I'm being told I better replace my timing belt (2001 A6 114,000 miles) ..but wow...I'm being told it will cost $1,300 to do. Car is running fine... anyone with experience on this .. do I really need to... is there warning signs before it goes????

 

no warning signs. Car will run great until the timing belt goes, which DESTROYS your engine. If you are at 114K miles on the original timing belt you are running on borrowed time. What engine do you have?

$1000 seems to be a pretty average number for a timing belt. Find an independent shop that specializes in Audis in your area for the best price. If you have some mechanical aptitude and a decent set of tools, you can pull off a DIY for under $500.