I have a 2006 A3 2.0T with 85,000 miles on it. When I picked it up from its 85,000 mile service a few weeks ago, the dealer told me that the timing belt was due replacement, and that it was going to cost about $1,000. I checked the service manual, and it says that it was actually due replacement at 75,000 miles.

So, I decided to replace it myself. I ordered the kit from Blauparts.com, and the Bentley manual from Amazon.com. Checking the most recent scheduled maintenance intervals on the Bentley manual (and on the AudiUSA.com site), I see that the recommended timing belt replacement for the 2.0t is at 110,000 miles. I informed the dealer of this, and they still insist that it's 75,000 miles.

I've found lots of info about this for the 1.8t, but almost nothing for the 2.0t. What do you guys recommend? 110,000 or 75,000? Someone please settle this for me once and for all.

When I bought my A3 I asked about the Timing Belt because it had 98,xxx miles. I was told the 110,000 but that it had a top end replacement (dealer documentation verified the installation) at 35,000. So I guess I'm looking to deal with that at 145-ish?

Yeah, sounds like it. I wonder why it had to be replaced at 35,000. So your dealer was the one telling you 110,000? Maybe my dealer is trying to take me for a $1,000 ride.

I checked my 2007 2.0T maintenance manual and it says inspect/replace the ribbed V belt at 75,000 miles. Now i'm not sure this is the timing belt that is oh so important or just the belt that runs the generator, water pump, etc. Could not find anything on the timing belt per se.

The ribbed V-belt is the serpentine belt (I've looked into this too)- it's on the outside of the engine and runs the power steering pump, alternator, etc. That one's no big deal, you can replace it for $30 at most. Timing belt is another story.

Originally Audi recommend the TBelt replacement 100k-110k mi and then Audi saw TBelt broken well before these mileage, so Audi switched to lower mile 75k.

This is exactly what the dealer says. So then, why does the newest Bentley manual and the Audi website still say 110,000? It's here:

http://www.audiusa.com/us/brand/en/o...intenance.html

and then check 06 at the bottom. Not trying to second-guess anyone but this is not a small expense. I'm a student right now, but have a job lined up after I graduate this spring and I'd much rather put this off until at least then. If I have to do it now, then I have to do it myself, which I'd also rather not do.

Timing belt changes have been a bid discussion on several other boards. Some say it is profit for the dealer, others say the materials are strong and can go the distance.

I once bought a Toyota that had sat, unused for a year. Within the first 10kMiles the timing belt brok even though I still had 30kMiles before the scheduled belt change was due. Thank goodness it wasn't an nterference engine so no internals were damaged, but it does make me think that a car which is used regularly can outlast the timing belt of one that sits for extended periods.

The issue is does the cost of changing a timing belt cost less than the cost of replacing pistons and valve train if the belt breaks. YMMV