ray@desenacpa.com

My 2008 A8L is running fine and has approx. 76k miles. Dealer is recommending replacing timing belt as part of 75k service which is $2800. I know the manual and service schedule calls for timing belt replacement at 70k miles - is it really necessary or should I just wait till it goes. It may go at 120k miles.. Does any one have any thoughts, comments, reccomendations or experience with this? Any comments would be greatly appreciated

joshe8695@yahoo.com

Wrong Platform, And YES you should have it done. It's an interferance motor. If it breaks, you get bent valves and possibly worse!

silverd2

You definitely don't wait until it goes! But, is your car under warranty and it's required to do as the dealer says?

If it's not a warranty requirement (or under warranty...don't know the rules), I'd have an good independent inspect it for condition and tightness. These belts generally last a lot longer than 70K and are not prone to snapping for no reason.

Even when it does need changing, a qualified indy can do it much cheaper than that...IF it's not a warranty requirement to have dealer do the work.

I changed mine as a precaution (and was doing other related repair anyway) at 100K on a 9 yr old '01 A8 and the old belt was perfect...supple, no fraying and perfect teeth.

The life of the belt can also depend on weather conditions. Constant, dry desert environment for instance can suck more life out of such items.