Gents,

My car has zero warranty so the 75,000 mile maintenance…aka Laundry List…is all on my wallet. Is this a good time to upgrade my timing belt to something that is going to help a little with the performance or do you guys go with something OEM? Also, what is the difference between a Ribbed Belt and a Timing Belt? It is saying to replace both. Lastly, the spark plug install looks pretty easy based off of all the forum instructions I have seen, but if I still want a certified mechanic to do the trick should I expect them to charge me way to much? It looks like an hour job to me…for a professional that is.

Any past experience or suggestion would be awesome. Thanks!!!

 

If you lead onto a mechanic that you arent comfortable changing your own plugs, you might get taken advantage of. There is no such thing as an upgraded timing belt for performance. You dont even need to worry about changing it for another 5-10k miles. It takes about 30 mins to do the plugs if you are slow. Just get all your fluids changed, plugs, air filter, check brakes and you should be fine until its time to do the timing belt/water pump/thermostat/all other belts. Just to be clear:
Have your brake fluid bled
P/S fluid changed
Tranny fluid/differential(s) flush/fill
You can wait for a coolant flush until its time to do the timing belt, etc. if it doesnt look too nasty.

Im sure someone is going to want to chime in and express urgency with the timing belt, etc. But you, having an 04, dont need to worry about it until the schedualed time-maybe a little before that just for good measure. The 97-99 engines had poorly designed timing belt tensioners and were prone to early failure. You dont need to worry about that.

 

audi says 120k for timing belt change for 2001 a4, but i wouldnt gamble and would not go over 90k.

 

i did mine b4 90k i have an 02 and my belt and everything looks perfect jsut dirty as hell, i dont want to take the chance but its done along with new tires, 75 is oil coils and Plugs fluids, brakes and tire check u can do all except Fluids as a novice, all for about 150 bucks shipped form ECS tuning, there are plenty of guides, get the bently manual and itll tell you how to dis assmeble the car