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Timing belt - '88 325i - chain or belt?
Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 7:20 pm
by Wid77
Hi, I rang 2 garages today (in Leicester) to get a quote for my cambelt, tensioner and water pump. Both said that they couldn't quote as the car has a 'chain' and not a 'belt'. I am confused now as i am sure it has a belt. Is there a 325i E30 with a chain instead of a belt? Can anyone help me out here? Thanks
Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 7:31 pm
by DazzyA
I'm 99.9% sure all 325's are have belts.
Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 8:13 pm
by Wid77
Thought so. Cheers.
Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 8:59 pm
by kam-325i
It will be a belt....sorry...
Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 10:26 pm
by Brianmoooore
Definitely a belt, and I wouldn't go near either of those garages.
Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 10:35 pm
by A1BMW325iSport
go to bmw dealer mate, that way you get genuine parts and quality workmanship, and they are not bad on price either
Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 11:02 pm
by Wid77
A1BMW325iSport wrote:go to bmw dealer mate, that way you get genuine parts and quality workmanship, and they are not bad on price either
That surprises me mate. I am not doubting you for a second but i have always stayed well away from main dealers as i thought the cost would be at least twice as much! I would have thought that they wouldn't be interested in a 17 year old car? I will give them a ring in the morning and find out. Cheers.
Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 11:08 pm
by gcorky
well i really wouldnt personnaly,as most competent garages could fit belts to these as ,lets face it they aint hi-tech multivalve jobs ,and most dealers are well over 50 pounds per hour..........just my opinion.
Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 11:19 pm
by Brianmoooore
gcorky wrote:well i really wouldnt personnaly,as most competent garages could fit belts to these as ,lets face it they aint hi-tech multivalve jobs ,and most dealers are well over 50 pounds per hour..........just my opinion.
The operative word here is "competent", and in my experience, these are few and far between.
They are out there, though, so if you find one, look after them.
Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 11:27 pm
by A1BMW325iSport
always get A1 service from my dealer both from the parts and service department, i first went there years ago with my old e28 and they bent over backwards to help so i never bothered looking elsewhere
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2006 8:14 pm
by Wid77
Have now been waiting 2 days for BMW garage (Syntner in Leicester) to ring me back with prices for Insp 1, Insp 2 & cambelt + waterpump change..... Not that impressed so far. Anyone know a garage they would recommend in Leicester?
Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2006 5:27 pm
by Wid77
Well, after 4 days of waiting and being put through to different people and generally being f****d around, i have my price for an inspection 2 + cambelt change....... Ԛ£475. I think it is a bit steep but it may explain why they are able to fund a hairdresser and beauty salon for customers while they wait for their X5 to have it's oil changed!