Timing Belt Service D2 S8

[Goran]

In case you need some peace of mind, my current S8 had its timing belt for 8 years before I bought it and got it changed, it still looked fine. And I believe Dezzy's 8 had its timing belt on for 10 years before Mike got it changed.

[B4-Andy]

Originally Posted by briang9

I also used to use A for Audi, however as David has said I think they tried to grow too quickly and Andy, the owner, became too remote from the day to day business, which is a shame as he is a really nice guy, however he hadnt managed to instill the same work/customer service ethic into his more junior staff. I never had any bad experience with work they did, but they did let me down a couple of times with dates/times/parts etc. TBH these cars are not all that specialist to maintain, and suggest any competent mechanic could cope, I do however stress the word competent....I have found a local mechanic who is superb, (and I mean a proper mechanic who fixes things and not just a VCDS user and parts fitter that main dealers, and to an extent A for Audi use) I use him for the family fleet including the RS6 which IMHO is slightly more complex than my S8 and he has never let me down.

It was Andy the owner I was speaking to about the car. He seemed quite enthusiastic about the thing which is why I was keen to use them. I'm just going to hold off on the belt for now. If it's been done right, which I suspect it has, then it'll be fine.

Not trying to be cheap but at the same time there's no point in ****ing good petrol money away!

I will probably buy the parts myself and take them to him to fit and stamp the book to make sure it's what I want fitted when it comes to the time.

[B4-Andy]

Had a thought that it was probably a "Gates" belt since they are the OEM for a load of other Audi's. I imagine if anyone would put a lifespan on the belt they would but nope. Not a mention of it anywhere. Frustrating. No belt is going to last forever!

Going back to my original assumption for now, 80k interval is 8 years normal driving. 8 years is when it'll get replaced.

[MikkiJayne]

Originally Posted by Goran

I believe Dezzy's 8 had its timing belt on for 10 years before Mike got it changed.

That belt was still entirely serviceable when we took it off too. It was all the rotating bits that needed attention, as the tensioner had seized and the belt was quite slack.

Audi timing gear parts are mostly made by INA. I've just done an A6 which had Dayco and Audi logos right next to each other on the belt, and likewise INA and Audi on the tensioner. I've even had INA parts in Audi boxes with no Audi markings on them at all. I'll put genuine parts on the everyday stuff since it's competitive with the aftermarket and sometimes cheaper, but the 8s get INA aftermarket because the genuine prices are ridiculous for most of the bits considering the only difference is the box they come in.

[B4-Andy]

Originally Posted by MikkiJayne

Audi timing gear parts are mostly made by INA. I've just done an A6 which had Dayco and Audi logos right next to each other on the belt, and likewise INA and Audi on the tensioner. I've even had INA parts in Audi boxes with no Audi markings on them at all. I'll put genuine parts on the everyday stuff since it's competitive with the aftermarket and sometimes cheaper, but the 8s get INA aftermarket because the genuine prices are ridiculous for most of the bits considering the only difference is the box they come in.

Couldn't agree more. Rebuilt a cabrio a year ago and spent time investigating who were the OEM parts manufacturers. So many parts such as the drop links and indicators came with the VAG part numbers visibly scratched off! Sure the drop links still had the part no.

Half the price. That Audi badge costs a fortune.

If it's INA that's the OEM is more than happily buy the direct parts and save money. Might just be the 4 pots that get the Gates belts.

[johnny_quattro]

Thanks to some useful advice from Adrian E (ex-S8 FE owner), I've just had a good chat with David at DS Autowerks in Crawley, a few doors down from CamSpec. I'm looking to supply the parts and get the timing belt plus ancillaries done at the same time, as mine suffers from the oil cooler plastic pipe leak. This will be replaced with an aluminium part from the States.

Will report back once the works are complete.

[B4-Andy]

Originally Posted by johnny_quattro

Thanks to some useful advice from Adrian E (ex-S8 FE owner), I've just had a good chat with David at DS Autowerks in Crawley, a few doors down from CamSpec. I'm looking to supply the parts and get the timing belt plus ancillaries done at the same time, as mine suffers from the oil cooler plastic pipe leak. This will be replaced with an aluminium part from the States.

Will report back once the works are complete.

I know him it's his car I own!

[B4-Andy]

Camspec charged 2k for a service but that also included new front brakes.

[Adrian E]

Originally Posted by B4-Andy

Camspec charged 2k for a service but that also included new front brakes.

Thankfully prior to my ownership

[Goran]

Originally Posted by MikkiJayne

That belt was still entirely serviceable when we took it off too. It was all the rotating bits that needed attention, as the tensioner had seized and the belt was quite slack.

Audi timing gear parts are mostly made by INA. I've just done an A6 which had Dayco and Audi logos right next to each other on the belt, and likewise INA and Audi on the tensioner. I've even had INA parts in Audi boxes with no Audi markings on them at all. I'll put genuine parts on the everyday stuff since it's competitive with the aftermarket and sometimes cheaper, but the 8s get INA aftermarket because the genuine prices are ridiculous for most of the bits considering the only difference is the box they come in.

Thanks! good to know, next time I'll be getting Ina rollers etc
Last time I had the belt changed it cost roughly £1500 and that was mostly due to Audi boxed parts I suspect.