoda and find the one you can download today is still dated 7 September 2004 - check out http://www.skoda.co.uk/skoda3g/conte...a/fabiasmr.xls

[national]

I have spent a good part of my evening (sad) searching for actual time and mileage for cambelt changes for VAG, nothing found other than forum posts stating as of 01-01-2007 60k miles or 4 years
Now my dealer told me that that is now correct, but I can not find writen evidence anywhere, (They are shy arn't they)
Personally I could not take the chance as I have had a belt go at 54k on a ninemonth old car, all my previous cars were changed for new cars, at 45k which for me was 5-6 months (company cars)

As I said at the beginning of the post, I have spent a whole evenining searching for documented evidence and zilch, just have to rely on what the dealer has told me 60k Miles or 4 years and literally thousands of forum threads stating the same though nothing "official"

Shirley someone on here knows the truth (dealer. mechanic, sales?)

Helllllloooooo where are yoooou

Jimbo aka National