Just got a Quote to Overhaul my Mk1

I bought Hubert the other week, he's an all original mk1 cabby 1.8 with 53,000 miles and one previous owner from new. Today I took him to VolksAutos in Sutton to have a good look over!

None of it sounded that urgent, but I want to keep Hubert in tip top condition So as a total noob, I guess I'm looking for any advice or tips… do these prices sound fair and which ones do you think I should go for?

Forgive me if the words don't sound exactly right, I wrote it down as he was telling me on the phone! All prices include labour and vat.

replace wax flap (thingy that opens / closes to let the car start / stop quickly as you turn the key)
total: £126.03 incl vat
….
genuine new exhaust:  £790 incl. vat
or
non genuine new exhaust:  £327 incl. vat
….
breather hose: £33.34 incl vat
….
£74 incl vat
replace cam cover gasket

Total: £1023 with genuine exhaust
or
Total: £560 with non genuine exhaust


Do these prices sound ok? Does anyone know if I should go for a genuine VW exhaust or the non genuine one?

Would deeply welcome and appreciate any advice. Thanks!

Personally I wouldn't be spending nearly £800 on a mild steel exhaust.

abfmk1 said

Personally I wouldn't be spending nearly £800 on a mild steel exhaust.

+1. Unless you want to build a show car and maybe not even then

U can get a custom made stainless exhaust from manifold back for £300 from Longlife, made to measure with your choice if tailpipe and sound.

So for me I would get that in original spec in stainless for long lasting for cheaper !!

£800 for an exhaust ?? I would want a car thrown in free with the exhaust ;-)

Massbad69 said

£800 for an exhaust ?? I would want a car thrown in free with the exhaust ;-)

We all know the Jocks reputation for being tight though Chris

That's just a rumour Smudgie…….. Sorry need to go and wind up my radio.

think someones lifting ya leg fella, i got my stainless which isnt loud for £250, Cam/rocker cover gasket is available for around a tenner and takes around half hour to fit.

Im sure if theres any fellow dubbers around your area they would be willing to help with the overhaul if you buy the beers
 

Frankly Matt, either of the totals look to be about twice the cost you should be paying and about four times the cost of doing it yourself!

Sounds expensive. These are diy jobs. I think kwik-fit would be cheaper for the exhaust

Thanks for the input guys… I didn't realise these prices were that expensive for what one should be paying for the same thing.

" got my stainless which isnt loud for £250"

Ok so £327 doesn't sound too bad then right?

PeteB said

Frankly Matt, either of the totals look to be about twice the cost you should be paying and about four times the cost of doing it yourself!

Should the exhaust be more like £160 including labour & vat?

Thanks everyone for the advice, just trying to clarify so I don't pay too much over the odds!!

£327 is for mild steel exhaust and not a stainless one which will last a lot longer and look better.

Massbad69 said

£327 is for mild steel exhaust and not a stainless one which will last a lot longer and look better.

Do you mean the mild steel is better than the stainless one or the stainless one is better than the mild steel one?

In all honesty, you'd be better off spending £20 on a manual and doing the breather and cam cover gasket yourself, these jobs are a few minutes work each. Then take the above advice and get a stainless exhaust made up which will last for 10 times longer than a mild steel exhaust.

Those prices are extortionate.    

Melteddrummer said

get a stainless exhaust made up which will last for 10 times longer than a mild steel exhaust.

Those prices are extortionate.    

Thanks, but I haven't actually said whether it's a stainless exhaust or not - I'll call him and check tomorrow! If it is stainless, does that mean the price £327 including labour & vat is worth it?

Google Longlife for your nearest branch and give them a call for a price.

I know 3 guys now with their stainless exhausts and they are all delighted with their service and quality of work.

you need to know what they are quoting for system wise as well as what its made from ??

Is it a full system incl manifold ??

Do the other jobs yourself like the others are saying, I'm hopeless but did the rocker cover gasket easily in an hour.

Don't go to VW unless you have more money than sense, simple as that.
You can find just about anything for a Mk1 for a lot less than half the price.

There's enough Companies out there and people both Pro's and Hobbyists to do the work. You've just got to put a bit of time and effect into finding them.

If you want a laugh.
Mine went in last week to have the front bumper painted, see my post (Not Again).
Anyhow, while it was in I casually asked what they would charge for an Oil & Filter change?
(the car is due one) Also VW here are doing a special advert at the moment, discounting the servicing costs of all VW's over the age of 8!

The Guy looked it up on the PC and said, "That's no problem Sir, it will be around 150 Euros plus Tax.
So that's about 150 GBP!  

I just walked away laughing.    

defo go for stainless, lifetime guarentee for a start but do shop around, its worth it in the end

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-GOLF-MK1-CABRIOLET-1-8-GTi-SCIROCCO-1-3-1-6-STAINLESS-STEEL-EXHAUST-SYSTEM-/390512127533?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Model%3AGolf|Plat_Gen%3AMK+I&hash=item5aec562e2d

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rocker-Cover-Gasket-VW-Golf-Mk3-III-1-6-8v-10-1994-on-NEW-/170789694483?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item27c3dbec13
although you would need studs swapping over for the later MK3 which is loads better than the cork one which can be had for from £3.00 upwards.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-GOLF-MK1-CABRIOLET-MK2-1-6-1-8-BREATHER-HOSE-C998-/190712952277?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2c6760b5d5
breather hose £9.00 easy job.

So not including the exhaust fitting and the wax stat..
less than £250.00

Thanks everyone, so I understand everyone is saying the price is too high. Can anyone suggest a garage or person I *should* take it to?

matt9b said

Thanks everyone, so I understand everyone is saying the price is too high. Can anyone suggest a garage or person I *should* take it to?

Wherever you take it to Matt won't be cheap as the going rate for labour these days is about £70+ per hour. I would seriously consider doing most of those jobs yourself if it all possible or offering beer and cash to a local fellow dubber in the know