I have typically been a domestic v8 sort of dude and I am a little out of my element so I need an education. I have been reading through some posts but I need with a few specifics.

1. I bought a 03 Cab with the 1.8t about 2 years ago. I need to get rid of it now to accommodate my family. I got an offer on the car for $1300 lower than I want because the timing belt has not been changed. I see there is a bit of an issue with the belt but I have 66k on the car and have never had a problem with this - I have an appointment with the dealership to do the free inspection and fully assuming they will come out and say, 'yep it need changed.' Do these all need changed or are there cases when the belt is fine? I am trying to work with the buyer to come down half of the cost on the replacement if he see's fit? Am I being stupid?

2. I had a potential buyer *kicking myself for not taking his offer now* say he was interested because it was manufactured in Germany (vs. US or Mexico I guess) Is that just a preference thing or is there something different with the cars actually assembled in Germany?

 

1)
Audi originally says they are due at 100k miles. However, time has shown the plastic impeller on the water pump can break earlier than that and the belt break/skip timing as a consequence. Since it's an interference engine, well, you get the picture. My thoughts on taking $1300 less than your asking price because of the timing belt @ 66k is silly. First off, the $1300 price is for it being done at the dealership. Yes, if they inspect it they very likely will tell you it needs to be changed because I hear as long as they do that they are covered and not as liable for failure before 100k. If they tell you you're leaking coolant or need a new water pump, well, then I'd change it. My advice is finding a Euro shop that knows German cars. They typically charge $700-$850 or so for a TB job on the 1.8t. I'd find a shop to give you a written quote and tell the guy you'll meet him half way on that price. Otherwise, find another buyer. The four cylinders are hot now!

EDIT: A couple buddies and I did my TB (kit from ECS Tuning) at 72k miles this summer.

2)
I don't even know if they are manufactured in Mexico or anywhere other than Germany. The driver's door jam will tell you where it was assembled. He might have just said that because Toyotas, Hondas, etc are made here and probably Mexico.

 

1. Usually it is recommended to change timing belt every 65-75k miles or so. There is a chance that you TB/water pump is still in a good condition, but it is getting a bit risky at that mileage.
2. As far as i know, every b6 was built in Germany, there is no AUDI plants in Mexico.

 

1. +1 wolfdog on getting a written estimate for the TB job and 1/2 price it.
2. ALL Audi's are made in Germany. I know some rabbits and (I may be wrong about this) A3's are built in Mexico just because they're the most cost efficient and popular south of us. Even if they are though, that doesn't mean they're inferior to German built ones. Its all robotic made and its more than likely all managed from engineers from Ingolsdadt. So saying that the Mexican ASSEMBLED Audi is inferior to the German assembled cars is an ignorant statement

 

+1 ^^