Just hit 71K miles so I am going to schedule a timing belt replacement. Is it a better idea to let the dealer do this kind of work or is it ok to go to my local mechanic who works on all kinds of cars? I would imagine I would save a little bit of money going to my local guy. Any suggestions?

Also, I have a 1.8T '03 A4.

 

From what I recall, dealer will charge anywhere between $1200-1500 for the timing belt service (includes parts), and independent shops should charge between $700-900 for everything. My shop in california charges $750 for the timing belt job (parts include timing belt, tensioner, rollers, drive belts, water pump and coolant). I would recommend finding a german shop (VW will do fine) to do the work

 

any good shop will be able to do it. Indy shops should cost in the $700-900 range. Some will even let you bring in parts. Just make sure you get a metal water pump instead of the stock plastic one

 

no dealer, go euro shop and ay $600 - $850. Make sure water pump has metal impeller and not plastic. Early OEM was plastic but went metal.

 

Stay away from the dealership, but go to a German auto shop, someone who preferably specializes in Porsche/VW/Audi. Dont go to a generalist unless you want your ride reglected.

 

Don't have my owner's manual in front of me, when is the timing belt due on the 3.0 6 cylinder? I have 68k on my 2002 b6

 

The timing belt is recommended to be replaced at 105K miles on both the 1.8t and the 3.0

 

I thought it was 80k on the 3.0 but i'm probly wrong

 

There is more info on when to do it than I can possibly put in one post. 60k-80k should be fine. Use the search function on the B6 forum home page(top right hand corner of threads on the B6 home page). Change the dates searched at the bottom of the page to last hundred days or more(bottom of B6 forum home page) you should find enough info with that to give you a comfortable feeling for doing it at 71k.