How much should it cost to replace the timing belt in a 2000 VW Passat?

My local Squiffy Lube place just quoted me $1200 to change the timing belt and water pump on my wife's 2000 VW Passat. There is nothing wrong right now, but I know for routine maintenance the timing belt should be changed ASAP (car has 90k miles) but I was wondering:



1 - what is a reasonable cost for replacing the timing belt



2 - Does the water pump have to be changed at the same time - I know if you change the water pump it is V sensible to change the timing belt, but I wasn't sure if the same was true in reverse.



FYI - it has the 4 cyl 1.8T engine.



Thanks!How much should it cost to replace the timing belt in a 2000 VW Passat?I always recommend to replace the water pump when you are doing a timing belt. It is worth the investment. At the dealer we charge around 1000 dollars for the parts and labor but i do some timing belt at for around 650 Parts and labor
How much should it cost to replace the timing belt in a 2000 VW Passat?
1. If you take the car to a dealership it would be easily around $1000. If however you are net savvy you could buy the timing belt kit online ( example mjmautohaus.com about $250) and take that to an independent mechanic and he would be charging something like $300-$400 or even cheaper depending on where you take it. That should save you a lot of money.



2. Do both of them at the same time. That way you would be sure if you are not the first owner. If timing belt breaks down then you are looking at bankruptcy. Volkswagens are extremely expensive to repair.
How much should it cost to replace the timing belt in a 2000 VW Passat?
sounds reasonable quote - call around for another.



you'd be a fool not to replace both the water pump and timing belt at the same time. Most of the charge is labor, and the labor is about the same for doing one or both.
Around $300 more or less. Depending upon where you live and who does it for you.