My 2006 A3 just ticked over 70k miles and the factory manual calls for replacing the timing belt at around 75k miles. The stealership quoted me about $1,500 for this some time ago, but since I really don't trust them, I thought I'd check here to see what others paid. Also, any DIYers experience with parts.

I checked out parts and am getting wildly varying prices from as little as $42 for a Gates timing belt to ten times that amount from Blauparts.com for a kit that includes a ton of parts in addition to the timing belt, that I do not know whether they are needed for this service or not:

http://www.blauparts.com/proddetail....od=GH21130-1-A (Blau kit)

http://cpwstore.carpartswholesale.co...ming+belt+t334 (Gates belt)

I used an independent garage to replace my DV several months ago, and they did a good job...it's just that I had to order the parts (Forge DV in that case) for them.

Any feedback on owners or mechanics that have done this kind of work, or had it done would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

I just got a quote today from an independent German auto mechanic: approximately $1000 for parts and labor. I'm going to go with this guy. The mechanic's guide says it will take 3 hours. I would do it myself, but I don't a garage to leave the car for a couple days (I figure it takes me 2 to 5 times as long as a pro.) In addition to the water pump, make sure to replace the tensioner assembly, not just the pulleys. I'm going to have him do the thermostat while he's in there. Are you planning to change your brake fluid too? The owner's manual says to do it every 2 years. I'm debating if I should do this soon.

 

Procedure is quite similar to a 1.8 so its a pretty straight foreward job. No special tools required. I would go with the blau kit as it has every thing you need and then some. The bolts and seals arent really necessary. You may want to think about getting a tensioner as well.

 

My service manual suggests replacing the timing belt at 110K miles on the 2 Liter engine.