Hi - recently had to have a new hydraulic camshaft tensioner fitted to my TT. Asked about changing the cam belt at the same time as I'm at 58k. Audi main dealer wanted £400 on top of camshaft repair to do the change, so I didn't do it. However, they have now advised me to get the cam belt changed ASAP as although I haven't reached 80K, the car is 5 years old. Don't know whether to go back to audi main dealer or use an independent. What's the sort of price I should be paying? Appreciate anyones comments, thanks.

 

If they were in there doing the tensioner, you should have had them do the full deal. Here in the US, thats anywhere between $800-$1100 dollars, not cheap. Although, it can be done at home, assuming you at least know SOMEBODY with any experience changing a timing belt/cam belt on pretty much any european car (lucky you, sounds like you live right in europe) (BTW, looking for a roommate? I wanna get out of the US, get a change of scenery, and drink some real beer).

A timing belt kit, which is EVERYTHING you would need, and more actually, from dieselgeek.com is about $260 bucks, and with some basic tools and a couple of hands it can be done in an afternoon. It took me 7 hrs on my own, w/ no prior experience, but I'm fairly mechanically inclined.

If you have to take it to a garage, keep that cost of materials in mind, and figure 4-5 hrs of labor (my guess at how long it should take a professional). Maybe total cost of $500-600? The dealers here in the US are overpriced, I don't know if the situation in the UK is any different, but I'd consider them a last resort for just about any repair.