Good VW/VAG Specialist in the Thames Valley?

[shoestring7]

I've just moved into the area just as my '05 Golf Gti ticked over to 80k miles. It needs a DSG oil+filter and a new cam-belt.

Can anyone recommend a reliable, competent specialist near Bracknell?

thanks


SS7

[Lazadude]

Bit further away, but since being in Surrey/Hampshire, I've always use the Phirm.

Located in Hartley Wintney, so a twenty minute drive down the A30 from Bracknell. Tim etc are all very knowledgable.

[va1o]

marlowvw.co.uk in High Wycombe have quite a good reputation although I haven't used them myself.

I've found in the past that DSG oil and cambelt changes can often be cheaper just at main VW dealers on the fixed price menu schemes. Ridgeway or Windrush VW are near you.

[shoestring7]

va1o said:

marlowvw.co.uk in High Wycombe have quite a good reputation although I haven't used them myself.

I've found in the past that DSG oil and cambelt changes can often be cheaper just at main VW dealers on the fixed price menu schemes. Ridgeway or Windrush VW are near you.

Windrush wanted £600 for the both, hence the search for a good Indy.

SS7

[va1o]

Hmm that's probably about right, you'd be doing well to get it for under £500 all in. They aren't cheap jobs unfortunately

[silentbrown]

shoestring7 said:

Windrush wanted £600 for the both, hence the search for a good Indy.

SS7

MarlowVW have prices online: DSG £179, Cambelt £425 = £604...

http://www.marlowvw.co.uk/vw-services.html

[ManOpener]

You could try Mill Road in Caversham? I used them with my old GT TDI, they were very knowledgeable and always competitive in price. That was the best part of 10 years ago though...

My local specialist quoted me £405 for cambelt and water pump so between £550 and £600 is probably about right for DSG too.

[Sir_Dave]

I tend to use http://sjbautotech.co.uk/ for all the jobs on Sarah's TT that i cant be bothered with.

[shoestring7]

ManOpener said:

You could try Mill Road in Caversham? I used them with my old GT TDI, they were very knowledgeable and always competitive in price. That was the best part of 10 years ago though...

My local specialist quoted me £405 for cambelt and water pump so between £550 and £600 is probably about right for DSG too.

That's interesting and I'll phone around for some quotes from the businesses mentioned above. Windrush told me 4 hours for the cam belt. I assumed the ~£100/hr main dealer labour rate could be beaten by a specialist at ~£60/hour.

SS7

[illmonkey]

Used Birks Motorsport for my old Corrado, Graham has extensive knowledge of older VW's.

[NBirkitt]

No personal experience, but they are right on your doorstep...

BMAUTOS
( specialise in BMW + VW / Audi )

Terrace Road South Binfield Bracknell, Berks RG42 4DS
T: 01344 301 501

www.bmautoscarservice.co.uk

[anonymous-user]

Cambelt Promotion
Cambelt change now only £299
Not changing your cambelt could cause a fair bit of damage to your engine. Thankfully, all you have to do is bring it to us and we’ll change it for you. We only use Volkswagen genuine parts, which come with our two year parts and labour warranty.

You’ll also get a Volkswagen stamp in your service book (always nice to have).

And at just £299 you save £50. While we’re in there it also makes sense, if necessary, to replace the water pump. We’ll change both for just £349 saving you £80.



Windrush dont offer this promotion for some reason, but other local VW main dealers are likely to.. Cheaper than Indy

[shoestring7]

Jimboka said:

Cambelt Promotion
Cambelt change now only £299
Not changing your cambelt could cause a fair bit of damage to your engine. Thankfully, all you have to do is bring it to us and we’ll change it for you. We only use Volkswagen genuine parts, which come with our two year parts and labour warranty.

You’ll also get a Volkswagen stamp in your service book (always nice to have).

And at just £299 you save £50. While we’re in there it also makes sense, if necessary, to replace the water pump. We’ll change both for just £349 saving you £80.

Windrush dont offer this promotion for some reason, but other local VW main dealers are likely to.. Cheaper than Indy

Sadly, from what I see this offer expired at the end of December 2014.

SS7

[va1o]

Your other option would be to use a SEAT dealer who under their fixed price scheme would do the cambelt for £299 and obviously its exactly the same part VW use - http://www.seat.co.uk/content/uk/brand/en/services...

DSG Oil is generally £175 at main dealers and independants. My local place (Citygate VW) charge £179 for DSG and £419 for the Belt

I agree with your principal about using an independent, but from experience these two particular items are more cost effective at a main dealer.

[shoestring7]

I asked Opie oils about the DSG oil. They do 8l of a suitable Motul product for just over £100-.

SS7

[anonymous-user]

shoestring7 said:

Sadly, from what I see this offer expired at the end of December 2014.

SS7

Oops - it's still on the main vw website for some reason,,

[cbgt3]

Some guys posted on another forum, but I cant remember where about using Skoda main dealers for cambelt changes in VWs, same engines and parts but far cheaper labour rates they were saying.
Might be worth an ask.

[Dr G]

Jimboka said:

Cambelt Promotion
Cambelt change now only £299
Not changing your cambelt could cause a fair bit of damage to your engine. Thankfully, all you have to do is bring it to us and we’ll change it for you. We only use Volkswagen genuine parts, which come with our two year parts and labour warranty.

You’ll also get a Volkswagen stamp in your service book (always nice to have).

And at just £299 you save £50. While we’re in there it also makes sense, if necessary, to replace the water pump. We’ll change both for just £349 saving you £80.

Windrush dont offer this promotion for some reason, but other local VW main dealers are likely to.. Cheaper than Indy

It's a loss leader and no, an indy can't easily beat it.

£200 of parts and 4 hours of labour. The VW prices are an absolute steal.

[shoestring7]

Dr G said:

Jimboka said:

Cambelt Promotion
Cambelt change now only £299
Not changing your cambelt could cause a fair bit of damage to your engine. Thankfully, all you have to do is bring it to us and we’ll change it for you. We only use Volkswagen genuine parts, which come with our two year parts and labour warranty.

You’ll also get a Volkswagen stamp in your service book (always nice to have).

And at just £299 you save £50. While we’re in there it also makes sense, if necessary, to replace the water pump. We’ll change both for just £349 saving you £80.

Windrush dont offer this promotion for some reason, but other local VW main dealers are likely to.. Cheaper than Indy

It's a loss leader and no, an indy can't easily beat it.

£200 of parts and 4 hours of labour. The VW prices are an absolute steal.

I've called three main dealers in different parts of the country; all quote £399 for the belt+idlers and £449 inc the water pump - I suspect the promotional price is for non-turbo cars.

SS7