Re: S4 timing belt change-share my experience

["Andrew Seward" <reming@idir.net>]

Scott wrote:

>Appreciate any others who had experience with a shop doing this job....

Cunningham Audi in Kansas City is replacing our '93 Audi S4 timing belt,
water pump and tensioner right now (pick it up at dealership after work
today).  Will tell you how it comes out - hours charged and prices.

VR, MAJ Andy Seward
'93 S4
'88 944 Turbo S
---------
>Just wanted to share my experience with my first, and local dealers,
>first experience with this timing belt change. Acutally had planned on
>taking to a good local independent shop, Autobahn Performance, but
>logistic (i.e., availability of a free dealer loan car for two days
>combined with my work schedule) forced me to use the dealer one mile
>from the house.. The service manager is really nice and gave me
>discounts on the part I didn't buy from Carlson (v-belt) and labor
>discount based on the description below. This service manager knows
>about this list and the prices Carlson & Clair offer.
>
>They quoted me a four hour job to change the timing and v-belt. Since I
>had the water pump, this went into unchartered waters. None of the
>mechanics had done the complete job on an S4 before.  The independent
>shop had told me it was longer than 4 hours so I knew the dealer was
>going to be eating some labor time, or I'll get that call at work. For
>those of you not familiar, they need to take the front bumper and
>radiator off to get to the area to change the water pump, that means
>extra charges like  $30 for replacing coolant.. Changing the belts is
>actually a four hour job, add the pump and your talking more time.  As
>it turns out, they charged me for six hours, but was told it took the
>mechanic eight hours.
>
>Appreciate any others who had experience with a shop doing this job.
>
>Scott
>