Specifically, Dunn's Imports in Middleton was $2400 and slightly less was Carstar Dependable Auto in Verona. The timing belt job did not take 2 weeks, they had my car for two weeks because the shop was in the middle of a move, etc., etc. I was not happy about that but you get what you pay for. At least they did quality work. It is an 8-9 hour job. With the TB gets replaced the water pump, pulleys, tensioners, serpentine belt, thermostat, and a few other things, not to mention the bumper and radiator need to be pulled to get to it. 3-5 hours? Who is giving you that estimate? None of the 4 shops I asked could do that, and 2 of them do it on a weekly basis. $900K once every 100K miles is not what I would call a rip off. The cheapest car to own is the on that's been paid off for years. If you want to skimp on parts or pay for your wear items in addition to your new car, go ahead. It's your choice. I have no regrets about my decisions.

The OP asked a question and I answered with exactly what was asked.

Agree with most of what you say actually, the cost of maintenance doesn't decrease as the car gets older and many people who buy German cars don't allow for that. So they don't budget for repairs.

Your price for the timing belt sounds like it was calculated by adding individual jobs together rather than the whole job. This is kind of a scam.

Something our "wonderful medical system" does with some success but that's another subject.

The job is about 5.5 hours for a competent trained mechanic. About $500 in parts and fluids at list prices.

************

I had a friend get a quote for a Lexus RX 300 timing belt replacement, the Lexus dealer was $2400.

The engine in the RX is the same as the Camry and Highlander and the parts are the same.

I have done this job on our RX in 3 hours for less than $300.

Toyota dealer was running a special for $535.

If you don't want to DIY you do have to shop around.

Trust but verify!

[QUOTE=GomerPyle;24014858]Specifically, Dunn's Imports in Middleton was $2400 and slightly less was Carstar Dependable Auto in Verona. The timing belt job did not take 2 weeks, they had my car for two weeks because the shop was in the middle of a move, etc., etc. I was not happy about that but you get what you pay for. At least they did quality work. It is an 8-9 hour job. With the TB gets replaced the water pump, pulleys, tensioners, serpentine belt, thermostat, and a few other things, not to mention the bumper and radiator need to be pulled to get to it. 3-5 hours? Who is giving you that estimate? None of the 4 shops I asked could do that, and 2 of them do it on a weekly basis.

I have a 98 2.8 and with the help, guidance of a Indy on a Saturday did the above TB/waterpump/etc in less than 4 hours.Spent about 200 for parts. The rad did not have to come off.Front end was put in service position.Too bad that the 4 shops you asked saw you coming and wanted to make a big buck off you.Some customers that look like they will be a pain in the ass will get charged accordingly, happens all the time.I see the truth about the 2 week job and wonder why you even mentioned it to begin with,the way you worded it made it sound like that was a normal occurance.

The 2.8 is not what I was referring for with the TB. It was my S4. There is quite a difference.

There is a quite a difference in performance, but the timing belt job is largely the same.

Sorry I am not a mind reader and the diff in the TB job is minimal. No one asked about a S4, so why is it even mentioned by you to begin with? Stick with the A4 as that is what the OP asked about,not your personal life or S4.There is a S4 forum if you need to bump your gums about that model.Unless you live in the desert the air and cabin filters can go a lot longer than 10,000 miles,although some may be anal about that as well.Also by changing your oil on a 2.8 every 3,500 miles any name brand 3$ per quart oil will do.

If you would actually bother to read the posts, instead of trying to constantly insult me, you'd see that I was merely comparing that shopping around can and does save you money. $1400 on the A4, and $900 on the more complicated (due to more plumbing) S4 at a different shop. And as stated before, neither done at the dealership.

Where I live, by 10K miles the cabin air filter is completely black by 10K miles.

You can keep your $3/quart oil. When I was a design engineer for a mining truck company, they did the tests on standard vs synthetic oil. When the temp drops to 20 degrees or less, the conventional oil gets thicker and thicker, whereas the the synthetic keeps flowing just the same. It gets much colder than that on a regular basis here. I'll stick with my $7/quart Mobil 1 0W30.

And let's do the math. $3/3500 miles or $7/10,000. You're overpaying for oil and filters.

Okay I will get off your back after I say this. You are right about shopping around for better prices but you also said that the dealership was your choice,which is far more expensive with or without warranted parts,which would not include labor at 100 per hr.As far as the oil goes I would then say that every car you drive should be using the synthetic, so no matter what the OP buys that would be a constant expense and not be factor as to buy or not to buy a A4.
Gomer says hey

Stay with the E30
 

I've owned 3 series BMW coupes for 23 years. The E30 is the next 2002, so maybe you want to keep it. I lived in NJ and needed AWD before BMW made them and owned a few A4s.

If you wrench you can save some money, but my opinion is that you need $1800 a year to keep them rolling properly (not delaying maintenance). This is confirmed by two Audi specialists in NJ who I have used regularly. I was going to buy my son an A4, but after much thought he is in a 97 BMW 325ci with 167,000 miles.

I didn't read all the responses, but after hearing all these A4s with 260,000 miles and few repairs, I decided to post my truth and what I believe is closer to normal. Call an Audi specialist and ask them what their average customer spends....that's what I did.

CT

I used to run an '88 E30 and then switched over to a '98 A4B5 a few years back. Just could pass up getting AWD and 10 year old car (don't you just love depreciation) with just 20K miles for the winters up here.
Cost wise running a BMW runs the same as running an Audi (year for year), but they are totally different animals.
I miss the lighter weight and balance of the E30 and BMW's ingeneral. The A4 in comparison is a nose heavy design and you can feel it. However its Quattro system can't be beat.
If you need AWD then Audi would be my choice, otherwise sticking with BMW's wouldn't be a bad choice.