When does the cambelt need to be changed?

[Baby]

Hi All,
Im a newbie to Beetles and im hoping to buy one in the next few weeks. I have seen a 2.0 I like that has done 60,000 miles should she have had her cam belt changed yet? If not when do you recommend having it done?
Thanx for your time
Tanya xxxx

[Shamrockez]

It should have been changed at the 60k service or when it was 4yrs old, so if it hasn't been done, then you should haggle around £200 off the price to get it done asap.

[Baby]

Originally Posted by Shamrockez

It should have been changed at the 60k service or when it was 4yrs old, so if it hasn't been done, then you should haggle around £200 off the price to get it done asap.

Thanx so much for getting back to me. I see your in Bristol so not far from me, I'm a Bristol Girl myself but moved to somerset as housing was cheaper here. The Bug is supposed to be having a service tomorrow (Its actually in Bristol aswell), but im a bit concerned as it only has 3 months MOT on it and she isnt putting a new one on. Shes on a Y plate.
Tanya xxxx

[Shamrockez]

Cool where abouts in Somerset are you? My boyfriend Steve lives near Taunton and we'll be buying a house down in that sort of area later in the year.

We have loads of meets in the South West

They don't normally fail MOTs on anything bad - not that I know of anyway. If they do it's normally just things like worn tyres.

[Baby]

Originally Posted by Shamrockez

Cool where abouts in Somerset are you? My boyfriend Steve lives near Taunton and we'll be buying a house down in that sort of area later in the year.

We have loads of meets in the South West

They don't normally fail MOTs on anything bad - not that I know of anyway. If they do it's normally just things like worn tyres.

I Live In Bridgwater so only 10 mins from Taunton! Id love to go to a meet when I get my Girlie, I used to belong to a mini club and used to love the mini runs and shows etc. Be nice to get back into it all!

Tanya xxx

[Blugg]

Be a good idea to change the water thingy too at the same time

[Jono]

i thought it was 5 years or 60,000 miles? and yup, get water pump changed at same time

J

[Jono]

mine is a y reg, so i got it done last year, was on 50,000 miles, but built in 2001, so 2006 meant cambelt time!

J

[Shamrockez]

Originally Posted by Pheobe

I Live In Bridgwater so only 10 mins from Taunton! Id love to go to a meet when I get my Girlie, I used to belong to a mini club and used to love the mini runs and shows etc. Be nice to get back into it all!

Tanya xxx

Cool Steve lives in a village between Bridgy and Taunton. We'll probably end up buying somewhere near Bridgwater cos the prices are so much better!

Ace - the VW meets and shows are very much like the Mini ones. Graham on here owned an old Mini till not long ago too.

[yellowbug]

Didn't vw change it to every 3 years due to them snapping had ours done at 40 something.
Change the water pump too, but make sure it has a metal impeller not plastic as they suck

[Delenn]

I just had mine done.

My 1.6 was 47K and 5 years. VW have changed their policy and now say every 4 years (I heard that something was happening for them to change the recommendation)
Best get the water pump done too.

[Neil]

I had mine done at 60K (It was 6 years old), make sure you get the water pump changed at the same time.

I never had my water pump changed and it went on me 5k later

You live and learn, just thankfull that the VW engine is strong as i drove 20 mile with no water pump

[Doodlebug]

Yeah i had mine changed on both bugs at 60k miles, cost me about £350 from the dealers.

[Baby]

Thanx for all your help guys, I spoke to the person selling the car who said she took it in for a service yesterday. She said she was told there is no need for a cambelt change, so looks like I wont be able to knock her down at all. Think I have to go on with my search!!! Its frustrating when you have the money ready but cant find what your looking for! If I had no pennies you could guarantee there would be loads around!!!!

Tanya xx

[Delenn]

That's rubbish Phoebe. From what I heard they changed it to 4 years are they were going without warning even if they looked OK. The current owner should be getting it down by now regardless!

[Shamrockez]

Yeah it should be done! Especially if it's never been done before. She's probably just saying that

[Delenn]

Also unless she gets a clueless shopper she won't get a buyer unless she gets it done or drops the price to allow for the expense of the new owner getting it done themselves

[Baby]

Its on Ebay and hasnt met the reserve, I know the reaserve is set at £5000 as we called her the other day. But im not keen on paying that much for a car with three months MOT and no cam belt change.

Tanya xxxxx

[Delenn]

I'd steer clear then I'm afraid. You will get the car you want someday...