Service/cambelt dealer pricing woes

Deev

Full Member
May 28, 2006
329
4
Croydon, South London
I've spent the afternoon phoning and arguing with dealers in my area regarding pricing for my 60k service, cambelt and water pump change on my 02 plate Leon TDI 110. I know this is an expensive job but I've had some pretty varied quotes from various dealers (including one dealer moving the goalposts - I'm looking at you Ted Johnson in Barnsley...) so I'm wondering what kind of prices you guys have paid for the same job (I'm assuming a fair few of you have had this job since it's pretty common).

I was originally quoted £562 from Wills and Ellis in York (the dealer I bought the car from). I called Ted Johnson for a quote who quoted me a very similar £563 but with my 10% seatcupra.net membership that brought it down to a far more reasonable £506.70. I settled with that and advised them I would call back in a couple of weeks to book it in.

I called them back this afternoon and booked everything in. I was then confirmed the price - £544.96 with the 10% discount (£605.51 without). I queried this, quoting the original figure, but was told that there was no way the price could be made any cheaper. I argued that there must have been a mistake as assumedly the dealer network pricing would be similar (hence the W&E price being similar to Ted's non-discounted price) but the girl on reception wouldn't budge. So I cancelled the service.

I then tried Richard Alexander Seat in Huddersfield (any experiences people?) and was quoted a staggering £650 for the same job (and that was after telling me they were knocking 25 quid of for doing both jobs together!). To be fair to them though I quoted the other prices and the aftersales manager called me back and offered to price match.

I'm at a loss at what to do now. I'm especially annoyed at Ted Johnson moving the goalposts and refusing to honour my original quote. I'd heard good things about them from this forum and was looking forward to moving to them as my dealer of choice. I know 40 quid doesn't sound a lot but it is when you're already paying half a grand!

Argh! :confused:
 

jetsetjimbo

a.k.a James
Jun 12, 2005
630
0
J2 M5
I personally would find yourself a nice friendly independent specialist who actually cares about your business.
 

Deev

Full Member
May 28, 2006
329
4
Croydon, South London
I have considered that actually, although I'm torn because I've got a book full of lovely little SEAT stamps...

Anyone recommend any decent indys in the West Yorkshire area?
 

panholio

Full Member
Jun 26, 2006
333
0
Leeds
Try IVC in Leeds - 0113 2420875.

Not had any work done there but they gave me a very good quote for a service. Heard good things about them as well, they are Audi specialists but do all VAG services work etc as far as I know.

Worth a try?
 

timbland181

Guest
Hmmm, I dont know if this is right or not, but....

Had my 03 LCR 2 weeks (bought from Seat in Harrogate so 1 years warranty)

Started overheating on the motorway when i gave it some. Searched this forum obviously and put it down to the Water Pump failing.... Called out the AA (again in the SEAT cover), he tested loads of stuff then put it down to the same thing. Took it to Seat in York (Wills and Ellis) and they said they'd do it under warranty but recommended getting the Cam Belt done at the same time and they'd only charge me for the part (£30 ish).

Went to pick it up yesterday and they did the cam belt for free and charged the warranty company. ??

The lady on the front desk said "You did ok there didnt you, a cam belt change would have been £230.

This cant be right if you are being quoted over double. Maybe I am wrong....?
 

fahafiz

Active Member
Jan 29, 2007
231
0
IVE JUST HAD A CAMBELT CHANGE WITH TENSIONERS AND A WATER PUMP WITH A FULL SERVICE FOR.........
................ £273.00.... not from a dealer ofcourse.... thats parts and labour.... i still found it expensive lol (shame)
 

fahafiz

Active Member
Jan 29, 2007
231
0
Definetly.... It Cost Me £90 For Cambelt Kit With Tensioners, £25 For Water Pump, £8 Pollen Filter, And Then Air Filter, Oil Filter And Fuel Filter Cost £27... Oil Cost £ 23 (pd Oil Trade Price) And Then £100 To Fit Everything In Car + Service.... Not Bad I Think...
 

jetsetjimbo

a.k.a James
Jun 12, 2005
630
0
J2 M5
Definetly.... It Cost Me £90 For Cambelt Kit With Tensioners, £25 For Water Pump, £8 Pollen Filter, And Then Air Filter, Oil Filter And Fuel Filter Cost £27... Oil Cost £ 23 (pd Oil Trade Price) And Then £100 To Fit Everything In Car + Service.... Not Bad I Think...

£100 labour is very good for that work!
 

fahafiz

Active Member
Jan 29, 2007
231
0
well considering the fact it takes around 4 hours to do the work its not bad at all...£25 per hour...
 

Deleted member 7729

Guest
I'll be getting mine done at JKM along with my rear discs and pads.
 

Pabs

Active Member
May 3, 2004
5,936
4
Basingstoke
Independant garage all the time now - can still stamp your book for ya :)

Seeing as you drive an 02 plate, it won't be in warranty anyway, so no reason to pay dealer inflated prices and lacklustre work!
 

Deev

Full Member
May 28, 2006
329
4
Croydon, South London
Hmm - IVC just quoted me 320+VAT for the cambelt/water pump and 145+VAT for the service = 546 - so the same as a main dealer!

I'm liking the idea of the service at the main dealer (although granted the cheapest service I've been quoted from one is 210) and the cambelt from an indy but I'm still struggling with a decent indy in West Yorkshire.

Who'd have thought this would be so much hassle?
 
Oct 17, 2006
1,015
0
northwest
Hello

I'm struggling to understand what an actual main dealer service actually is...(I usually struggle with out drawings or nice small words)

Will they check everything on my car ?(as in all the nuts are tight?)
or do they just check certain things but cover most of the important stuff?

60K service to be more specific.

Also im planning on running this car into the ground(as in keeping it intil it pops its clogs) so do i really need a service? Ill change belt and oil and filters...grease stuff too..
 

Deev

Full Member
May 28, 2006
329
4
Croydon, South London
Well all the service really is is a change of oil and filters and stuff. I suppose if you're competent enough and you're not planning on selling on you could do the work yourself if you're not bothered about book stamps. I used to do all my own car servicing before this one but all my other cars have been "run into the ground". The fact I usually do it all myself is why it pains me so to pay someone 500 quid for it...
 
Oct 17, 2006
1,015
0
northwest
THX

Yeah it would be very painful for me right now...

when you say competent.... hehe

So if i change my oil 5-10K oil filter, air filter and 60K cambelt water thing I should be looking at 250K miles? :) with luck
 

Mitchy

TTRS
Oct 12, 2004
2,310
0
I have just been quoted £476.11 from JBS for my 60k service including waterpump/cambelt/tensioners and service.
 
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