[V6-12v] Timing Belt Change

[Casimiro Izquierdo]

I have other questions concerning my 2002 A6 2.7T twin turbo with about 72,000 miles.  A service employee told me today that the timing belt in this car should be changed at about 60,000 miles.  The dealer has told me that the mileage for changing the timing belt is between 95,000 and 110,000 miles.  This person also said that in order to change the belt, the entire front part of the car has to come off; including the radiator, the grill, bumpers, etc. He claims that because of this, the job would cost between $2,000 and $3,000.  This is the same amount quoted by the dealer.  

My mechanic looked up in his book the amount of labour needed to change the timing belt.  This book said 3 hours.  In light of the above this does not seem reasonable, but, this is the book that is used by mechanics to estimate the manhours needed to do work about which they are not familiar.

1- Does anyone have any idea whether all these parts have to come off this car in order to access and change the timing belt?

2- Are the costs cited by the dealer and this service employee reasonable for what needs to be done?

3- If the dealer says to change this belt at 100,000 and it fails at 85,000, do you think that the cost of repair would be covered if the car is out of warranty?  Faulty part or manufacture?  

4- Any first or second hand experiences, as well as anecdotal stories?

Thank you.

Casimiro




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