Timing Belt Replacement Cost: Polo SDI - Is it Fair?

Hello fellow enthusiasts,

I received a quote of €350 for the timing belt replacement on my POLO SDI (year 2000). This price is supposed to include everything (belt, tensioner, small parts, labor, and a 2-year warranty).
What is your opinion on this? I've already received more expensive offers, but I still feel like it's a lot of money.

Regards,

Eike.

Well, Eike, I'm afraid you're going to have to deal with that. I just have the invoice for my Lupo SDI here, so let me list the items:

Inspection service (every 60,000 km): 50.70
Zahnriemen Aus- u. Installation: 74.10
Parking brake adjusted: €7.80.
AU: 30.68
Total salary: 163.28

K Rib Belt: 12.85
Timing belt: 34.30
Role: 38.00
Air filter: 15.75
Mirror: 25.30
Small: 3.07
TÜV fee: €39.00
Bitte gib mir den deutschen Text, den du übersetzt haben möchtest.

331.55 net / 6% VAT
Bitte gib mir den deutschen Text, den du übersetzt haben möchtest.

378.36 gross.
Bitte gib mir den deutschen Text, den du übersetzt haben möchtest.

Okay, you can subtract the 'foreign postings' to get a rough estimate. By the way, I had these things made in East Germany, hoping it would be a bit cheaper.

It's noteworthy that with a timing belt and timing belt/V-ribbed/roller kit, the price comes to just 159.25. Including VAT, that's 184.73. This was from a contracted workshop. However, whether just the timing belt would really have been that cheap is now speculation.

Best regards,

Hi Eike,

Is your Polo a 1.7 SDI (AKU, 60 hp) or a 1.9 (64 or so hp)?

There might be differences in the intervals and the costs.

m;

Hi Eike.

Is your Polo a 1.7 SDI (AKU, 60 hp) or a 1.9 (64 or so hp)?

There might be differences in the intervals and the costs.

m;

Hello,
es ist nicht mein Polo, sondern der eines Freundes. But whatever...
It's a 1.7 SDI with 60 horsepower. I unfortunately don't have the exact engine code. But there probably aren't that many different variations. The belt needs to be replaced for the first time after 60,000 km. We do the other maintenance work ourselves, as the car is no longer covered by the warranty.
'The difference between €350 and €160 is quite significant. Can someone explain this?'

Regards,

Eike.

"350 EUR is already okay. I paid 332 EUR at a Skoda workshop. A local independent garage wanted 380 EUR, mentioning that it would cost 480 EUR at VW (since they come from there)."

mcgregg

'Sorry for jumping in here. I don't know much about SDIs, but I've replaced several timing belts (e.g., on 1Z engines). It's not really that complicated. You just need a few tools, some time, and patience. The material costs are probably a maximum of €100, and that's it! Also, you'll realize that replacing the timing belt isn't rocket science, and the prices that workshops charge for it are unjustified and completely excessive!'