Timing belt on Audi A4 3.0 - how much???

longwalks1

Am after a timing belt change on my 2003 Audi A4 3.0 V6, and spoke ot my local independant Audi specialist and they want £860 to do it?? Seems expensive to me?

Anyone else? does it really cost that much? Car is probably only work £5k maximum

Sgt_Pepper_2

It will be worth a lot less if the belt goes.

I know with the V8s the front of the car has to come off. If the V6 is the same the cost seems reasonable.

Apples2

£375 in Cheltenham

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUDI-CAMBELT-TIMING-BELT-AND-TENSIONER-CHANGE-A4-A6-3-0-V6-PETROL-/180598420397?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2a0c8133ad

redux

I wouldn't naturally look at the cheapest job

There's not much point in having a nice new belt if the idler and tensioning pulleys will have too much play

So some people would change just the belt, while others will also change pulleys and the flywheel if necessary.

C_Mababejive

http://www.audiworld.com/news/00/newa4/content3.shtml

What worries me is the length of many of these timing belts and the number of loops round ancillary equipment that they make. All that flapping around at 3 or 4 thousand revs between intervals. Its a miracle that they last.

I'm guessing it isnt just the cost of the belt and labour. There is probably stuff like water pumps and tensioners to be changed.

Bring back the pushrod engine i say..

longwalks1

Cheers people

Sgt Pepper, I think the front does have to come off now you mention it - bummer

Apples2 - I saw that ad on ebay, but I'm in Herts so its a fair old trip (and petrol) to get it done

Redex/Mababejive - The price I was quoted was for tensioner, belt, water pump, thermostat etc, just seemed a lot for work on a 10 year old car... Was hoping someone out there knows of an audi specialist to try in Herts/Essex

forgotmyname

Sell the car and buy a MK3 Mondeo, They have chains

This keeps popping up. If the car was expensive when new it will still need servicing like an expensive car when its a few years old.
Just because its worth £5000 now doesnt change the fact the car cost £30,000 when new.
So needs servicing like a £30,000 car.

On the plus side having Audi do the belt change and a nice bill for £1000 will show you love the car when you come to sell it.

Not willing to let potential muppets do it because its cheaper.

patman99

I would suggest shopping-around. Paid £375 for a full belt/tensioner/water pump change on a 2000 Octavia TD having been quoted up to £700.

I would make sure the quote includes a new water pump with metal impellors. The reason for this is that car manufacturers fit pumps with plastic ones and they get brittle over time and start to break-up. Metal impellors means that you should not need to replace the pump in the future as they don't disintigrate.

The big question is, 'How long do you wish to keep the car for ?'. If the answer is 'until it dies', then yes, it is worth doing the belt change. If you are looking to get shot of the car in the next year or so, then just hope it will last.

Knowing 2 mechanics who spent many years working for main dealers, I know just how many corners they cut to speed the job up. A good indie will do the job properly.

Tobster86

Convert to a Beemer and get yourself a timing chain

vaio

britishboy wrote: »

Am after a timing belt change on my 2003 Audi A4 3.0 V6, and spoke ot my local independant Audi specialist and they want £860 to do it?? Seems expensive to me?

Anyone else? does it really cost that much? Car is probably only work £5k maximum

I've just had a quote of £620 from an indie specialist to do that job on a bi-turbo version (so turbo pipes etc have to be removed too) so yours does seem on the high side. My quote also included pump & 'stat.

Last time I had it done in 2006 my local Audi dealer wanted £1100 just for the belt change, I got it done with a dealer in Germany for a thousand euros (which then was <£700) including an oil & filter change.

C_Mababejive

Maybe you could cut a deal an an audi dealers as it might be quiet towards Christmas/New year?