Mostly Harmless

Just got off the phone with the local Audi dealers. I had to call both of ‘em because the first one is booked up ’til July 2nd and I felt I didn’t really want to wait that long for my tuneup/maintenance — for reasons which will be mentioned momentarily. The second dealer can get my car in next week, and will give me a loaner too!

So anywho, the deal is that my ‘95 90 (yes "90" is the actual model, if it was a ‘96 it’d be an "A4"), is due for its 90k mile maintenance. This will apparently cost about $350. This is not too bad, I’m fine with this, I am unconcerned. (This is par for the course when you call the dealer and ask for the service department and the receptionist says "Audi, Porsche, or Mercedes?")

But…

Since someone didn’t bother to get the timing belt replaced back at 60k-75k I need to get that done (pronto). That’ll be $650-$750ish. Waiting for it to break would cost, approximately, $3,800*. So I’m thinking "alright, let’s change it, let’s change it soon."

The good news is that the 90k maintenance is one of your bigger ($$) tuneups and it’ll be 30k - 60k miles before the next biggy. There are smaller ones every 15k, and, of course, every 7.5k** you change oil (big whoop).

* According to dealer #1 who just rebuilt an engine with 91k miles on it after the belt broke. I was previously under the impression that it would cost me $750 and wouldn’t result in engine damage — that would be incorrect. ** This is in addition to the quart of oil added every 1k miles, naturally.