Timing Belts on 14 year old car

Watkins247 · 31st July 2016, 16:12

Can't decide if to get timing belts done or get rid of car.

Quote for service with cam belts, also two rear tyres needed for MOT around £1200.

Car is a 2002 ZT 160+ V6 saloon, according to a site I've just checked up on the only one of this model still on the road.

Car has under 48,000 miles, bought new and so only owner.

Difficult choice when car worth £1000 or less.

What would you do? Is car likely to become a classic in a few years? Will values increase?

chris75 · 31st July 2016, 16:29

Firstly , I would get more quotes for the work . The one you have is very high .
I think there are mobile folk on this forum who will travel to you ; anyone out there ?
Secondly , it is worth keeping . These cars can sell as bangers for less than £500 , or may sell at a classic auction or dealer for £2500 . I recently saw just that in Classic Car Weekly . Yours sounds like a nice one . Many sources accept that a modern classic starts at 15 years old ; my 2001 model has been accepted for entry into an Andrew Greenwood Classic Shows show this September

It is up to us where we sell them and for how much ; when the rough unmaintained bangers are gone , the prices will rise

Greeners · 31st July 2016, 16:33

Try Andy Willi, He's near Doncaster, and I think trikey is close by as well

marinabrian · 31st July 2016, 17:01

Trikey is in New Holland, however I think his workshop is near Louth

Failing that, even with a trip up to see Turbo Dave in Fencehouses Tyne and Wear, the whole job would be around half what you've been quoted, and a chance to visit the Beamish open air museum

Brian

roverbarmy · 31st July 2016, 17:07

Good advice from the others as above.

You are far better using someone known to the forum as they usually know these cars inside out. Local garages often lack the specific model knowledge and end up making the job harder than it is.

MSS · 31st July 2016, 17:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Watkins247

Can't decide if to get timing belts done or get rid of car.

Quote for service with cam belts, also two rear tyres needed for MOT around £1200.

Car is a 2002 ZT 160+ V6 saloon, according to a site I've just checked up on the only one of this model still on the road.

Car has under 48,000 miles, bought new and so only owner.

Difficult choice when car worth £1000 or less.

What would you do? Is car likely to become a classic in a few years? Will values increase?

If you are intending to give up owning/driving a car - no.

Otherwise - yes.

Watkins247 · 31st July 2016, 18:03

The £1200 is for whole lot including tyres, not sure what cam belts would be on there own but last time was £680, the person I use knows these engines very well as use to race Metro 6R4s, they usually overquote hence if anything unexpected found can probably do it in same price and don't have to chase me to get go ahead to do work.

From what Chris 75 says looks like prices may have bottomed out, big bill but then 7 years with little cost and possibly a car that will be worth more then than now.

aguy · 31st July 2016, 18:36

You can get belts, tensioners and waterpump from Mat at DMGRS or there are other suppliers. Should be less than £170 then say around £400 max for fitting. Add around 130 for two reasonable tyres fitted and you are looking at a maximum £700.
You might even do it quite a bit cheaper. The guy who fitted my belts and w/p charged £300 fitting only which would make it as Brian says, 'half the price of your quote'.

championdaddy · 31st July 2016, 18:36

Ok.........I would get the belts done if you love the car........if you don't...then don't.

This is coming from someone who didn't get the belts done and sold the car cheap......only to utterly regret that decision. !!

Call some of the traders on here...the quotes will be FAR less !!

Mike Noc · 31st July 2016, 18:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Watkins247

From what Chris 75 says looks like prices may have bottomed out, big bill but then 7 years with little cost and possibly a car that will be worth more then than now.

Doesn't matter what the car is worth on the open market unless you are selling it. It's what the car is worth to you that is important.

31st July 2016, 16:12	#1
Watkins247 Newbie MG ZT Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Owston Ferry Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Timing Belts on 14 year old car Can't decide if to get timing belts done or get rid of car. Quote for service with cam belts, also two rear tyres needed for MOT around £1200. Car is a 2002 ZT 160+ V6 saloon, according to a site I've just checked up on the only one of this model still on the road. Car has under 48,000 miles, bought new and so only owner. Difficult choice when car worth £1000 or less. What would you do? Is car likely to become a classic in a few years? Will values increase?

