What do you recommend using to replace your timing belt and pulleys?

I can get OEM on Ebay for $135

Fcpeuro has Contitech "OEM" for $89 with great reviews

So far my Volvo lasted 128K without a timing belt change but I'm looking to do it this weekend.

 

Contitech is good stuff. I would not hesitate to go with that.

 

Don't forget the water pump.

Pump, tensioner, idler, belt = a complete kit.

 

I was told by both my indie and volvo dealership that the water pump shouldn't need to be replaced.

I'll most likely be doing the replacement on my own so I was trying to eliminate any excess work that didn't need to be done. How critical do you think replacing it is?

 

Probably not critical. I replaced mine each time I did the timing belt and the water pump was always still functioning perfectly. I think the reasoning was "might as well replace it while you are in there" or something like that. Who knows.

 

We don't usually recommend water pump replacement unless it's leaking or changing the timing belt for the second time. That's why the actual kit from Volvo includes just the belt, idler and tensioner.

 

This is the first time it's being changed. Car holds the fluid and hasn't had any leaks (yet) It does have 127k on the dash, with that being said should I stick with oem since it lasted up to 127k or replace it with the conititech?

 

For $46 more, I would probably recommend OEM. But Contitech is a trusted brand.