Timing belts - age of

[quk@isham-research.demon.co.uk (Phil Payne)]

The timing belt that failed and wrecked the engine in David Sutton's S1 replica 
had only done a few dozen miles, if that.  But it _was_ at least eight years 
old and the engine hadn't been started during that period.
 
In Germany, service intervals are expressed in miles _and_ months - even if you 
don't do many miles, you're required to come in for a service at a maximum of 
every six months.

Has anyone ever seen an age limit for timing belts in months rather than 
miles?  My own rule-of-thumb would be five years - anyone of a different 
opinion?

-- 
 Phil Payne
 Committee Member, UK Audi [ur-]quattro Owners Club