All this time, I've always thought that the A4
runs on chains until the dealer told me that
it runs on belts. Not sure, but I think he
said 2 belts. Shoot! I thought the VR6 engines
from VW use chains so naturally the 2.8 from the
Passat and A4 would also use chains. Even
BMWs use chains.

They are lighter and quieter. They do stretch over time causing the cams to be retarded with respect to the crank, but so do chains, and most people do not have the chains replaced until they break, so the performance just gets worst to a small degree. AT least with belts, once they are replaced, back to normal again.

Besides, most high rpm engines these days that are lighter and faster spinning use belts. Superchargers use belts.

BTW, the vario cam hookup is still by chain, so you still have a chain in there, so no need to be very dissapointed :-)

I'm aware of both Saabs & M-Bs (my other & previous car, respectively) having chains go at anywhere from 80-140k, so chains aren't bulletproof. I prefer them but they aren't a cure all.

The user manual says to replace it at 120,000 miles which is exactly the same recommended mileage as for timing chains by other car manufacturers.

The old Audi 5 Cylinder motors were belt driven too.

I want to know *where* in the manual it says 120K for the timing belt.

From reading the Q-List, the consensus at least with the 12V V6's was to change the belts every 60K miles.

(The V6 that was in the Saab NG900 required that it's belts be replaced every *30K* so I wouldn't complain that much)

-randy