Audi A4 2.0TDI Cambelt and water pump cost

ryanm8655

Hi there,

Looking to get the cambelt and water pump changed on a car I recently purchased but having only had new cars previously I’m not sure what is a reasonable price.

Audi quoted £745, which seems excessive.

I’ve had another quote for £385 but no idea if this is reasonable either? It’s from an independent, figure it’s not a job that requires a specialist.

Thanks,
Ryan

ohreally

Try popping into the dealer and asking the service folks. I recently had the same job done on a 2.0 VAG engine and the VW dealer informed me there was a special offer on at £475 for the belt, pump, guides and tensioner.

No mention of this on the website which was still quoting full price.

Colleague has an A4 which he got done at an Audi specialist for £475(iirc) with free MOT test for life of ownership.

fred246

I do my own so I know the job has been done properly. Costs approx £50 for cambelt kit and £30 for water pump.

Mercdriver

The Freds...dispensing no helpful information since Sep 2014...

angrycrow

Mines a 1.8t petrol but fairly similar job as the front bumper comes off to allow the radiator to be pulled forward into the service position to allow access.

I paid £455 at an independent for cam belt, water pump and minor service.

Not sure they liked doing the job as when I took my Seat in for a quote for the water pump they priced high and claimed no appointments for weeks.

Audi price is fixed at £745 but includes free mot for life at the moment. Still looks pricy.

fred246

Takes about 4 hours to do. So £80 plus 4 hours labour. I do them easily on the drive. Maybe a mobile mechanic would be cheapest. At least you would see that the job had been done.

Mercdriver

fred246 wrote: »

I do my own so I know the job has been done properly. Costs approx £50 for cambelt kit and £30 for water pump.

The most important thing in life isn't what you know.

It's knowing what you don't know and accepting it.

I am no mechanic and I would not touch this job with a very long bargepole. Why? I know my limitations, and accept them.

If we are crazy, we will accept that you are an expert at changing a cambelt and water pump. You talk about it as though it is an easy job. For a mechanic it might be, but you constantly talk about everything as if it is simple and that you don't need to use garages as they rip you off. Let's forget that if someone gets it wrong they mangle their engine...

Put your money where your mouth is. If it is as simple as you make out, indemnify all those that follow your advice to DIY. I dare you to. In fact I double dare you...

I won't be holding my breath...

You should be able to afford it, with all the money you've saved...

missile

ryanm8655 wrote: »

Hi there,

Looking to get the cambelt and water pump changed on a car I recently purchased but having only had new cars previously I’m not sure what is a reasonable price.

Audi quoted £745, which seems excessive.

I’ve had another quote for £385 but no idea if this is reasonable either? It’s from an independent, figure it’s not a job that requires a specialist.

Thanks,
Ryan

Most (if not all?) Audi dealers will price match a quote. :T

fred246

For any job you need to pay for parts and labour. The parts are about £80. The main dealers are obviously charging around £150 an hour labour. A mobile mechanic charging £150 an hour would be making £312k a year. So it's possible they could do the job for less.

fred246

angrycrow wrote: »

Not sure they liked doing the job as when I took my Seat in for a quote for the water pump they priced high and claimed no appointments for weeks.

When I first changed the cambelt on my current car I remember saying it's much easier money for a main dealer to stamp a couple of service books than it is to change a cambelt. A cambelt change does involve doing some real work.

ohreally

fred246 wrote: »

I do my own so I know the job has been done properly. Costs approx £50 for cambelt kit and £30 for water pump.

Its not an ordinary water pump...https://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/hepu-8057007.html (assumes CUNA engine).

I was originally going to do the job myself, ECP could only get the pump be special order plus a couple of other issues, gave it over to dealer, plus iirc the dealer offers 5 year warranty.