Timing belt Gates or Contitech

Gates is the only aftermarket brand I'd trust; certainly don't go store-brand (autozone, etc).

I used contitech on my E28 when i did the timing belt on it. Continental has been making automotive rubber products for forever so i trust them

The pump and belt are good. All else in the kit is chinese parts. Been working fine for a year plus for me. I upgraded to the race belt for extra longevity.

I just completed this on my '13 a few weeks back at 68,000. Belt was still in good condition but as others noted, thats not the only point of failure and my roller bearings had some excessive play so I am glad I did it given the risk of letting it go.

INA pulleys

Aisin water pump

Contitech belts.

I used a Gates timing belt and some other parts from an ECC kit (new water pump, tensioner, etc.) The timing belt looks tight and normal still

I have personally been running this one for the past 3 years with no problems. As for the belt itself, I always run a conti tech (OES) belt and never have had a issue

Mine goes naked, too. I got the fancy replacement kit from a vendor that supplied a pretty blue Gates belt. After I got it all together and running for a while I read of the horrors of Gates belts and the carnage that comes with failure. So, it goes naked and gets a look over each time the hood is open. That my reasoning.

I had that one but it never quieted down and I ended up switching to a normal belt.

Gates kevlar and tracer belt is shiaatt.