Genuine belts - or not?

[Owyerbin]

Hi all

Am picking up my 'new' car tomorrow - well new to me that is - it's a 2008 v70 D5 SE Sport with steptronic box and a few other toys and 108 k miles. I know it is going to need the timing belt doing asap (i.e now!). I was planning on doing the aux belt as well (as well as tensioners etc) and probably the water pump whilst it's all out.

Question I have is 'genuine or parts or not' i.e timing belt kit is £121 from main agent (eurocarparts is £138 all in) or £75 full kit from local (large) motorfactors (Car Spares Sparkhill in Birmingha) who supply all of the surrounding garages and will do me 'trade'. The aux belt and water pump are priced with a similar differential.

Is there any such thing as a 'genuine' belt/kit as I suspect Volvo don't make their own? Or am I way off?

Would be really interested in people's thoughts on this. I'm going to keep the car for a while (still got my current 1999 V70 and it's still going like a trooper) and my heart is saying 'genuine' - but everything I've had from my local has been good.

Cheers all

Andy

[NigeS]

I'd go genuine, price different is only half a tank full of fuel and it'll give you piece of mind.

[Owyerbin]

agreed and I probably will do all Volvo stuff - I think the question that is intriguing me is the 'genuine' part of the Volvo kit - as I'm sure Volvo don't or won't make the belts and is there really any difference in spec?

Be interested in views

Andy

[Rufe]

Or... get the Volvo genuine Timing belt kit from us at FRF Volvo In Swansea and pay 30% less than your quoted price, bringing it down to more or less the same price as non-genuine.

If you are interested please call us on either of our direct parts telephone numbers: 01792 790066 or 01792 784272. You must quote discount code 'C3' when calling so we know you are a Volvo Owners Club user to get this discount.

When calling please have your registration number to hand so we can identify the correct part number required.

All the best,

Simon

[GRN Motors]

Hi,

We always advise to use genuine parts if possible.

Where abouts in Birmingham are you based?

[Owyerbin]

Hi there

Hall Green - South Birmingham. I'm still headed towards genuine, just wondering what 'genuine' means? I appreciate supplied/boxed Volvo - but is the stuff inside the box made by Volvo? which in the case of belts etc, then I suspect not. Probably won't really ever get an answer, just 'curious'

Andy

BTW picked the car up this afternoon - had a steady plod down the A42/M42 and still averaged 50mpg - about the same as my 90hp diesel Picasso - and I know which I would rather be driving...

And Simon thanks for the offer - will be a week or so yet - but sounds good

[PeteB1]

Originally Posted by Owyerbin

agreed and I probably will do all Volvo stuff - I think the question that is intriguing me is the 'genuine' part of the Volvo kit - as I'm sure Volvo don't or won't make the belts and is there really any difference in spec?

Be interested in views

Andy

No Volvo don't make cam or other belts (or much else component wise), they just make cars from boxes full of parts from a variety of suppliers. Many of these suppliers will supply the replacement part market direct using their own name and probably at a reduced price compared to the same parts supplied through (and stamped with) Volvo's name. Gates are a major supplier of belts for a range of engines and may well be one of the OEM suppliers to the likes of Volvo and others both for original and replacement use.

A possible difference is the quality 'cut off' point - and these are mainly visual inspections, i.e. a level below which Volvo won't put their name to it but the part is still perfectly acceptable and 'fit for purpose' for the replacement market.

If Volvo are to supply it with their name and it's fitted by their dealer network, then it will (or should) receive a normal Volvo warranty for service parts if it subsequently fails.

The same part supplied directly from the parts manufacturer won't have the Volvo warranty but may well have some form of warranty from the parts supplier.

[Owyerbin]

Brilliant thanks Pete - good explanation. I'm pretty sure I will use parts from Volvo main agent as there isn't much in it price wise - but will also check out the other two people who have replied about their kit
Cheers Andy