M20 Cambelt change cost-sound about right?

Post Fri Apr 08, 2016 2:11 pm

Hi,
I recently bought a very nice F plate 320i from another member of the zone.The car really is pretty much spot on.Going through the history,the cambelt was last changed 10 years ago but the car has only done another 4k miles since.
I'm getting it changed and being based in St.Helens I contacted Linwar garage of Southport who have a great reputation servicing older BMWs.I spoke to the owner and basically the parts are circa £130 give or take and labour £250 give or take. He said it's advisable to to check and adjust the valve guides (I think that's what he said,i'm a chef and haven't got a Scooby do about mechanics!) while doing the belt along with the water pump and check condition of rotor arm,distributor cap etc.
So it's more than I expected if i'm honest as with the VAT it's going to be £450ish.
Sound about right?

Post Fri Apr 08, 2016 6:45 pm

No half that sounds about right

Post Fri Apr 08, 2016 6:53 pm

Really?It's hard finding a good reputable garage to do the work locally.There's a big independent BMW specialist close to me but to be honest the car is older than the guys working in there so i'm not convinced they are entirely happy working on it.
I have booked with the guy in Southport and to be fair he really sounds like he knows the older cars inside out and runs a 325i Sport himself which is always a good sign.

Post Fri Apr 08, 2016 8:01 pm

andyp wrote:No half that sounds about right

Maybe ten years ago
Id rather pay the extra and be happy the job is done right by somebody competent than take it to fitterzz for £50 cheaper

Post Fri Apr 08, 2016 8:20 pm

DanThe wrote:
andyp wrote:No half that sounds about right
Maybe ten years ago
Id rather pay the extra and be happy the job is done right by somebody competent than take it to fitterzz for £50 cheaper

Correct...

£125 to supply and fit a decent brand M20 cambelt kit and antifreeze change will only be found from types working from government sponsored accommodation

Post Fri Apr 08, 2016 8:44 pm

Look at the wiki and consider doing it all yourself it's not rocket science, don't be afraid, it's probably much harder than producing a fancy meal!

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... elt_Change

Post Fri Apr 08, 2016 9:49 pm

tomson wrote:
DanThe wrote:
andyp wrote:No half that sounds about right
Maybe ten years ago
Id rather pay the extra and be happy the job is done right by somebody competent than take it to fitterzz for £50 cheaper
Correct...

£125 to supply and fit a decent brand M20 cambelt kit and antifreeze change will only be found from types working from government sponsored accommodation

No not £125.00 about £250.00, £450.00 is taking the p--s

Post Fri Apr 08, 2016 10:03 pm

Cam belt kit, fan and PAS belts, water pump and 5ltr of coolant from ECP is about £80.

3 hours labour is plenty.

Post Fri Apr 08, 2016 10:15 pm

andyp wrote:
tomson wrote:
DanThe wrote: Maybe ten years ago
Id rather pay the extra and be happy the job is done right by somebody competent than take it to fitterzz for £50 cheaper
Correct...

£125 to supply and fit a decent brand M20 cambelt kit and antifreeze change will only be found from types working from government sponsored accommodation
No not £125.00 about £250.00, £450.00 is taking the p--s

Agreed Andy, I misread the op, £250 is a more than fair price.

Post Fri Apr 08, 2016 10:16 pm

bss325i wrote:Cam belt kit, fan and PAS belts, water pump and 5ltr of coolant from ECP is about £80.

3 hours labour is plenty.

£80 will not buy you f**k all towards this Barry at list prices!

Post Fri Apr 08, 2016 10:39 pm

tomson wrote:
bss325i wrote:Cam belt kit, fan and PAS belts, water pump and 5ltr of coolant from ECP is about £80.

3 hours labour is plenty.
£80 will not buy you f**k all towards this Barry at list prices!

I have bought all of the above more times than i care to remember at that price.

Genuine BMW On the other hand.....

Post Fri Apr 08, 2016 10:58 pm

bss325i wrote:
tomson wrote:
bss325i wrote:Cam belt kit, fan and PAS belts, water pump and 5ltr of coolant from ECP is about £80.

3 hours labour is plenty.
£80 will not buy you f**k all towards this Barry at list prices!
I have bought all of the above more times than i care to remember at that price.

Genuine BMW On the other hand.....

Ok fair enough, I've just looked at ECP website and apart from the contitech belt the rest is scrap bands that I personally wouldn't touch...

Post Fri Apr 08, 2016 11:08 pm

bss325i wrote:Cam belt kit, fan and PAS belts, water pump and 5ltr of coolant from ECP is about £80.

3 hours labour is plenty.

i'd go with this using brand makers , f00k paying some coonts mortgage

Post Fri Apr 08, 2016 11:16 pm

An M20 belt job isn't paying anybody's mortgage down here magpie.

I've forgotten how many of these I've done so end of comments from me on this, good night

Post Fri Apr 08, 2016 11:51 pm

Thanks for the input.I didn't mean to start any arguments!

I'll bite the bullet and stump up the cash for the peace of mind.

Post Sat Apr 09, 2016 12:09 am

tomson wrote:An M20 belt job isn't paying anybody's mortgage down here magpie.

I've forgotten how many of these I've done so end of comments from me on this, good night

i'd rather do it myself after a quick read up on here .

more money saved for part worns and maccy d's innit .

Post Sat Apr 09, 2016 12:10 am

magpie wrote:
tomson wrote:An M20 belt job isn't paying anybody's mortgage down here magpie.

I've forgotten how many of these I've done so end of comments from me on this, good night
i'd rather do it myself after a quick read up on here .

more money saved for part worns and maccy d's innit .

Obvs, but not everybody is in the same position

Post Sat Apr 09, 2016 12:41 am

tomson wrote:
bss325i wrote:
tomson wrote: £80 will not buy you f**k all towards this Barry at list prices!
I have bought all of the above more times than i care to remember at that price.

Genuine BMW On the other hand.....
Ok fair enough, I've just looked at ECP website and apart from the contitech belt the rest is scrap bands that I personally wouldn't touch...

Contitech and Dayco belts are fine. Circlo water pumps...

fitted more than i care to remember, the quality is fine and they last.

Post Sat Apr 09, 2016 12:04 pm

well if you are going to pay that price, ask for a list of parts he is going to change first and come back to us

Post Sat Apr 09, 2016 12:44 pm

bss325i wrote:Cam belt kit, fan and PAS belts, water pump and 5ltr of coolant from ECP is about £80.

3 hours labour is plenty.

Thanks Barry, I'm about to start pricing up to get my project finished, you just saved me lots of time pricing up that that particular job

Post Sat Apr 09, 2016 5:03 pm

noj66 wrote:He said it's advisable to to check and adjust the valve guides (I think that's what he said,i'm a chef and haven't got a Scooby do about mechanics!)

I suspect he probably meant or said valve clearances (i.e., adjust the rockers). Factor in a new rocker cover gasket for that job.

Post Sat Apr 09, 2016 10:54 pm

Speedtouch wrote:
noj66 wrote:He said it's advisable to to check and adjust the valve guides (I think that's what he said,i'm a chef and haven't got a Scooby do about mechanics!)
I suspect he probably meant or said valve clearances (i.e., adjust the rockers). Factor in a new rocker cover gasket for that job.

And the four rubber blind plugs that sit in the head at the ends of the rocker shafts.

Post Sat Apr 09, 2016 11:27 pm

15 quid for a contitech belt, 20 quid for a INA or LUK tensioner. PAS and alternator belts £25 quid the pair. Camshaft oil seal £13. Three hours labour.

£200 in total is plenty, £240 with a water pump.