Engine labors on initial start up

[Magnet]

Thanks for the update Deborah,

I would have thought you might have had your independent inspection done before committing to buy, but……..

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Deborah]

Hello Gareth,

Thank you and that was the plan for when I took ownership, as already spoke to the specialist. I am disappointed I haven't got the car yet, but will keep you posted on the outcome.

Kind Regards

Deborah 

[Magnet]

I’m sure you will get it soon Deborah. What I meant was, the normal convention is to get the inspection done before you commit to buy, not after. 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Deborah]

Hello Gareth,

Thank you and wasn't sure I could do that beforehand, and once I get the car I do have 30 days, but thanks I will let you know

Kind Regards

Deborah 

[Deborah]

Good afternoon Gareth and Cliff,

Just to update you, I the new car drives really well, and has been fully inspected by the specialist,  they said the engine is very clean and couldn't find any faults so no issues to report.  Overall a good deal so I am very happy. 

The question raised about the cam belt though is as the car is on 38000 miles and haven't had a cam belt change yet, when does it need to be changed, 5years? as research shows this may change to 10years

Kind Regards

Deborah 

[Magnet]

I’m very pleased it’s all worked out for you Deborah. Sounds good.

Re. Cambelt- what did the the Audi independent advise? 
My rule of thumb has always been to change the belt and assembly every 75k miles, or 5 years - whichever comes first.
So your car should be due for its second belt change next year, but doesn’t appear to have been changed at all yet.
This might seem ‘over- servicing’ in the case of this car which seems to have averaged approx. 4K miles/an over its life, but low mileage use does present its own increased stresses,  where cars are used on infrequent barely up to temperature short journeys. 
It seems VAG have now dispensed with their age limit, and are now recommending renewing the belt only when the vehicle reaches 135?k - or similar figure, so according to that logic, your  belt will not need changing until it’s over 30 years old in in the scrapyard! Daft in my book. 
If it were mine, I would schedule to get it renewed during the next year. If you do decide to go ahead with that, I would also get the auxiliary belt changed at the same time. 
What sort of feel did you get from the garage that inspected it, and were you able to talk directly with a technician, rather than a service receptionist? 
Many thanks for the update.

Kind regards,

Gareth. 
p.s. Assuming this engine runs on a belt rather than a chain. 

[cliffcoggin]

Glad to hear it Deborah.

Regarding the cam belt change, I don't know what the Audi recommendation for your model is. My 2007 model needed to be changed every 70000 miles. Note that it will be an expensive job, but should not be postponed because the consequences of a belt failure would cost very much more, i.e. many thousands of pounds.

[alpha omega]

this is what this forum is all about to try and help with good advice well done clifford and gareth.and to all others who contribute too.

[Deborah]

Hello All,

I appreciate all the help and advice I have received since posting, it has really helped me. My new car is a 2018 model and the independent specialist advised 5 years. I do around 80 miles a day to and from work, so will look at changing next year as advised, I was quoted £615 for Cam belt and water pump, so will also enquire re the auxiliary belt too so thanks.

I didn't get to speak to the technician this time, just given the details, but on my previous visit he did speak to me, but any questions I would make a point to get my answers straight from the technician.

Kind Regards 

Deborah 

[Magnet]

Thanks Deborah,

This car is obviously going to be woken up! From 4K miles a year to over 20K. 
Based on this, personally I wouldn’t be leaving this for a year and another 20k, but budgeting to get it done within half that mileage. Sorry, I assumed it was going to have a quiet life - shows where assumptions go wrong! 
It would be well worth getting alternative quotes, even from main dealers, who sometimes have offers on such expensive jobs. Be prepared for them to inform you it doesn’t need changing. Also worth trying other trusted independents. 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[cliffcoggin]

14 hours ago, Deborah said:

My new car is a 2018 model and the independent specialist advised 5 years. I do around 80 miles a day to and from work, so will look at changing next year as advised, I was quoted £615 for Cam belt and water pump, so will also enquire re the auxiliary belt too so thanks.

 

By my arithmetic that would take the car to about 67000 miles in 12 months time which does not sound unreasonable. If that cost of £615 includes VAT I would bite his arm off to get the job done at that price. Mine was a shade over £700 about five years ago.

Many modern cars will remind you by a dashboard message to get the service done shortly before the appropriate mileage. Whether yours has that capability I do not know.

[Deborah]

Good morning Cliff and Gareth,

Thank you again for both your feedback.  There are no records when the cam belt was done, and looking into it, it says the seller may have paper work or if not there is no real way of knowing. Considering there was only one previous owner from new, this will be something I will look to do.

Cliff, yes she will be woken up with the motorway driving, I do each day, so will make sure it well maintained. I will definitely check other dealerships, and other reputable independents for prices.

Gareth, I hear what you are saying about the price I was given, and I know that is going to be my price as they inspected the car and I think I found a good specialist after following the advice on this forum. Yes, I will get a dash reminder when the service is due, as well as oil inspection. I will also take Cliff's advice and get quotes.

Kind Regards 

Deborah