"Ted" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Richard Goulding" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > "Ted" > wrote in message
> > ...
> >> well, it's just been replaced at 61k miles. I ended up with 3 quotes,
all
> >> very close at £600. (Audi dealership, a VWAudi specialist and a general
> >> repair garage) All quoting using original Audi parts.
> >>
> >> 8 items were to be replaced.
> >>
> >> cam belt
> >> roller
> >> relay roller
> >> multi V belt
> >> belt damper x 2
> >> water pump
> >> anti freeze.
> >>
> >> It took approx 5 hours to complete.
> >>
> >> £225 labour, £305 parts + the dreaded 17.5
> >>
> >> I opted for the VWAudi specialist for 2 reasons, I knew the Audi
> > dealership
> >> would hike up the bill (from previous experience) and the specialist
was
> >> sited close to family so could go visiting while work being done.
> >>
> >> conclusion, a nice job carried out by a competent mechanic.
> >>
> >> just before my car was due this work, a neighbour had his car belt(s)
> >> changed by a friend of the family, the car was up on blocks, in the
> >> drive,
> >> for 3 days and resulted in a second 'mechanic' finishing the job plus
> > owner
> >> ended up also paying for an alternator that they managed to destroy at
> >> the
> >> same time.
> >>
> >> dj
> >> (ps if anyone in Hampshire, UK wants to know the workshop please ask)
> >
> > Had exactly the same work done (+ the thermostat) on my A4 2.8 Quattro
> > using all genuine parts source through the local Audi main dealer. The
> > work
> > was done by my local garage. It cost me £365 inc VAT. 4 hours labour in
> > total. I live in the north of England though so may be a regional
> > difference.
> >
> > That was done 12,000 miles ago so I think it was done well.
> >
> > Richard
> >
> >
>
> yes didn't you post a few months back...........that's a good price but I
am
> sure costs have increased a little and as you say we are in the thick of
> bucksville down here.
>
> never the less, the A4 is still a class motor and well worth the
> maintaining.
>

Your parts prices seem high but I suspect they will come from the local
dealer which may be expensive. Labour rates are not too bad compared to the
dealer. My local garage charges 30+vat/hour where as my dealer is
75+vat/hour. It not hard to work out why the dealer job is so expensive.
I've had work done at both and the local garage does an equal if not better
job. I think I'm just lucky to have an excellent garage within half a mile
of my home. They seem confident they can do most jobs on the car also.

I don't think they are too costly to maintain if you get a good independent.

Richard