Speak EV - Electric Car Forums banner
41 - 60 of 128 Posts
Not sure why it's doubled, but make make sure you get a written quotation.
I would like to sit down with somebody ( senior EV tech ) to explain WHY the price has suddenly increased by 100% !.
For H&S reasons they will probably need to disconnect the HV battery before they can work on the car, but I am having trouble getting my head around why the cost has doubled !.
 
I would like to sit down with somebody ( senior EV tech ) to explain WHY the price has suddenly increased by 100% !.
For H&S reasons they will probably need to disconnect the HV battery before they can work on the car, but I am having trouble getting my head around why the cost has doubled !.
The only question that needs addressing why anyone would buy a complicated PHEV from a car manufacturers with a background of lying and cheating.
 
:mad:This sort of pricing from dealers really Pi$$es me off, so.....

I checked the VW website for Fixed Price Service costs, under Cambelts:

Excludes: Over 2.0 litre engines, e‑up!, e‑Golf, Golf GTE, Passat GTE, Phaeton and Touareg.

Okay so why. Wheres the harm in informing owners of maintenance costs?

Then going onto a web chat the following:

The pricing under fixed price servicing would be £494(cambelt only). For vehicles not included under the terms of the fixed price servicing scheme, service costs would depend on the retailer. This is because retailers are independently franchised, and the franchise will determine pricing.

So in other words its a free for all by the dealerships. Going back to the good old days of lets see who we can rip off today.

SHOP AROUND or get friendly with the service manager.:coffee:
 
SHOP AROUND or get friendly with the service manager.:coffee:
I agree !.
Some dealers are seeing this as an opportunity to over change there customers for the work, just because it’s a GTE.
Special car, special prices !.
I would ask to see the service manager and ask him to explain what the actual difference is between a cam belt replacement on a standard 1.4 TSI engine and a standard 1.4 TSI found in the GTE and then justify the massive difference in price, before you take your business to another dealership for life !.
Before he offers his opinion on the subject ( which he is unlikely not to have that knowledge ) remind him that the GTE does not have a mechanical belt driven water pump either O.B.T.W. therefore this should in fact reduce the costs of the repair.
Oh ....... While on that subject, go to the parts department FIRST and price up the cam belt and any other parts to carry out the belt change or BOTH models.
Just so you have the facts in front of you.
The service manager will either try and bull shit his way out of an embarrassing situation or he will say there has been a mistake and offer the work at the original price !.
It which case you either accept his offering or tell him to stick his offer where the sun does not shine, because his staff tried to rip you off and failed badly !.
Vote with your feet, your money is better spent at a dealer who is more trustworthy and honest ( if there is such a thing ).
Good luck in the search, it may take a while.
 
Earlier today JCB (Medway) advised that the GTE has a lifetime belt and that it does not need changing at 5 years (2015 car and one of the first sold). So, I'm none the wiser and have written to VW Customer services who know doubt will give another answer.
 
Earlier today JCB (Medway) advised that the GTE has a lifetime belt and that it does not need changing at 5 years (2015 car and one of the first sold). So, I'm none the wiser and have written to VW Customer services who know doubt will give another answer.
This what we have come to expect from some dealers.
They clearly have NO idea when it comes to the servicing of models that they are selling.
It WILL require a cambelt replacement for sure.
 
I heard back from VW customer services with a not entirely clear response. In fact not really answering the question I asked:

Dear Mr Robertson

Thank you for contacting Volkswagen Customer Services, please accept my apologies for the delay in my response.

The term lifetime cam belt is used for cam belts that do not have a stipulated mileage for it to be changed but here at Volkswagen UK we would always recommend having the cam belt checked every 5 years to ensure it is in good condition.

I hope this information proves useful.

However, I had my Elise serviced yesterday and explained the amusing behaviour of VW dealers to the man handling my service. He said I’ll look on my system and see what that says. His system suggested between 5 and 6 hours of Labour and that my car did require a change at 5 years not an inspection. It would appear that to get a clear answer the question needs to be addressed to an independent who actually specialises in another make!

All as clear as mud but even at main dealer rates it’s not a £1000 job unless they’re charging £175 an hour and £20@ for the belt kit.
 
I was quoted 470€ from a VW Dealer in Portugal. About 200€ in parts and the rest is labour.

The car has 200.000kms on it, so I'm inclined to do it along with the regular oil change and transmission oil change. Close to 1000€ all together.

I don't do that many miles thought (about 10.000km/year), but I max out the car frequently @ highways
 
Just adding to this for more info for people as i am now in the weeds of trying to find someone to take on the job for cambelt change.

Granted i am looking for a Passat GTE but i understand they are fairly similar to the Golf GTE.

Have just been quoted by VW £1287.78 which feels absurd. Trying to shop round now and see if there is anyone else that can do it at a reasonable rate.
 
The ‘going rate’ at some VW dealers is circa £1200 it seems.

I’ve got a mate with a GTE, he’s been quoted £650 from a VW independent, using the relevant VW parts of course.

It’s an involved job, even less room in a GTE bay than the equivalent ICE, and labour is high both in hours and main dealer labour rates.
 
The ‘going rate’ at some VW dealers is circa £1200 it seems.

I’ve got a mate with a GTE, he’s been quoted £650 from a VW independent, using the relevant VW parts of course.

It’s an involved job, even less room in a GTE bay than the equivalent ICE, and labour is high both in hours and main dealer labour rates.
I would shop around, the prices for this job appears to fluctuate widely !.
 
Ive been quoted 970 from 2 vw dealers and 670 specialist. He has done 3 he has told me that belt change is not the issue but disconnecting the hv system. Seemingly due to concerns of the ice turning over during the belt change ...not sure how true it is tho
 
My 67 plate Golf GTE has just reached 98k miles and like other posts I received a number of quotes ranging from £500-£700. I am an ex mechanic so decided to change the belt myself and thought I would share my experience. I purchased a Continental CT1167K1 Timing Belt Kit @ £74 and a locking kit from eBay @ £26. I changed the belt on my driveway using a trolley jack and axle stands and it took me best part of a day to complete the job. This includes removing the top engine mount and jacking up the engine. Space was really tight and I was glad to have an impact gun to remove the bottom pulley - this would be a struggle to remove without one! In order to lock the camshafts you have to remove a cover on the gearbox end of the engine- this is difficult to remove with the water pump in place which is why most dealers will want to replace the pump. The pump is driven from a separate toothed belt on the opposite end of the camshaft (it is not electric). I managed to wriggle the cover off without replacing the pump or separate belt but I can see why some people would change it. To summarise, it’s a tricky job and can see why dealers will charge £500-600. If you are looking to have this work undertaken I would highly recommend getting a quote from your Skoda dealer- they tend to be a bit cheaper and the technology is exactly the same across the VW group brands. Hope this helps.....
 
41 - 60 of 128 Posts
Top