Alternator Replacement with Timing Belt at 160,000 ?

[njpcyclist]

'00 A6 Avant, 159k miles. I am the original owner. Will be doing a complete timing belt service at approx 160k . Last TB/WP was done at 85k. I was thinking about replacing the alternator as well while the car is in service position. It is the original alternator. Brand new replacement available at German Auto Parts for ~$270. Not too crazy expensive for peace of mind. Would be a shame to not replace it, have it fail soon, and leave me stranded. . I Don't know what the life expectancy is for an original alternator. Perhaps you can shed some light on this.
Appreciate your input. Thanks

[Kaane]

You can take it apart and look at the brushes to see how much life they have left. 160K is a lot though, so it could fail soon.

[Black-Forest]

Also a good thing to replace while doing the belt would be the thermostat and housing. I have a customer that did the timing belt water pump etc a short time ago with similar mileage on it and unfortunately the thermostat housing has now sprung a leak 20,000k after belt job. Hate to see it happen to anyone else.

[Kaane]

Same happened to me, plastic housing started leaking once I did timing belt. Good time to upgrade to metal housing and replace thermostat.

[4rings2turbos]

The aluminum housing on early 2.7Ts are really stout, the later plastic ones have been know to crack. His 2000 would have the preferred aluminum housing.

[Castor Troy]

alternator on my s6 took a shit at 165, within a couple months of doing the timing belt....

[PaperToast]

do it.
you will thank yourself later