Hi all, haven't been here for a while, anyway, straight to the point, have my 2008 150mjet sport from new, did about 85k in the first 3-4yrs (2011?) and had the cam belt changed. Changed job in 2011 and only do around 4-5k miles a year, current mileage of the car is 105k, although the belt not due to change again by mileage but it is due by time as it was 6yrs ago since the last change....
Anyway, as you may aware our Brave doesn't worth much and in my case, I'll be lucky if I can get 1.5k for it, a belt change + service will easily cost me 600 pounds plus, what would you do if you were in my position, leave it and hope for the best? or change it and keep the car as long as it last?

Might only be worth £1500, but would be worth a lot less if it snaps, if it was me I'd get it done, either for my own piece of mind or use as a selling point if I was getting rid, I've bought cars unsure of whether it's been done & always been a bit paranoid that it fails,

Ps not sure on mjet but my Tjet was £250 for the cambelt + water pump fitted (nearly £800 all in for that, clutch & a couple of other bits

I'd get it done personally. The cars value is of no consequence really as it's obviously not let you down and a new car will cost you a hell of a lot more. Keep it and look after it

I just had the same dilemma with our Seat which is 14 years old but still in A! condtion in the main.

The belt and water pump cost 275 to change all in. The garage I use is a local one whom I trust. I was told the belt had slipped two teeth out of position......

Anyway the car no longer pinks, uses less fuel and goes better and quieter. I think it was a good decision. A full service at a decent garage will not add more than about another £125 so for another year it still seems worth it to me.

Get it done [emoji106] the cost to change cars would be alot more and unless you buy new might have to pay out for servicing on your new car also.

STILO NEWBIE said:

Hi all, haven't been here for a while, anyway, straight to the point, have my 2008 150mjet sport from new, did about 85k in the first 3-4yrs (2011?) and had the cam belt changed. Changed job in 2011 and only do around 4-5k miles a year, current mileage of the car is 105k, although the belt not due to change again by mileage but it is due by time as it was 6yrs ago since the last change....
Anyway, as you may aware our Brave doesn't worth much and in my case, I'll be lucky if I can get 1.5k for it, a belt change + service will easily cost me 600 pounds plus, what would you do if you were in my position, leave it and hope for the best? or change it and keep the car as long as it last?

Click to expand...

where are you based - the figures you quote seem to point at LONDON labour rates..

car value = £1500 now,
or £150 if the belt fails.. looks fairly clearcut to me.

when saying a "service" - is that brakes AND TYRES..

Do it.
At least you can plan the expenditure and when the car is off the road. If you keep it and it breaks it could be at a most inconvenient time and possible extra expense such as recovery, time off work etc. If you change cars, either before or after a belt failure it will cost more and you could have a major failure on that anyway.
Only exceptions ae if you intend changing the car anyway or know that there are other major issues looming.
There are generally 3 ways to run a car:
Regular replacement with waranty cover (or personal lease these days)
Look after new or known good car and keep it many years
Buy an old very cheap car and do the minimum maintence until somthinng expsive goes then scrap it. (really needs accces to alternative transport for when it lets you down).
Personally I buy a slightly older, well looked after example of a car and look after it for many years. Yes there can be bumps in the costs, but nothing like paying £200 pm on a PCP for ever. Of course it helps if you can do minor stuff your self and have great support like the Fiat Forum.

Robert G8RPI.

Aye, sound advice given. Belts deteriorate with age, not just the mileage. Just to give you piece of mind & check the belts condition. Get in there with a torch & feel handle the belt for ragged/frayed bits. If you find this get it done pronto, even if you don't you may have bought yourself some time, but get it done along with the water pump & other things.

Hi, thank you for the advises, reasons I was hesitated to get the cam belt done was I wanted a new car, therefore don't want to spending any money on it. Took the car for a 400 miles round trip a few weeks ago changed my mind a bit, you know what, the car isn't too bad, it has enough power to have some fun and still returning around 50mpg on motorway run.
Anyway, yeah, I decided to get he belt change and keep it for at least another couple years, got a quote of £650 for the following works, what do you think?
1/ cam belt + water pump.
2/ replace rear shock absorbers.
3/ replace rear brake discs & pads (parts supplied by me)
4/ MOT & services (just oil and filter change)

varesecrazy said:

where are you based - the figures you quote seem to point at LONDON labour rates..

car value = £1500 now,
or £150 if the belt fails.. looks fairly clearcut to me.

when saying a "service" - is that brakes AND TYRES..

Click to expand...

Based in Bournemouth and yes, everything down here is as if not more expensive than London!!