Best deal on a BEW timing belt job (BC, Canada)

eberg

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 16, 2013
Location
Coquitlam, BC, Canada
TDI
2005 Jetta TDI, Manual - 2000 Golf TDI, Manual
Need to get timing belt done on the Jetta and was phoning some of the trusted mechanics for a quote

Yogi in New West 950
PG Performance in Surrey 950
JS Performance in Abbotsford 755

I am not excited about driving to Abbotsford, but for nearly 200 bucks less, it is hard to justify not doing it.
To my knowledge all of these shops have excellent reputation, so the quality of work and materials should be comparable.
 

rwolff

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2002
Location
Lesser continental mass, Tosev 3
TDI
None yet
Price is only half the picture. Did you ask for a list of parts that would be replaced (including brand), along with the scope of the work, from each of these providers? Remember that if they list "IDParts BEW timing belt kit", they don't need to list each item the kit contains individually (up to you to do the comparison if one mechanic lists a kit and another lists individual parts). If the name "Prothe" or "Rothenbacher" appears in the quote (other than in the context "This shop does not use ANY parts from Prothe"), don't take your car there. Some of the bolts which need to be removed in order to do the job are TTY, and need to be replaced - otherwise your engine can fall out when the re-used bolts fail.

Your engine is known to have cams be a semi-consumable item. Scope of work should include "Remove valve cover and inspect cam and lifters for signs of excess wear" - if the cam is worn, now is the time to do it, since cam replacement involves taking off the timing belt.
 

Windex

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Apr 1, 2006
Location
Cambridge
TDI
05 B5V 01E FRF
If getting the "best deal" on a timing belt is your primary concern, you're doing it wrong.
 

rwolff

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2002
Location
Lesser continental mass, Tosev 3
TDI
None yet
If getting the "best deal" on a timing belt is your primary concern, you're doing it wrong.
Yep, someone doing a "mark and pray", getting the belt from Prothe, and replacing ONLY the belt can easily undercut the price quoted by someone who does it right. What have you got to lose (besides your engine)?
 

deeslman

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2014
Location
Newfoundland, Pa.
TDI
2005 punchbuggy 2006 jetta
Any one care to offer the difference in price?
The man is shopping, nothing more, nothing less.
He did name "gurus", so it appears he is somewhat knowledgeable.
 

hughesjasonk

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2013
Location
New York
TDI
2002 Jetta MK4;
Any one care to offer the difference in price?
The man is shopping, nothing more, nothing less.
He did name "gurus", so it appears he is somewhat knowledgeable.
^^this^^

Might want to look at metalman parts for the kit and just get labor quotes. I found them to be the cheapest as far as the kits are concerned.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
 

Windex

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Apr 1, 2006
Location
Cambridge
TDI
05 B5V 01E FRF
In my 20+ years as a mechanic, customers who shop with lowest price as their most important factor tend to be the worst customers.

Jus' saying. :rolleyes:
 

hughesjasonk

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2013
Location
New York
TDI
2002 Jetta MK4;
In my 20+ years as a mechanic, customers who shop with lowest price as their most important factor tend to be the worst customers.

Jus' saying. :rolleyes:
I don't agree with you. IMHO mechanics make me worst customers.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
 

deeslman

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2014
Location
Newfoundland, Pa.
TDI
2005 punchbuggy 2006 jetta
As stated in every walk of life, it's about comparing "apples to apples".
Shopping around is good business sense. Then a face to face to make sure.
Best of luck to you. I have purchased kits from Bora Parts and recommend
them highly. Finding a mechanic to install customer supplied parts is another
issue. Be upfront and a true businessman will respond the same.
 

CoolAirVw

Vendor
Joined
Nov 9, 2005
Location
Kansas City Missouri
TDI
Jetta
providing your own parts cheats yourself out of a warranty. Since TB fail causes engine damage seems you would want a warranty from a shop. Assuming of course that your shop has insurance to cover engines when TB's fail.
 

eberg

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 16, 2013
Location
Coquitlam, BC, Canada
TDI
2005 Jetta TDI, Manual - 2000 Golf TDI, Manual
Just want to clarify that YES I am shopping for the best price and I am not ashamed of it. I am not wealthy enough not to care.
However, I am only asking for quotes from very reputable TDI specialists - most TDI enthusiasts in Vancouver, and many from much further away will know about the shops in my original posting, but google to see for yourself if not.
 
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