I just went to the dealer today and they said that I should change my timing. I have an 02 A4 with 72K. They want to charge me $1300 for this service (including new water pump...ect). should I get it changed by the dealer or should I go somewhere else?

 

that's actually not a bad price but you can try an independent shop that specializes in german cars and compare.

 

just make sure if you dont get it done at the dealer,they use oem parts and make sure they change the water pump and the tensioner.

 

When you say oem parts? I understand that but what about the timing belt kit that ecstuning offers? Is that better or worse? They have several different options. The only real difference I saw was they offer one with a lightweight crank pulley? What is that and would it be more beneficial to replace that as well??

 

After shopping around I found 2 Euro shops that would do the job for around $700. That is almost half what the dealer quoted me. I made sure they use OEM parts and they also give a 1 yr 12,000 mile warranty.
I am going to drop it off tomorrow.
What do you guys think???

 

That is a personal choice. Most dealers warranty their repairs up until a year as well, and sometimes maybe more. Also, OEM parts tend to only be warrantied if installed by a technician of that brand, otherwise the claim may bite you in the behind, and that would be beyond the independent shop's control, unless the part failed because of something they did.

 

I don't know after working at dealerships for several years and having my own bad experiences with audi dealerships especially... I'm only taking mine back for recalls or warranty stuff... YOu just gotta find a good shop that specializes in German cars...

 

I'm sure they know what they are doing, but just make sure you get a water pump with a metal impeller.

 

So I took it this moring to this guy, and his shop is full of audis and bemmers, I even saw a saab in there. His speciality is german cars but does european too. so I guess he will do a good job (hopefully). My question is, why is the dealer price almosr twice as much. I mean if it was 40 or 50% more it would make sence, but double the price!!!!!!

 

Because dealer charges about $120/hr, you shop is prolly about $80.