I bought my '97 A6 Quattro at 97,000 miles. And I had it maintainced right after I got it and had the timing belt changed along with another belt. Good thing cause the guy said it would've broke around another 5,000-10,000 miles. It was pretty worn. He said changing it at every 65,000-75,000 miles should be fine for the car.

 

Thanks for all the input. I had all the goodies (timing belt, serp. belt, water pump, thermostat, tensioner, roller, cam seals...) done on Wednesday. Looking at the old belts, I think I did this just in time. A chunk out of the old wallet, but better now than later! Thanks again.

 

I'm in calgary and had a quote from the Audi dealer for $1,200.00CND to replace the timing belt, rotors (tension alignment), water pump, and thermostat. The service department separated out the water pump and therm at $300. The reason for the timing belt change is that Audi recommends changing it at 140K. I don't know exactly what that is in miles. The reason they recommend the water pump and therm is because its 4.5 hours to pull the front off to change the belt, and they simply figure you might as well change the pump and therm because its not their money and if you ever have to change them then you'll have to pay 4.5 hours to pull the front off again.

A suspicious person might think they would do something funky to the water pump or therm when changing the belt, if a person chose not to have this work done; so that a month down the road ... lo and behold, somethings wrong with the water pump or therm!!!

My experience with this dealer is nominal (one visit) but it was a good visit in all regards: inexpensive, right work, no push to get other work performed.