Where can I get quality Cambelt change CHEAP?

[PurpleMtec]

Local garage quote me £280.

I want cheaper but proper job.

[Templ8e30]

That garage really doesn't want the job, get a haynes or a bentley manual and do the job yourself, new cambelt and tensioner will set you back less than £30.

Even a good independant BMW garage would only charge about £100-£150 for a cambelt change.

Cheers,

Iain T

[Careanla]

I'd advise doing the water pump at the same time too.

I heard that when replacing the cam belt and tensioner you can put strain on the old water pump so best to get them done at the same time...

[dobbie82]

I was quoted £180 for one of my e30's but cant remember if it was the m40 or the m20. 4hrs labour at £30 per hr and I guess £60 for the belt, but was the type of garage that only charges you for the actual time the job takes them even if they quoted more, so if theyd have been able to get it done in 2 hours then it wud have cost me £120

[Gwynleym10]

Where abouts are you? Perhaps a zoner could do it. Is it m20 or m40 - because you need a special m40 tool to do that.

[DaveD]

try beardymat

[Kos]

I was quoted £180 for one of my e30's but cant remember if it was the m40 or the m20. 4hrs labour at £30 per hr and I guess £60 for the belt, but was the type of garage that only charges you for the actual time the job takes them even if they quoted more, so if theyd have been able to get it done in 2 hours then it wud have cost me £120

a cam belt and tensioner are only £30 on either engine

[Brianmoooore]

I'd advise doing the water pump at the same time too.

I heard that when replacing the cam belt and tensioner you can put strain on the old water pump so best to get them done at the same time...

It's more that the M20 water pump isn't ultra long term reliable, and you have to disturb the timing belt tensioner to change the pump.
Also a lot of the dismantling required is the same for the belt as for the pump, so it makes sense to do both at the same time, or at least change the pump every second belt change.

[Careanla]

Not knowing much about the E30 (only owned one for 2weeks) but looking at the layout it seems a lot easier to do the cam belt/tensioner/water pump than on the Mondeo I had.

I was watching the mechanic do mine on the Mondeo and in total the cam belt/tensioner took about 1hr 45mins which includes changing the pollen filter (bit of bugger at the time and took about 20mins).

I had another mechanic do the water pump 3weeks later 'cos it started to leak (hence my mention of the note on the water pump being done at the same time). He also changed a water pipe and this took him 2hrs as it involves removing the cambelt again etc.

I can't stand mechanics who take the piss when quoting times!

The above is just showing times it actually takes for jobs to be done from the experiences I've had.

[PurpleMtec]

I got quote from BMW Sytner garage £280.

Engine is M20 325i.

I can fit cambelt as I did Swift GTi.

I like to do it I want plenty of support.

[Brianmoooore]

As cambelt fitting on engines goes, the BMW M20 engine is one of the easier ones. Only one cam, one idler and plenty of room to work, plus an automatic tensioner. Doesn't come much easier!