Cam Belt Change , Heart , or Head ?
Discussion
To sum up :
Non franchise Mazda "specialist " around £110 , likely non OEM parts , and tensioner and incidentals not included .
Mazda main dealer workshop £360 all OEM, all in .
Now the back story, the car is at approx. 47k , and is 13 years old , as I understand , it is miles or 5 years , so the car should be on its second belt already .
I used to use the non franchise specialist for all servicing etc and felt ok with them . Then I had a ABS warning on the display , not being sure on how to diagnose , went to the “specialist “ for diagnosis .
I was charged £40 for the diagnosis , front N/S ABS sensor failed , the diagnosis ,which took about 3 minutes ,was carried using a short piece of wire to link 2 terminals on the ABS diagnosis socket and read the Morse code on the ABS warning light ( I googled it later to find out how simple it was to diagnose ABS problems ) . Ok fine I thought , booked the car in straight away for a new sensor to be fitted . job done , came to the final reckoning and the diagnosis fee was not waived , so £40 was added to the final bill .Which incidentally quite steep at around £300 considering I did the same job later on the other side with a sensor from Eurocarparts , the ABS sensor cost less than £60.
For that I feel a touch ripped off ,and am reluctant to return , ever , to the “specialist “ .
So "Heart or head ?"
O, and I don’t want attempt it myself, my back is not up to another day leaning in under the bonnet , even though I did change a cam belt on Berlingo van a while ago.
I understand the engine is a "non Interference" should the belt snap , but I would rather not wait for that
Non franchise Mazda "specialist " around £110 , likely non OEM parts , and tensioner and incidentals not included .
Mazda main dealer workshop £360 all OEM, all in .
Now the back story, the car is at approx. 47k , and is 13 years old , as I understand , it is miles or 5 years , so the car should be on its second belt already .
I used to use the non franchise specialist for all servicing etc and felt ok with them . Then I had a ABS warning on the display , not being sure on how to diagnose , went to the “specialist “ for diagnosis .
I was charged £40 for the diagnosis , front N/S ABS sensor failed , the diagnosis ,which took about 3 minutes ,was carried using a short piece of wire to link 2 terminals on the ABS diagnosis socket and read the Morse code on the ABS warning light ( I googled it later to find out how simple it was to diagnose ABS problems ) . Ok fine I thought , booked the car in straight away for a new sensor to be fitted . job done , came to the final reckoning and the diagnosis fee was not waived , so £40 was added to the final bill .Which incidentally quite steep at around £300 considering I did the same job later on the other side with a sensor from Eurocarparts , the ABS sensor cost less than £60.
For that I feel a touch ripped off ,and am reluctant to return , ever , to the “specialist “ .
So "Heart or head ?"
O, and I don’t want attempt it myself, my back is not up to another day leaning in under the bonnet , even though I did change a cam belt on Berlingo van a while ago.
I understand the engine is a "non Interference" should the belt snap , but I would rather not wait for that
Completely unrelated but I picked up my 1st MX5 in February. It is pretty much the same age as yours but 100k miles, so in theory is nearing the end of its 2nd belt life (no record of a change but I assume it has been done). £360 quote at a main dealer? £110 at an indy including the belt (about £60). Thats AMAZING! 
. I've just come from a Subaru, for which I was quoted £880 at a main dealer and £400 at my choice indy for the same job.
Makes me love the wee MX5 even more, everything about it is cheap as chips.
Have you considered taking it to a non-specialist indy for a quote? Most will use reputable OE parts, which in my eyes pretty much match the genuine stuff in all but a few rare cases.
. I've just come from a Subaru, for which I was quoted £880 at a main dealer and £400 at my choice indy for the same job.Makes me love the wee MX5 even more, everything about it is cheap as chips.
Have you considered taking it to a non-specialist indy for a quote? Most will use reputable OE parts, which in my eyes pretty much match the genuine stuff in all but a few rare cases.
Edited by caelite on Monday 29th May 16:47
I wouldn't worry to much about the timing belt its a non interference engine but if you are make sure the pulleys are changed along with the belt. Nut its a pretty simple job that even a diyer can do tbh. Loads of guides online to how to replace it. Even if you do mess the timing up no damage just redo the job.
How long did it take you to change the sensor?
£300 would suggest £60 for sensor and 3 hours labour at £80 an hour.
If it was a 1 hour job, then yes, very cheeky, walk away and don't come back. If it toook you all day then maybe the price isn't too bad.
£40 for the diagnosis is a bit of a rip off though, thought that was a main dealer trick!
TBH the cambelt isn't difficult and it doesn't need to go to a specialist, any competent mechanic should be able to do it..
£300 would suggest £60 for sensor and 3 hours labour at £80 an hour.
If it was a 1 hour job, then yes, very cheeky, walk away and don't come back. If it toook you all day then maybe the price isn't too bad.
£40 for the diagnosis is a bit of a rip off though, thought that was a main dealer trick!
TBH the cambelt isn't difficult and it doesn't need to go to a specialist, any competent mechanic should be able to do it..
drgoatboy said:
How long did it take you to change the sensor?
£300 would suggest £60 for sensor and 3 hours labour at £80 an hour.
If it was a 1 hour job, then yes, very cheeky, walk away and don't come back. If it toook you all day then maybe the price isn't too bad.
£40 for the diagnosis is a bit of a rip off though, thought that was a main dealer trick!
TBH the cambelt isn't difficult and it doesn't need to go to a specialist, any competent mechanic should be able to do it..
The sensor fitted was OEM ,he said ! Over £150, £300 would suggest £60 for sensor and 3 hours labour at £80 an hour.
If it was a 1 hour job, then yes, very cheeky, walk away and don't come back. If it toook you all day then maybe the price isn't too bad.
£40 for the diagnosis is a bit of a rip off though, thought that was a main dealer trick!
TBH the cambelt isn't difficult and it doesn't need to go to a specialist, any competent mechanic should be able to do it..
With coffee breaks,and a visit to screwfix to get tap and die set ,reviewing how to on youtube,took me most of day, next time round ,I think it would only take me a couple of hours ,so for an expert,perhaps an hour
Dealer menu price,quotes 1.7 hrs for cambelt
Edited by MXRod on Tuesday 30th May 13:22
MXRod said:
The sensor fitted was OEM ,he said ! Over £150,
With coffee breaks,and a visit to screwfix to get tap and die set ,reviewing how to on youtube,took me most of day, next time round ,I think it would only take me a couple of hours ,so for an expert,perhaps an hour
Dealer menu price,quotes 1.7 hrs for cambelt
Doesn't sound like you were crazy ripped off then for the ABS sensor assuming it was "OEM". £150 for a sensor then £150 for a couple of hours labour assuming it didn't go very smoothly, sounds about going rate really.With coffee breaks,and a visit to screwfix to get tap and die set ,reviewing how to on youtube,took me most of day, next time round ,I think it would only take me a couple of hours ,so for an expert,perhaps an hour
Dealer menu price,quotes 1.7 hrs for cambelt
Edited by MXRod on Tuesday 30th May 13:22
Guess its down to how much it annoys you that they did take the piss with the diagnosis fee....
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