31st July 2016, 16:29	#2
chris75 same car since 2005 2001 Rover 75 2.0 v6 Connoisseur Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ellesmere Port , Cheshire Posts: 3,818 Thanks: 379 Thanked 549 Times in 466 Posts	Firstly , I would get more quotes for the work . The one you have is very high . I think there are mobile folk on this forum who will travel to you ; anyone out there ? Secondly , it is worth keeping . These cars can sell as bangers for less than £500 , or may sell at a classic auction or dealer for £2500 . I recently saw just that in Classic Car Weekly . Yours sounds like a nice one . Many sources accept that a modern classic starts at 15 years old ; my 2001 model has been accepted for entry into an Andrew Greenwood Classic Shows show this September It is up to us where we sell them and for how much ; when the rough unmaintained bangers are gone , the prices will rise __________________ Who said it was simples ?

31st July 2016, 16:33	#3
Greeners Moderator MG-ZTT Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ware, Herts Posts: 19,798 Thanks: 161 Thanked 1,249 Times in 1,036 Posts	Try Andy Willi, He's near Doncaster, and I think trikey is close by as well __________________ *David* Impecunity is the mother of ingenuity Useful how to's for common problems Car Of The Month Jan 2014 [SatNav Power Down] [Coolant Level] [SatNav Repair] [Diesel Non Starting] [Paint Codes] [Rear Light Seals] [Reversing Light Switch] [Bleeding Brakes][Sunroof Drain] [Early ZT's][Instrument Pack Diagnostics][ATC Diagnostics]

31st July 2016, 17:07	#5
roverbarmy This is my second home Roverless + 1.7D Sportage Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: East Norfolk Posts: 7,088 Thanks: 729 Thanked 2,021 Times in 1,449 Posts	Good advice from the others as above. You are far better using someone known to the forum as they usually know these cars inside out. Local garages often lack the specific model knowledge and end up making the job harder than it is. __________________ Oil in my veins!

31st July 2016, 18:03	#7
Watkins247 Newbie MG ZT Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Owston Ferry Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The £1200 is for whole lot including tyres, not sure what cam belts would be on there own but last time was £680, the person I use knows these engines very well as use to race Metro 6R4s, they usually overquote hence if anything unexpected found can probably do it in same price and don't have to chase me to get go ahead to do work. From what Chris 75 says looks like prices may have bottomed out, big bill but then 7 years with little cost and possibly a car that will be worth more then than now. Last edited by Watkins247; 31st July 2016 at 18:21..

31st July 2016, 17:01	#4
marinabrian MG ZT Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne Posts: 20,151 Thanks: 3,565 Thanked 10,837 Times in 5,718 Posts	Trikey is in New Holland, however I think his workshop is near Louth Failing that, even with a trip up to see Turbo Dave in Fencehouses Tyne and Wear, the whole job would be around half what you've been quoted, and a chance to visit the Beamish open air museum Brian

31st July 2016, 18:36	#8
aguy I really should get out more....... Rover 75 Connoisseur SE 2.5 V6 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: CLEETHORPES Posts: 2,108 Thanks: 833 Thanked 748 Times in 511 Posts	You can get belts, tensioners and waterpump from Mat at DMGRS or there are other suppliers. Should be less than £170 then say around £400 max for fitting. Add around 130 for two reasonable tyres fitted and you are looking at a maximum £700. You might even do it quite a bit cheaper. The guy who fitted my belts and w/p charged £300 fitting only which would make it as Brian says, 'half the price of your quote'. __________________ HARRY.

31st July 2016, 18:36	#9
championdaddy This is my second home Mg Zt 190 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: The FIRST Garden City....Letchworth. Posts: 6,778 Thanks: 1,243 Thanked 920 Times in 698 Posts	Ok.........I would get the belts done if you love the car........if you don't...then don't. This is coming from someone who didn't get the belts done and sold the car cheap......only to utterly regret that decision. !! Call some of the traders on here...the quotes will be FAR less !!