99.5 1.8T with just about 65,000 miles on it. I got it last summer with about 48K, only service I have done since is oil changes and replaced upper control arms. My question is, what should I be having done now.
I am having problems with the lower control arms now, sounds like baloons rubbing together, but only when its hot. Also, I was thinking about replacing the timing belt and getting a general inspection with fluid change and stuff. Any idea what these jobs should cost me?
I was quoted just under a grand for the timing belt and $700 for all of the front lower control arms, this is including labor. Any suggestions/comments? Thanks.

 

Those sound like pretty decent prices for the Tbelt and control arms if they include labor. Of course you could do it all for under a grand if you do it yourself. go to bentlypublishers.com and search around and youll find a maintnance schedule for your car if you dont have a owners manual for the general stuff. The T belt and contrl arms should be done now according to your mileage and what symptoms you have. I dont know what all your belts look like, but it would be wise to change those with your T belt since they are cheap and they have to be taken off anyway. Do the water pump and T-stat if you can afford it as well. ecstuning has a good timing belt kit that includes all that with the updated tensioner for the timing belt.

 

how tough would it be to do myself if i have no experience with these sort of repairs?

 

Semi tuff, i guess. Its more time consuming than difficult. If you dont have any tools and money isnt a huge object youd be better off having someone else do it. If you have friends or family with mechanical experience and tools, thats always convenient.

 

a good friend of mine is an auto shop teacher at a local high school...what sort of tools are needed? also, what other belts should be replaced

 

Contact

www.ecstuning.com

for their timing belt kit.

Otherwise do a search for independent mechanics.