Typically, in the life of a car, the timing chain is considered to last the full life, while a timing belt needs replacement, typically every 60k miles. This is an additional expense of ownership to timing belt cars that gives a slight advantage to timing chains, at the expense of slightly more engine noise.
Audi is a great example of expensive charges to change timing belts, A4's generally required a $1,500 service for a timing belt replacement, and TDi VW's and Audii usually required a change every 40k miles, making any potential fuel savings sort of moot when you considered the full cost to run one.
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