21st Nov 2004, 18:42

It is important to note that the breaking of a timing belt will do major damage in many of the cars we think of as common. Honda's, for example, can be badly damaged by a broken timing belt. I had it happen, and it ruined my engine.

I've got a 2000 Audi A4 1.8 Turbo Quattro. It developed an oil drip (at 90k miles). Turns out the cam seal and one of the turbo hoses were leaking. I had my mechanic replace the cam seal, some other seal, timing belt, water pump, turbo hoses, all belts, flush the radiator, and charge the air conditioner, and it cost me $1086. My mechanic did say the Audi was very hard to work on. The entire front end, except the quarter panels, had to come off.

13th Mar 2005, 09:53

The a4 1.8T has a history of timing belt failure, usually somewhere between 60k and 100k miles. The owners manual recommends changing it at 120k miles, but your care manual does say 60k miles. It is approximately $200 for the belt/tensioner replacement kit (a relatively cheap repair that will save you several thousand in the long run.) Take care of the car, make sure you're doing oil changes every 3000 miles with the 1.8T, and pay attention to your warning lights!

18th Apr 2005, 08:10

You could have changed the timing belt/tensioner yourself and saved a considerable amount. The job is not very difficult if you have the right tools (which in this case aren't much more than a nice socket set). Fixing your own problems is one of the joy's of car ownership. :D.

16th Jul 2008, 15:48

RE: P.S.

All service advisers work on commission at pretty much every dealer in the world. This is how they make a living. There is no conflict of interest because they make money off of repairing cars, it's called business. The dealer has to cover a great many expenses through each repair, paying a tech, paying the adviser, paying for the parts and a parts person, as well as maintain a profit.

22nd Jun 2010, 21:10

I own a 2000 Audi A4 1.8 turbo Quattro, the car handles great, nice to drive, but I have to take it to the shop at least once a month. It is very costly to repair, and it has problem after problem.

3rd Feb 2011, 23:29

I have to agree with the comment up above. I've owned an A4 2000 2.8 Quattro since Nov. and I've already had to replace the timing belt, and as we speak, the car is at the shop, and the mechanic told me that there's a timing chain to be replaced.. 2 problems in 2 months... love the way it drives, and a very classy ride, but not sure if the cost of repairs can justify it as an everyday driver, considering it's now considered old school (11 years old).. don't get an Audi if you're on welfare or can't afford repairs.

18th Jun 2011, 00:26

Yep, I am a mechanic, and I own a 2000 Audi A4 quattro, and I know how difficult it can be to work on Audi's, and parts are very expensive too, but I think it's totally worth the money.. I love my car.