Newbie V8 Owner in the UK

[quk@sievers.com (Phil Payne)]

In message <40.976761.700@channel1.com> cobram@Channel1.Com (Cobram) writes:

>  DML> The car has 122K on the clock and no record that the cam belt has ever
>  DML> = been changed. I have just had a full service done by B.R. Motorsport
>  DML> and = I asked them to check and replace the cam belt. They made
>  DML> inquiries with = VAG in Milton Keynes and were told that there had
>  DML> never been such a belt = in the UK (but they did quote an Audi figure
>  DML> of 14 hours labor to = replace one!).
> 
>       I found this hard to believe, maybe you misunderstood, and
>       they were referring to your particular car. I'd stay away from
>       this place, and find one that has changed these belts before.
>       From communicating with fellow V8Q owners worldwide, the
>       consensus seems to be that V8Q's are best serviced and
>       repaired by Porsche mechanics, armed with the factory service
>       manual and the necessary tools, than by Audi dealer mechanics
>       who have no experience with V8Q's. Having done a 928 Timing
>       belt, it does prepare one well for the V8Q.

Fundamentally, there simply _AREN'T_ any V8s in the UK.  I spent today helping 
the mechanics at BR Motorsport work on my car.  Just to whet your appetite they 
had a Sport in for a service and some modifications - alarm, 400bhp, that sort 
of thing.  It is the most BEAUTIFUL colour, and has a German coachbuilder's 
plate affixed.  It has 1983 documents and 6,000 miles on the odometer.  Martin 
was rebuilding the engine for most of the day - he used to build engines for 
Stig Blomqist and Michele. Tim, the other quattro expert, spent most of the day 
on my car.  We stripped and rebuilt (field overhaul!) the fuel metering head no 
less than twice, and then sorted out a few other problems.  I learnt a _LOT_ 
about fuel injection from Tim today. 

At present, there are only two places I would trust with a V8 in the UK - BR 
Motorsport and AM Cars.  And yes - they do 928s as well.
 
The comment about "not having supplied a V8 timing belt in the UK" came 
from VAG in Milton Keynes.  It seems to be literally true.
  
--
 Phil Payne
 phil@sievers.com
 Committee Member, UK Audi [ur-]quattro Owners Club