opinion my estimate + suggestions for a mechanic

[fenderstrat1184]

well the car is about at 70k and its time for a new timing belt.

i just got the car back from an oil change and the shop (which i bring it to for oil changes, brakes, and tires) told me i need to take care of my belt, blah blah blah (stuff i already knew)

anyways this is the estimate i was given

water pump: 241.23
timing belt: 79.20
tensioner: 133.38
roller bearing: 77.96
thermostat, gasket: 39.30
serpentine belt: 67.90

labor for just that: 577.00

plus oil cooler coolant bypass hose: 39.13
oil filter housing 119.77
coolant flush: 109.95
(i already know i have a coolant leak, found it last weekend)

labor for that: 264.95

for a grand total of 1639.92

ouch... so i'm just wondering how much this dude is overcharging me, and hey, while youre at is, does anyone have a good audi mechanic in fairfield county, ct that you can recommend?

time is of the essence with this, as i really need to get this done soon, since i'll be doing quite a few road trips in the upcoming weeks!


thanks!

[Seerlah]

I think those prices are outrageous, but def not out of the norm for our cars. Maintanance on our cars are not cheap. You have a few options. Suck it up and pay, learn to do it yourself, or try and find cheaper prices. Let me help you out. PM sent.

[onemoremile]

The itemized list is kinda funny. The timing belt, tensioner, and roller are all part of the same install. I had the Audi dealership do my full timing belt kit and install an electric fan kit and the labor was still lower than what you were quoted.

By oil filter housing do they mean the oil cooler?

[Oricle]

That's way too much.

[Poopie]

drive down to PA and i'll do it for about 1/3 of that price with parts.

[Mawhitey]

He could buy the parts and fly me out there cheaper than that !!

Seriously, look around, the parts prices you have been quoted are ludicrous

[otterski]

Psh. Wanna know what I did (at 90,000 miles, so you've got time anyway). Timing Belt Kit
I used the regional section of this here forum to find someone who I could trust to do a good job at an affordable price.
At $60/hour labor rates you're looking at no more than $575 for timing belt/water pump replacement.

[onemoremile]

DO NOT wait for 90k miles. Sooner is better than screwed.

[otterski]

Well, yeah I agree. I bought the car at 90k, so I had no choice. Was the first thing I had done too. Audi recommends 80k, I guess Audi drivers recommend 70k. ^,^

[Richard]

that is way way too much.....i even went the more expensive route for my area and paid far less for all that to include an install of my boost guage and some other accessories.

[UN-PIMP-Z-A4]

there are several members in the tristate area that can help you for much cheaper and they own Audi's so they know their way around the car.
Search the regional section and use the search feature in there and you can find dozens of cheaper options.

[fenderstrat1184]

yea i knew the prices were waaaay off but i just wanted to post to show the sheer lucacrisy of the whole thing

thanks to the posts and pms

[audiness]

thats $400 worth of parts if you do it yourself

[zrowcool]

pm me if you wan someone to help ya with it. Did mine about 5k ago and it took like 3-4 hrs. and only cost me around 250 with all the stuff you listed.

[gotaudi]

Well, yeah I agree. I bought the car at 90k, so I had no choice. Was the first thing I had done too. Audi recommends 80k, I guess Audi drivers recommend 70k. ^,^

lol, i did mine at 45k right before my big turbo. And the next one will be in about 15k when I upgrade the internals. Do it yourself it is cheaper and you will learn something. A win win if you ask me...

[Rico750]

i bought a timing belt set online at the time.. had all the parts i needed.. waterpump was 60 or so new.. maybe find the parts yourselves and then find a cheaper mechanic.. sounds like they're on the high end..

[EuroTech Motorsports]

bring it to nj for service. PM me. cheapest prices around.