Should I have the timing belt changed on my 2007 Saab 9-3 Sportwagon?

I have a 2007 1.8 petrol Saab 9-3 Sportwagon. I'm keeping it for the foreseeable future. I have just had it serviced by Kwik Fit (great value and service by the way), and they flagged that the timing belt will need changing shortly. This is recommended at six years old or 56,000 miles. My car has done 47,000 miles. Do you recommend having the work done, and what is the usual price of this work?
That baffled me at first because I thought all 4-cylinder petrol engined Saabs were 1998cc chain-cam. But from November 2003 to July 2007 Saab offered an entry level 9-3 122PS 1.8i with a belt cam Vauxhall/Opel engine, so the Kwik Fit fitters are right. The confusion is that the 1.8t is a turbocharged 1,998cc Saab engine. A proper job of belt and waterpump usually costs around £500.
Answered by Honest John on

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