First time Audi owner here. I just purchased a white 1998 A6 2.8 auto trans. with 75,000mi. on the clock(barely broken in...). Am I correct in the assumption that I should be doing a timing belt ASAP? Any other suggestions relating to preventative maint. would be GREATLY appreciated.

 

Welcome to the forum!

You are correct, I believe recommended timing belt change should be around 80,000.

Other suggestion I have would just be regular maintenance such as oil changes every 3,000 or so (perhaps with synthetic).

The 2.8 should be reliable and last you a long time.

 

Thank you for the reply, I'm currently trying to decide if I should have the timing belt replaced at an independant shop right away or wait till the weather gets warmer and do it myself(I would have done it already if it wasn't so cold here in the northeast). Funny you mention synthetic...I'm a fanatic about the stuff...I use it in everything I own(even the lawnmower) cheap insurance i you ask me!

 

Not sure about the 2.8 but it's a decently easy job to do on the S4 (which I have seen) and the 1.8T engines.

However, like you said, time is the big factor why people would rather pay someone to do it.

If you have what it takes and the skills to do it your self, I would say go for it. Wait until the weather gets a bit warmer and order your parts online.

I believe the part should come with an instruction on how to do it (I believe the part from ECS Tuning does). I'm also sure there are many DIY write-ups online about timing belt changes.

Good luck!