from what i have read and seen, you will get a little rattle on start up. Audi intended the timing components to be a "Lifetime" item, however, even though the chains are considered a lifetime item, the plastic guides are the first thing to normally go, followed by the mechanical cam adjusters. Most of the time you can hear the rattle on start up (the 1 to 2 second rattle is considered normal). However that is not always the case. Sometimes the components just go. The mileage that a lot of people tend to toss around as the average time to get it done, is 100k. Some people swear by this mileage, others say it is a scare tactic. I personally am going to do it as a maintenance item at/around 100k because the cost of rebuilding/replacing the heads if the pistons make valve contact, is more then i want to spend. I have seen a guy with 150k on stock timing components, and i have also seen them fail as soon as 40k. If you tackle it as a DIY, you will save roughly $3000. If you are not so mechanically inclined, be prepared to spend $4500+ It is a hard thing to stomach spending that much on a car as a maintenance item, however, the cost of the timing components, AND rebuilt heads/new valves far exceeds the cost of doing the service. Some people just wait until they go and buy a long block to replace their old one with. However, the one they replace could be in need of the service as well. JHM sells the kits for less than what the dealer charges and they include the updated RS4 guides that fail and their in house built mechanical adjusters that are suppose to be stronger then the OEM ones. I hope this helps you determine if you want/need the service.
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) 2005.5 Audi S4
2011 Dieselgate Q7 TDI..... patiently waiting for my warranty to expire!!
Originally Posted by drwest
B6 Noggy Avant, 
B8.5 Allroad
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