Audi Repair: Audi 4,2 Timing Belt, timing belts, audi shop

Question
Hi Jan,

We have a 2000 Audi A6 4.2 V8 with 80,000 km (about 50,000 miles) on it. The maintenance manual that came with the car specifies the timing belt change at 100,000 miles (160,000 km) and is silent on changing it after a number of years regardless of mileage. During a recent service visit, the Audi dealership we use recommended changing the timing belt (and the water pump and related hardware) because of the car’s age (and the timing belt’s age), now about 8 years.

Is this correct? Is it necessary to replace a timing belt after a number of years regardless of the mileage on the car? If so, what is a reasonable time period?

And how can one find a good aftermarket Audi shop? Our dealer shop is great but they are expensive.  

Answer
The belt can age, it is not worth running any kind of risk with these belts!  With reference to shops,  I go with word of mouht, or a post on a forum but beware, some shops have employees scanning the forums and promoting their own places.  A good import car shop will be always busy, and is hard to find.  You need more than one or two referrals from the internet...  Good luck,  Jan