I started this argument a while ago and I kinda had my point proven to me.
All major parts on the Audi and critical parts are genuines OEM spec parts, timing belt, oil filter etc all Audi parts.
however no-critical parts arent, and about a month ago I did my PAS and Alternator belts. Not to worried about a non critical belt so off I trot to the loacl well known car parts chain, dodges the bikes and bling sections, got me belts and went on my way. Both belts on (bumper and cowling already off so took minutes) corrects deflection on them all and went off happy.
Tuesday I developed a lous knocking, initally it was a tick, then a tap then a knocking under load. After my mechanic listened to it he said he'd put money on front crankshaft bearing or excessive endfloat. So looking at a £1400 bill for a new engine I pottered off home. On the way to a co-workers on Sat I suddenly have a dash lit up like an xmas tree telling me I had no alternator, traction control 4x4 or anything. Bolted to my mates and had the bonnet up.
PAS belt had delaminated, all teeth gone and was running un-true wher ethe belt had twisted, in places lust fibre helt it together. The alternator belt was shredded, totally wrecked and wrapped round all the hoses and the rad. The noise had also stopped.
Two new belts later and everything is running fine, the knocking was bits of the failing belts beating against the cowling.
Sooooo two new Audi belts on order at £1 each more than the replacement ones and I think thats is for supposeded replacement parts for me. I know of 3 other belts from this company failing in the same timeframe and at least one failing even quicker.
