Gates belt is great but I'm not convinced that anyone not tracking their car needs it. Even then, it's probably not necessary 80% of the time.
Owner reviews for timing belt
You should seriously consider replacing the belt tensioner mechanisms while doing the timing belt.
I did mine at 100k and I selected the Continental ContiTech Pro Series Plus timing kit with plastic impeller (PP334LK1) for $245.
just did my belt and everything on a mkiv with a kit from there. Good parts and continental belts
I buy continental belts, always have, just piece of mind doing the job right and having a quality part.
My 1994 Honda Prelude VTEC had its original timing belt at 242k, and had no cracking or obvious signs of wear.
An old Audi belt motor goes 240k and the belt is still holding. I had a 2013 A4 2.0 that stretched the ~~belt~~ chain* at 70k and the valves kissed the pistons.
I bought a Mitsoboshi (not misspelled) from autohauz az a bit ago and it had a more round, but not completely half moon round, tooth profile than I've seen before on Contitech timing belts.
Now, in my Aveo, I had the belt replaced when I bought it. 35k miles later, it snapped, taking the head with it.
I've had some problems with Gates for timing belts. I've had 2 instances when the timing belt was making noise after installing it, hard noise to describe, basically the belt being very hard. Threw on an OEM belt and it was fine.
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