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It's strange why the high end cars like Benz, Beemer's, Acura and Audi still use the timing belt. My 1995 is equipped with a timing chain and that one less of a maintenance cost that I will have take care of.
They are using belts to make money off of the service. Chains are a thing of past and for most they last forever. I love timing chains!!
Not trying to criticize here, but this is why you should NEVER, EVER buy a vehicle equipped with a timing belt. One with a timing chain is much better b/c a timing chain will outlast the vehicle itself. There really is no excuse for a modern automobile manufacturer to still be using timing belts in their vehicles.
I hear you brother!!! Hard to find cars these days with chains though.
Everyone please list modern cars (preferably) Japanese made cars that still use Timing Chains. Yes I am looking for my next car and don't want to deal with timing belt BS!
I'll take a belt over a chain any day. In the Jetta the timing chain guides start breaking up and the chain rubs them. Makes a sound like marbles in your engine. The tranny has to be separated from the engine to replace the entire system.
Throwing a $30 belt on the car every 60k-100k miles is much easier than dealing with the timing chain and designated systems.
Not trying to criticize here, but this is why you should NEVER, EVER buy a vehicle equipped with a timing belt. One with a timing chain is much better b/c a timing chain will outlast the vehicle itself. There really is no excuse for a modern automobile manufacturer to still be using timing belts in their vehicles.
Your argument forgets to mention that timing belts do have some advantages over chains. Belts are quieter, simpler, and more efficient than chains. They are also cheaper. Yes they have to be replaced. But most of them last a very long time now - most Hondas spec 105K miles now.
In spite of their use of timing belts - Hondas and many other cars using them are highly desired and commercially very successful.
I'll take belts over chains any day. The cost to replace the belt in my car is $26 because I can do it myself. The cost to replace the timing chain and guides in my wife's VW is ~$1000 because you have to drop the tranny and I can't do it myself. Even if I could the cost of parts is around $200. You can hear the timing chain guide vanes and they are worn at 100k.
your argument forgets to mention that timing belts do have some advantages over chains. Belts are quieter, simpler, and more efficient than chains. They are also cheaper. Yes they have to be replaced. But most of them last a very long time now - most hondas spec 105k miles now.
In spite of their use of timing belts - hondas and many other cars using them are highly desired and commercially very successful.
I hear you brother!!! Hard to find cars these days with chains though.
Everyone please list modern cars (preferably) Japanese made cars that still use Timing Chains. Yes I am looking for my next car and don't want to deal with timing belt BS!
Just a personal opinion, but I would take a Milodon roller timing chain any day over a belt.... they last forever, (and perhaps when I had the serpentine belt fail on a 928, so I now have 32 bent valves as paperweights on my desk, I am a little biased). The best is true gear-drive, but it is a lot of work, as the camshafts have to be ground backwards, but you will never have to replace them again, for the life of the motor.
Be religious if your timing belt is on an interference engine, and the cost of a timing belt replacement is virtually entirely related to the model of car.
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