[two doors down]

Hello I purchased my Golf 1.4 tsi blue motion technology new from local V W dealership in 21015 ,just covered 45,500 miles , car is now seven years old. A bit confused about timing belt replacement information , is it five years / 60,000, miles, first four services done at V W dealer last 3 done at independant trader who looked after previous car Mk 1 Focus R.S. Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[Crasher]

A contentious subject. VW UK say five years and their mileage varies from dealer to dealer. VAG Germany say 240000 km for a visual check and then every 30000km a visual check with no time interval, it is what we call a "workshop filler". Personally I find VAG UK's stance on this borderline fraud BUT if the trade went against this and followed what VAG Germany say and then a belt failed, you would look daft if not liable.

 

[Sam&Anne]

After a long and protracted discussion I had mine changed.
"We have never had a failure Sam".....
The motor is just over seven years old but with light mileage and I was given the "old" belt in its box.
I had a feeling that the case would be that the belt would be as new - and it certainly was.
No obvious signs of wear of any description but the change was for peace of mind in the face of so many contentious opinions.
As with most belt drives there may well be "flaws" not visible to the naked eye so I am OK with what has been done especially as I am just back from a hectic 1200 mile round trip back to old haunts in England and didn't want to spend any more time on the M6 (stationary) than I did. 😡
My opinion, and I wasn't born last weekend, is to get the job done. Cheap as chips in comparison to the "let's wait and see" scenario. 😥

 

[two doors down]

After a long and protracted discussion I had mine changed.
"We have never had a failure Sam".....
The motor is just over seven years old but with light mileage and I was given the "old" belt in its box.
I had a feeling that the case would be that the belt would be as new - and it certainly was.
No obvious signs of wear of any description but the change was for peace of mind in the face of so many contentious opinions.
As with most belt drives there may well be "flaws" not visible to the naked eye so I am OK with what has been done especially as I am just back from a hectic 1200 mile round trip back to old haunts in England and didn't want to spend any more time on the M6 (stationary) than I did. 😡
My opinion, and I wasn't born last weekend, is to get the job done. Cheap as chips in comparison to the "let's wait and see" scenario. 😥

Thanks for your replies Crasher / Same & Anne I have had a few Ford cars of late and had got used to their advisories of 10 years / 100,000 miles for cambelt change .This is my third Golf which I like, unfortunately can't say the same for local main dealer .I am intending to replace the belt asap just trying to locate an independant V.W. Specialist with a good reputation .Regarding the Fords I owned used swap the belts around 70 k region.

 

[Sam&Anne]

I have owned and maintained many Fords since 1967 including a Sierra Cosworth, a tasty Escort BDA and an RS2000. The first thing I did was to change the belts - because I wanted to know the job was done.
Material composition over the years has and will continue to change so what price peace of mind?
I am just old and tired now and as flexible as a lamppost so I just pay someone to do the work. Handy to have someone who can be trusted.

Be wary of "attractive" £250 jobs as there are a load of fasteners, fixtures and fittings to be replaced, not just the belt - as well as the skill of the competent fitter.

 

[two doors down]

I have owned and maintained many Fords since 1967 including a Sierra Cosworth, a tasty Escort BDA and an RS2000. The first thing I did was to change the belts - because I wanted to know the job was done.
Material composition over the years has and will continue to change so what price peace of mind?
I am just old and tired now and as flexible as a lamppost so I just pay someone to do the work. Handy to have someone who can be trusted.

Be wary of "attractive" £250 jobs as there are a load of fasteners, fixtures and fittings to be replaced, not just the belt - as well as the skill of the competent fitter.

That is a nice trio of Fast Fords you have owned Sam, I owned the Mk1 Focus RS from new it was my daily driver for over 10 years , millage was just shy of 125 k when I sold it to a family freind with a collection of future classics, he also had a body repair shop, he did a restoration of the metal work as 10 winters had not been kind to it .Mechanically it was looked after by local Ford specialist Pete Williams @ Demon Performance Centre, throughout my ownership it wanted for nothing. Regarding the cambelt on the Golf I am waiting for a call from a local mechanic who comes with a five star rating, and can apparently be found at B.T.C.C. meetings working on one teams race engines , so I feel it will be in very safe hands if he can fit it in. Over the years I have managed to swerve any quote that appeared to be unrealistic for the work involved.