HI guys,

I have to change some stuff on my Golf 4 2.0 and have been quoted the following prices

Cambelt = R421(VW) and R285(GW)
Cambelt Tensioner = R1051(VW) and R695(GW)
Waterpump = R1247(VW) and R820(GW)

There is about R900 difference between the VW and the Goldwagen parts with the GW parts being cheaper.

My question is how good is the quality of the goldwagen parts vs the dealership and has there been any issues that was experienced first hand. All responses are apprecaited. Thanks in advance

Nishan

I've had no issue with GW parts in the past, except one thing. Make sure the GW waterpump has a metal impeller. I bought the one with the plastic impeller, it only lasted about 3 months.
Goodluck with the Cambelt change.

Thanks Ruan,

I am aware of the metal impeller on the waterpump and specifically asked for that particular one, I am actually a bit sceptical doing the cambelt change though. I have looked at the vW Vortex site and there is a lot of info available there.

Nishan

Life937 wrote:Thanks Ruan,

I am aware of the metal impeller on the waterpump and specifically asked for that particular one, I am actually a bit sceptical doing the cambelt change though. I have looked at the vW Vortex site and there is a lot of info available there.

Nishan

No, Its not difficult, Its just long-assed hard work. The worst part is to remove the bottom ancillary pulley to get those horrid plastic covers off.

BTW, VORTEX DIY's FTW!!!!

When it comes to tensioners, waterpumps etc, i prefer the VW stuff from the dealer.

I know that the waterpumps from GW don't last on the mk4's. It has the metal impellar but it leaks then from the welsh plug. I experienced this on my previous GTI and my mech has had a good few comebacks with the same problem.

Thanks JTM

Litens is OEM tensioner and gates/continental oem belt. Which they do stock - water pump dont know but they stock the Meyele range with metal impeller.

I wouldn't touch their WAG branded products (I had a dizzy break after having it for a month, I had one of their carbs and it was broken out of the box). I may just be unlucky and WAG products are good, but IMO its not worth the risk on critical components. If you buy german brands like Topran, Febi etc from GW then you will be better off. As JTM says: I would get OEM cambelt and tensioner... for added peace of mind

Then VW Stealership it is since I would rather spend the extra R900 and get part that will last, thanks

Life937 wrote:Then VW Stealership it is since I would rather spend the extra R900 and get part that will last, thanks

These days I pretty much always spend the extra money and get from the agents.

You won't believe how much crap I've had with Goldwagen stuff. Engine seals that leak from day 1, waterpumps that don't fit let alone last, oil pumps with zero pressure, dizzy's with dead hall generators, etc.

Only thing I buy there these days are the WAG CV's, because they're so weak, and I kinda need weak CV's.

Oh, and I bought a set of MK1 front indicators there, but I suspect nobody can really cock that up, so I should be fine.

BlueBlob wrote:Oh, and I bought a set of MK1 front indicators there, but I suspect nobody can really cock that up, so I should be fine.

until they start leaking

SHAUN wrote:

BlueBlob wrote:Oh, and I bought a set of MK1 front indicators there, but I suspect nobody can really cock that up, so I should be fine.

until they start leaking

Heh. Not a problem on my car. There's no door rubbers, grommets, anything, so when it rains the car gets covered up.

I would go would dealership parts. although the GW parts are cheaper they inferior quality. so that means that when the parts give up (which is generally sooner than later) the cost doubles cos you have to buy the part again (which you then realise that you should have bought it from the dealership) and the labour cost doubles (unless you do it yourself).

so the 900 bucks you save now you probably are going to spend more later!!

learnt the hardway. replaced the engine mounting (near the cambelt). broke, yes broke in 7 days. then bought the one from the agents. had to pay the mechanic 2 x the labour cost.

Later
Myen

Thanks for all the comments guys, I have purchased the stealersip parts. I would rather spend that extra now and have them last longer than have to replace them again.

MyCti wrote:learnt the hardway. replaced the engine mounting (near the cambelt). broke, yes broke in 7 days.

Forgot about that one. Their mounting is known as a weak point. When I sent my mounts to Andre's Rubber Products in CapeTown to get them made solid, he specifically told me to rather buy from the agents because the GW part will fail.

I couldn't find one in time, so sent a GW one down. You must see the metal he had to weld in there to make it strong.

bought a few stuff from GW and touch wood no problems.There is a GW close to my work in Harry st,and a few time's now I have seen a certain stealership's caddy pick up,collecting,yes collecting parts from GW

Wen i workd 4 vw. And customer wantd car fixd same day. And they neva had parts, they wud charge vw prices and use wag parts. And customer is non the wiser. So ya. I dunno.

1 engine mount 4rm gw broke and i bought another, and they took the broken 1 back, and a week later phoned me, saying it wasnt broken by me, but failed, thus giving me a refund.. So ja. I dunno.

Timing belt (gates)R200 from alert
Waterpump (as vw has plastic impellor i bought same but good make) R400 and stil good after 50000km (motorpart R250? )

And the tensioner?if not in bad nick why would u change it?after 200000km i would but after 100000km why if i may ask?

Car is currently on 180000km and since I am changing the cambelt and the waterpump, the tensioner seems logical since it forms part of the same assembly.

I changed water pump on my mk 4 with a GW part after someone saying to me that they commonly fail on the mk4's and might as well as I was doing the cam belt.

It was a Mahle part and has been fine for the last 180 000km ?

heard from a good source that head gaskets GW sell are the same as OEM ones,

I can tell you that alot of thier parts come from the same factories that make the parts you will buy at the stealership, alot, they also stock the cheap knock off the guys who don't want to spend the extra few bucks... SO make sure you always ask for the good part not the fong kong one

Ive been buying parts from GW for the past 8 years for my veedubs and the only part ive had that fails is balljoints, but thats understandable with how low my car is, other than that, no complaints.

Well,im not sure about engine part but dont buy electric part from GW.My MAF gave up so i rushed to GW to get one.That s when my headache started and lasted until i returned it to them.Fortunately it was warranted so i got my refund and headed back to vw.

boet if you want a maf for golf 4 just pm me they last and have 12months garentee.and only R1850.also canget lamda for g4