I have a 2004 Volvo S60 with 107K miles here in Portland, Oregon. I called my dealer today to schedule an oil change and he said that the car is due for a timing belt replacement at 105K miles or 10 years, whichever comes first.

Cost of the timing belt service: $1300.

I understand that for this engine, timing belt failure would be catastrophic, but $1300 seems enormous for routine maintenance.

But I don't really know and my car knowledge is very limited. Does that seem reasonable or outrageous or somewhere in between?

 

I'm sure that's about right. Most of the time they do the water pump as well.

You can find another shop to do it for a little less, heck, I think www.iPdUSA.com has a shop that does tbelts. Your last option is to do it yourself.

 

My Volvo dealer quoted me ~$670 for timing belt and water pump a couple months ago. Maybe check with another dealer?

 

Sounds a bit too steep for me.

107K & 10 years for timing belt replacement also seem too long, even if the owner's manual/Volvo calls for it. Rubber parts begin to degrade after about 5 years. I would change it out at every 60,000 miles/5 years.

Shop around, and if a shop is willing to accept parts from you at no additional labour charge, you can save $ by getting parts from FCP Groton or IPD.

Neglected scheduled maintenance is one of the biggest reasons why many used cars are in such crappy conditions.

JPN

 

$1300? Better come with a vacation.

I think I paid in the neighborhood of $550-$600, timing belt and water pump from an indie shop I trust. There must be other services being thrown in as well.

 

I'm sure that's about right. Most of enough time they do the water push as well.
You can discover another store to do it for a little less, besides, I think iPdUSA has a store that does tbelts. Your last choice is to do it yourself.