Cam Belt

[littlebrooklyn]

We've always had our car serviced regularly and at the last service we were told the cambelt would need changing on it's next service. For some reason Keith seems to have got a bee in his bonnet about getting it done now, even though it was only serviced back in March. The Indie we use charges £900 and as I spent that amount on the service I'm relucant to shell out that much again so soon.

Car was 8yrs old in March and has done 34,000 miles so mileage wise it's very low, but at 8yrs old it's getting old I guess. Local garage can do the cambelt for £560 which is more affordable but would the Indie would a better place to go, I'm clueless as usual.

Ideally I'd like to just get a newer car but I have to keep talking myself out of that as I know that the novelty would soon wear off.

 

[norwoodboy]

Its kind of risk and reward for me, The risk being the cambelt snaps which most likely cause you a world of pain in terms of damage being caused if it goes at the wrong time ie. Being driven!
The reward in not doing anything would be a short term saving for some 9 months till the next service is due, I know what i would do but i am risk averse as to where it would be done not too sure it makes any difference as long as OEM parts are used.

 

[littlebrooklyn]

Its kind of risk and reward for me, The risk being the cambelt snaps which most likely cause you a world of pain in terms of damage being caused if it goes at the wrong time ie. Being driven!
The reward in not doing anything would be a short term saving for some 9 months till the next service is due, I know what i would do but i am risk averse as to where it would be done not too sure it makes any difference as long as OEM parts are used.

Yes Keith keeps saying if the cambelt went it would probably cost thousands to fix, I guess I was hoping it would just carry on doing what it does for longer.

 

[onefortheroad]

A service being carried out has nothing to do with either a cam belt or a water pump.

What is the mercedes recommended intervals for your cam belt. ??

I'd favour the low mileage to of not aged the rubber belt over time tbh. Than that of a car with 90,000 on at 8 years old.

 

[DSK]

Whilst don’t know what the change interval on yours is, these parts are just normal periodic service items and do not render a car as old or useless. The materials also used on modern day stuff is horrific.

I’d personally assess its condition, and then see if you think it’s frail or good enough to last until the next service.

In my early motoring years when I used to run around in Toyotas, that I bought with around 120k and ran to around 190k, I never changed the cam belts and neither did some of them have it done before purchase! My motto then was if it snaps I’ll give myself a clip around the ear, sell it for parts and buy another. I wouldn’t do that now though!


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[ioweddie]

I thought all Merc's had a chain

 

[littlebrooklyn]

Whilst don’t know what the change interval on yours is, these parts are just normal periodic service items and do not render a car as old or useless. The materials also used on modern day stuff is horrific.

I’d personally assess its condition, and then see if you think it’s frail or good enough to last until the next service.

In my early motoring years when I used to run around in Toyotas, that I bought with around 120k and ran to around 190k, I never changed the cam belts and neither did some of them have it done before purchase! My motto then was if it snaps I’ll give myself a clip around the ear, sell it for parts and buy another. I wouldn’t do that now though!


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Change interval is 70,000 miles or 4/5yrs old, whichever comes first. So in theory it needs changing, just odd it's never been mentioned to us before.

 

[Rockron]

Determine if the engine is a non interference model or not, would be my first move.
Then the imperative of getting the cambelt changed right now is at least lessened.

£900....... the price of the "devil you know", giving good service and workmanship up to date?
versus the job being carried out by an Indie with a saving of £340. Presumably someone
you haven't dealt with before? Perhaps getting a bit of feedback on the Indies
reputation first might swing your decision his way, or perhaps not .

 

[Blobcat]

I thought all Merc's had a chain

Renault engine…

 

[onefortheroad]

Change interval is 70,000 miles or 4/5yrs old, whichever comes first. So in theory it needs changing, just odd it's never been mentioned to us before.

Second change then ??

 

[onefortheroad]

I thought all Merc's had a chain

Proper ones do.

 

[EmilysDad]

I'm curious as to what was serviced if it cost £900!

 

[DSK]

I'm curious as to what was serviced if it cost £900!

That’s my typical bill for fluids, all filters, atf and some labour. Anything less is not a service.


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[EmilysDad]

That’s my typical bill for fluids, all filters, atf and some labour.

I've never had a service on my cars then .....

... someone is pulling your chain if your fluids etc cost that much.

Anything less is not a service.

I disagree

 

[DSK]

I supply my own, oils I always buy 2 full 5L tubs and not the cheapest stuff so that’s an easy £100 give or take. Then all the usual old school filters set and that’s £290 so £390 before anything’s done.


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[onefortheroad]

I'm curious as to what was serviced if it cost £900!

This car and the 2 parked along side it

 

[sonic]

I am assuming its the rubber Renault derived engine cam belt? Google says £212 to £511, which is the sort of price I would expect to pay.
Any competent garage is able to change a cam belt, it certainly docent need to be a MB or MB independent garage.
I would have a ring around & see what everyone else is charging.
I would also do the same with your servicing, my last A service with MB was £210. Before that I had a 3 years service contract with MB for £1,100.

 

[EmilysDad]

I supply my own, oils I always buy 2 full 5L tubs and not the cheapest stuff so that’s an easy £100 give or take. Then all the usual old school filters set and that’s £290 so £390 before anything’s done.


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So ..... that's about £500 of other stuff ???

 

[DSK]

So ..... that's about £500 of other stuff ???

Yep add

£300 is for atf service.
I always have brake fluid done annually also.
There will be other random stuff that needs doing such is modern Mercedes woeful quality, so expect little bit additional cost there.
Then labour which is around an easy £300 give or take.


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[EmilysDad]

Yep add

£300 is for atf service.
I always have brake fluid done annually also.
There will be other random stuff that needs doing such is modern Mercedes woeful quality, so expect little bit additional cost there.
Then labour which is around an easy £300 give or take.


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but atf isn't a yearly service item