1.5 TFSI timing belt & water pump replacement cost

[Beano]

How much should I be paying for the above at a franchise dealer/Audi specialist? 
 

I’ve been quoted just over £1k by an independent specialist, which seems high. 

[Magnet]

Hello Leigh,

Before we start, yours does have a belt rather than a change - doesn’t it?? 

Prices at independents can, and often are cheaper, but certainly not always. 1k would seem expensive to me, but I might be out of touch with the current ride in prices. 
Cambelts may be one such example, since main dealers often have offers on this, so it’s well worth ringing around and seeing what you come up with. 
For me, this critical application should not be treated as a price-is-king job, and I favour using reasonably price dealerships who you get a feel from. 
If it were mine, I would also consider getting the auxiliary belt and tensioner changed at the same time. 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Beano]

Hello Magnet, 

Thank you for taking the time to reply. 
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not looking to have this work done ‘on the cheap’ but I don’t want my pants pulled down either. My A3 gets everything it needs, no expense spared 😁
 

In 25 years of driving, I’ve never owned a car that has needed a cam belt change, so I have no idea how much I should be paying. From my limited reading online, £750 seems about the right number, using genuine parts. I wish I had known the 1.5 TFSI CoD had a timing BELT and that it would need changing less than 18 months after buying it, I may have thought twice about buying the car. 
Lesson learned - don’t buy a 4 year old Audi with the original timing belt 🤦‍♂️

Edited November 27, 2022 by Beano

[Magnet]

Thanks Leigh,

Don’t knock yourself about -you are not on your own! I don’t think it’s  uncommon for owners to change their vehicles just before some large expenditure is due, but they too get ‘caught out’ with massive outlays on the ‘cost to change’ economics. 
I too would have thought c£750 sounds nearer to it, but as I say, just shop around until you have a reasonable figure from a source you have confidence in. 
You might find out-of-city dealers will offer you lower prices due to lower overheads. 
Perhaps you could let us know where you get to with this. 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 
p.s. There have been Cambelt  ‘deals’ where they offer you free MOTs for life! Personally, I’d avoid these like the plague, since they can do serious damage to your wallet in the longer run. 

[Steve Q]

Totally different engine but I paid £650 for my 2002 A6 2.5tdi at my trusted independent garage. Bare in mind the front end has to come off. £1000 seems very expensive. Don't forget some garages will over charge on a job they don't want to do. 

[Beano]

Audi is now quoting me just shy of £950 for the job. I want to cry 😭 

How can it possibly be so much! 

[Magnet]

Hello Leigh,

I’m loosing this a bit! 
So an independent quotes you ‘just over £1000’ . 
‘Audi’ quote you a bit under £950 - cheaper than the independent, and you want to cry. 
We suggested you tried an Audi dealer - and guess what? They are indeed cheaper? Yes, a lot of money, but cheaper. 

Now I did suggest you try other out-of-city dealers, because they may be cheaper than your ‘Audi’ quote. 
Have you tried that ring around yet? 

Of course, you can also try out-of-city independents if wish. 
Kind regards,

Gareth.

[Beano]

1 hour ago, Magnet said:

Hello Leigh,

I’m loosing this a bit! 
So an independent quotes you ‘just over £1000’ . 
‘Audi’ quote you a bit under £950 - cheaper than the independent, and you want to cry. 
We suggested you tried an Audi dealer - and guess what? They are indeed cheaper? Yes, a lot of money, but cheaper. 

Now I did suggest you try other out-of-city dealers, because they may be cheaper than your ‘Audi’ quote. 
Have you tried that ring around yet? 

Of course, you can also try out-of-city independents if wish. 
Kind regards,

Gareth.

Hi Gareth, 

Sorry, Audi want £950 for the timing belt and tensioner only. The indi wants just over £1k for the above and the water pump. I’m crying because it’s a lot of dosh either way. 
 

Leigh. 

[Magnet]

Hello Leigh, 

I think you have to boil this down to absolute like for like comparisons, otherwise you are going to be tempted to follow the cheapest quote - to get some sort of a job done. 

Would I consider getting the job done without replacing the water pump? No, I wouldn’t. Genuine VAG pumps are cheaper than they used to be anyway.

It’s easy for me to say, since it’s not my money, but would you have walked away from this car - at a time when prices are escalating and price negotiations seem to be a thing of the past - if the car was advertised at £1,000 more? Worth asking yourself this question, in my book. 
Out of city quotes for like for like??
The all important difference should be the labour rate, since parts prices will obviously be the same. 

Kind regards,

Gareth.