Upto £1,500 to change the clutch on a Golf? Surely not?
Discussion
Clutch on the Golf (highish mileage 2008 MK5 1.9TDI) seems to be on its way. It engages ok and doesn't slip, but doesn't disengage so well - sometimes hard to get in or out of gear when stationary and crunches a little when it does go (other times fine).
We're big fans of main dealers for work done on our cars (I know opinion is very divided on this, but we've always had exemplary service and been very happy - albeit at probably a bit more cost than an indy would charge).
So, off to the local VW dealer to be told:
Gearbox has to come out regardless to change clutch - £579.
Then if it is just the clutch an additional £343.
If it requires a flywheel as well add on another £626 to both the above.
So basically best case is just under £1,000, worst case is over £1,500!
I know it is main dealer prices (and we won't be paying it, we'll use an indy), but on that basis any Golf worth much less than £2,000 is potentially a write off if the clutch goes!
Seems extraordinary to me - any thoughts?
We're big fans of main dealers for work done on our cars (I know opinion is very divided on this, but we've always had exemplary service and been very happy - albeit at probably a bit more cost than an indy would charge).
So, off to the local VW dealer to be told:
Gearbox has to come out regardless to change clutch - £579.
Then if it is just the clutch an additional £343.
If it requires a flywheel as well add on another £626 to both the above.
So basically best case is just under £1,000, worst case is over £1,500!
I know it is main dealer prices (and we won't be paying it, we'll use an indy), but on that basis any Golf worth much less than £2,000 is potentially a write off if the clutch goes!
Seems extraordinary to me - any thoughts?
Even at non-dealer prices, the bits ain't cheap.
Looking at Mister-Auto, and ignoring the Bolk cheap rubbish, a Valeo clutch-plus-SMF kit is £420, Sachs clutch-plus-DMF kit is £430, LUK is £560 ("list price £780" - almost certainly the OEM manufacturer for VAG).
So dealer labour rate plus dealer list parts...? Well, yep... Not altogether surprised. Actually, that's not quite true. I'm surprised it's only ~5hrs labour.
Looking at Mister-Auto, and ignoring the Bolk cheap rubbish, a Valeo clutch-plus-SMF kit is £420, Sachs clutch-plus-DMF kit is £430, LUK is £560 ("list price £780" - almost certainly the OEM manufacturer for VAG).
So dealer labour rate plus dealer list parts...? Well, yep... Not altogether surprised. Actually, that's not quite true. I'm surprised it's only ~5hrs labour.
TooMany2cvs said:
Even at non-dealer prices, the bits ain't cheap.
Looking at Mister-Auto, and ignoring the Bolk cheap rubbish, a Valeo clutch-plus-SMF kit is £420, Sachs clutch-plus-DMF kit is £430, LUK is £560 ("list price £780" - almost certainly the OEM manufacturer for VAG).
So dealer labour rate plus dealer list parts...? Well, yep... Not altogether surprised. Actually, that's not quite true. I'm surprised it's only ~5hrs labour.
LUK DMF + clutch £350 from a well known clutch seller on ebay...Looking at Mister-Auto, and ignoring the Bolk cheap rubbish, a Valeo clutch-plus-SMF kit is £420, Sachs clutch-plus-DMF kit is £430, LUK is £560 ("list price £780" - almost certainly the OEM manufacturer for VAG).
So dealer labour rate plus dealer list parts...? Well, yep... Not altogether surprised. Actually, that's not quite true. I'm surprised it's only ~5hrs labour.
I went to a gearbox specialist in Bristol, and paid £580 for a Clutch, DMF and concentric slave cylinder in December. My car is one of 1500 in the uk with that engine and gearbox setup, so I would've expected it to be awkward to get hold of parts, but no. A day later, had them all in the car, with the clutch system bled too for £580.
A more common car such as the golf, should be at the absolute maximum, the same as I paid, probably less.
They're having you on.
That was LUK stuff too.
A more common car such as the golf, should be at the absolute maximum, the same as I paid, probably less.
They're having you on.
That was LUK stuff too.
Don't be tempted to save a few quid and supply your own parts, if they supply and fit and there's a problem it's down to them, if you supply the parts you'll be paying again to get them out then arguing who's fault it was, fitter or clutch manufacturer.
plus you won't save anything , he'll just add an hour on to cover the lost profit on the parts
plus you won't save anything , he'll just add an hour on to cover the lost profit on the parts
kambites said:
Sadly, modern cars aren't designed to be easy to service. It'll be interesting to see what an Indy quotes you, it'll still be a fair chunk I'd imagine.
Modern cars ARE designed to be serviced. They just have more and more stuff in shrinking engine bays...that's what the customers get for demanding more performance and better economy 
wack said:
Don't be tempted to save a few quid and supply your own parts, if they supply and fit and there's a problem it's down to them, if you supply the parts you'll be paying again to get them out then arguing who's fault it was, fitter or clutch manufacturer.
plus you won't save anything , he'll just add an hour on to cover the lost profit on the parts
Sensible advice but neither the time nor the inclination to do that. Just want to drop it off and pick it up later fixed.plus you won't save anything , he'll just add an hour on to cover the lost profit on the parts
Not for £1,500 just to change the clutch though!
Ari said:
Sensible advice but neither the time nor the inclination to do that. Just want to drop it off and pick it up later fixed.
Not for £1,500 just to change the clutch though!
But it's not £1,500 to change the clutch.Not for £1,500 just to change the clutch though!
It's:
£1,000 to change clutch
or
£1,500 to change clutch and flywheel
Not surprising for a main dealer. Go indie or pay the full price and move on.
The clutch is one of the items on my "Don't buy cheap ebay parts" list. Mostly because if it fails it's a nightmare doing it all again. I'm firmly in the camp of getting a good specialist to do it with good branded parts from a trusted supplier. Beware of eastern knock off parts sold on places like ebay as well.
aka_kerrly said:
^^ This. Or even better, dump the DMF. Darkside do a kit for this. Solid flywheel, clutch kit and bolts. Under £300. As soon as I can afford it, that's what I'm doing to my Octavia.Are you sure its the clutch and not just the master cylinder?
ie. needs new seals
(ignore this if its cable operated)
made that mistake years ago when my mates Mini wouldn't go into gear.
Changed the clutch on his driveway (b
h of a job) and then found out it just needed a clutch master cylinder repair kit for £3! Oops
ie. needs new seals
(ignore this if its cable operated)
made that mistake years ago when my mates Mini wouldn't go into gear.
Changed the clutch on his driveway (b
h of a job) and then found out it just needed a clutch master cylinder repair kit for £3! Oopsmatchmaker said:
aka_kerrly said:
^^ This. Dump the DMF.HorneyMX5 said:
The clutch is one of the items on my "Don't buy cheap ebay parts" list. Mostly because if it fails it's a nightmare doing it all again. I'm firmly in the camp of getting a good specialist to do it with good branded parts from a trusted supplier. Beware of eastern knock off parts sold on places like ebay as well.
As mentioned by another poster, Luk/Sachs, both respected brands are available for £300, probably as good or better than oem, a days work for a competent mechanic, £200 - £300 isnt bad wages, depends on the overheads.Will probably see the car out.
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