Since were talking timing belts...
04-06-2010, 08:20 PM
#1
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Since were talking timing belts...
I have a 2002 3.0 A6... I am closing in on 233,000 miles (not a typo)... and my dealer is telling me that a timing belt replacement (along with pumps and whatnot) is needing to get done. Now I had the job done about 100k ago and am not sure how concerned I should be. I know that this can be an expensive job (and i would do it myself if time was not a constraint)but with my car in such an advanced age is it worth spending almost 2k on a car thats worth maybe 5. I guess the real question is how long can I go playing roulette? Will I notice if the belts/ect. are beginning to go? The car drives like it did 100k ago and have not had any other mechanical issues. What kind of advice can I get?
04-07-2010, 02:59 AM
#2
Good question. Up to you how much risk you are willing to take.
How long will you keep the car? More than another 20k? I'd do the belt. Less than 20k and don't care if the belt snaps? Roll the dice.
Expect no warning. Snap!
How long will you keep the car? More than another 20k? I'd do the belt. Less than 20k and don't care if the belt snaps? Roll the dice.
Expect no warning. Snap!
04-07-2010, 12:51 PM
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04-08-2010, 03:06 PM
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02' 3.0 w/ 230,000 miles? Well,...I think the big problem may be that the dealer cost of doing the timing belt service will be roughly what your car is worth. Along the way I absolutely guarantee they find a BUNCH of other things that MUST be repaired (in their opinion). Leaver it and The belt could break tomorrow, or in 5 years?
Thats a tough call.. ... 100k on a T-belt is pushing it. All that being said, maybe you get 60 or 70k out of that car once it's done? If you want to keep it that long. ..
Thats a tough call.. ... 100k on a T-belt is pushing it. All that being said, maybe you get 60 or 70k out of that car once it's done? If you want to keep it that long. ..
04-09-2010, 05:19 AM
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no one knows. But, as i wrote like one day ago to someone else, the 75k (60, 90...) recommendation and consensus is based on preventing failure to like 3+ standard deviations.
My guess is that average is far, far higher ( in fact, unless this is not a standard normal curve, it must be). So you're likely fine.
The question is: "do you feel lucky?" Well, do ya?
G
My guess is that average is far, far higher ( in fact, unless this is not a standard normal curve, it must be). So you're likely fine.
The question is: "do you feel lucky?" Well, do ya?
G
04-09-2010, 06:28 AM
#6
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worth roughly 4500 net if you bought such a vehicle from a private party including a -2300 hit for high mileage....I'd say find an independent to do the TB change and keep the car if you like it.
Depreciation on a new car is 6-15K the first year plus taxes, sheesh. If your brakes and tires are in good shape and the body isn't rusting and you like the car (must, to put 230k on it!) just do the do and keep on keeping on!
OTOH, if your indy suggest a boatload (needs a boat payment...heh heh heh) of other stuff, like control arms and CV joints/boots, axle bearings, shocks, etc, maybe it's time. BTW, if you have OEM shocks at 230K miles...you need new shocks.
Depreciation on a new car is 6-15K the first year plus taxes, sheesh. If your brakes and tires are in good shape and the body isn't rusting and you like the car (must, to put 230k on it!) just do the do and keep on keeping on!
OTOH, if your indy suggest a boatload (needs a boat payment...heh heh heh) of other stuff, like control arms and CV joints/boots, axle bearings, shocks, etc, maybe it's time. BTW, if you have OEM shocks at 230K miles...you need new shocks.
04-09-2010, 06:30 AM
#7
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Well said. I'd probably even go 30-40K w/o changing TB...it all depends on the opportunity cost of being stranded...I wouldn't take the car on a 4K mile cross country trip with three kids and a dog although even that is workable...if it dies, salvage it/truck it home and rent a minivan for the rest of the trip.
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04-13-2010, 01:04 PM
#9
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233k on ur 2002 Audi huh? sounds like you got a great car, why wouldnt u want to take care of it? ive unwillingly had mine done twice in 108k. if that belts snaps its worth nothing.
04-13-2010, 08:36 PM
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It is a great car and i think the fact that it has so many miles points to me taking care of it... the problem is called return on investments... i am not sure if i want to spend 2k on a car thats only worth 5k at best. The odds of something else needing major attention are growing due to high mileage so in the next 30k i might have to spend more that the car is worth in repairs which would not be finacially sound. That is my dilemma.