Timing Belt - Should I buy a 'genuine' one

[TheFullMonty]

Is it worth paying extra for a genuine Rover timing belt? Is there actually any difference in quality between a Rover belt and a cheaper one from a parts shop? Any views please?

[tony]

short answer , get the rover one . cheeper than a new engine :)

[Simon]

I've always fitted genuine belts to anything I've had because it removes that "nagging doubt".

[e692wtt]

You can always buy good 'aftermarket' stuff at useful savings... Quinton Hazell are possibly the best well-known (they make most service replacement parts for most cars old and new) and are easily available.

Often, QH make OE (Original Equiment) parts that are sold in Boxes marked with the Car Manufacturer's name, as well as the same parts packaged in Red QH boxes for a fraction of the price... some food for thought! :) Similar case can be argued for Bosch parts for German Cars, for example, although there is an outlet called 'German, Swedish and French' that caters for cars for these countries and source OE suppliers who also supply under their own names... ;)

I go to a motor trade parts place called Andrew Pages (operate in the North West and Yorkshire I believe) - I trust that anything they sell will be 100% OK, because they supply the local car parts shops and many local garages (including my favourite mechanic) and are damn cheap even without trade discount. I've also used Partco for Ignition parts for my (R-Series) Maestro and got everything I needed off the shelf for loose change. :)

And with Consumer Law being as it is, you can be sure that anything sold through channels like this will be fit for its purpose.


Just don't buy safety-critical items like cambelts and brake components from car boot sales and car shows, and expect a long, reliable service life. You might get away with it, but if you don't... :horror:

[E_T_V]

Buy a branded replacement and you'll not go far wrong. Most good branded parts are repackaged OEM parts anyway.

[TheFullMonty]

I would have replied sooner but my PC died. (if its not the car its sommat else going wrong). For info, the timing belt from Rover's is £18-07 and the QH belt is around £12. The Rover belt has come down in price, it used to be around £27; think I'll go with a Quinton Hazel one anyway.

[MGTurbo]

I would have replied sooner but my PC died. (if its not the car its sommat else going wrong). For info, the timing belt from Rover's is £18-07 and the QH belt is around £12. The Rover belt has come down in price, it used to be around £27; think I'll go with a Quinton Hazel one anyway.


For timing belts i would only ever use Gates (the O.e maker for Rover) either direct from my motor factors or from Rover at trade price. It's not hard to get a discount, if you dont ask, you dont get.