[incline5]

I'm a first time Audi owner and I'm hooked for life. I purchased an 1996 Audi A4 2.8 one week ago and it's got 146,000 miles on it. Unfortunately the service records are non existent. From what I've heard I should be doing a timing belt change immediately, since I dont know if the timing belt was ever changed.

I got a quote from a local Audi dealer about the cost to replace the timing belt and water pump. I was quoted a price of $80.00 for the timing belt and $180 for the pump. Entire replacement job parts inclused was around $680.00 (6-8 hr.s of labor) I think thats way high does it really take that long or are they trying to screw me.

Should I take it to a local mechanic and have hthem do it or should this be done only by an authorized Audi shop. I live in Providence, RI if that helps.


Thanks

Bill