When to change a cambelt?

[waynne]

When would you consider the best time to change a cambelt? Most cars specify a mileage or years whichever comes sooner.

If you did say 70,000 miles in 3 years and the cam belt was officially due at 70,000 or 5 years would you chance it for example?

Has anyone ever had a cambelt snap on them?

[Prince]

Whenever the manual tells me to I suppose.

[pgarner]

its something i wouldnt want to happen to me thats why i would look at getting it done at around 50k
(think the book says 60k for the 1st them check every 20k until 120k. local suppliers couldnt find mine on the system but done a search on the a4 and it showed to change at 120k??? )

i would also rather use a genuine belt rather than a cheap one as i would rather pay out maybe £40 more for the belt than £2k when it snaps

[waynne]

My A3 has similar "long change" cycles but to be on the safe side I got mine done at 60,000 miles.

[HDi fun]

My diesel is on a 96,000 mile change!!! I think that is too far for a twin cam 16 valve engine so I gave in and got it done at 80,000. Give me chains any day.