Timing belt OEM FORD or OEM Volkswagen

I replaced the original belt on a 1997 ranger 2.3 last month it looked about the same and had 126,000 miles

Located in AZ. I called multiple places and the average was around $1,500 for both water pump and timing belt (dealership was over $3,000 which is insane).

I got lucky as one shop was doing a special for timing belt changes and I got both serviced for $950.

My 94 ranger had 230k on it on the original belt. Looked about like this too, sold the truck in 2018, still had the original belt on it.

My rangers belt was identical to this when I bought it at 210

Sold my 87 F150 Lariat, normal cab, 8 foot bed, 302 2 wheel drive, it had over 450,000 miles, sold it to a drummer, then he sold it to a pest exterminator company! Had 3 different radiators and 3 different alternators, timing belt replaced, otherwise pretty trouble free!

Local VW dealer did the belt, pump, rollers, tensioners with OEM parts and it cost $1700 bucks.

The timing belt, tensioner, water pump, and labor on my 15 Jetta S was 1700 after taxes as a Euro specialist mechanic in a decent Midwest city. Included 8 hours of labor @ $180

When I checked my belt at 60k miles I found it was very loose. Loose enough that I checked the camshaft timing to be sure it hadn't jumped at all. The engine ran a lot better after I adjusted the belt tension.

About 67k on the clock, 17 plate. Engine blew on a dual carriageway. Took it to a proper, full-fat Ford Dealer and Repairer to have a look and turns out, bad belt. They tried to replace the engine but they couldn't work out how to fit it, nor code it correctly. Ridiculous. Always had Fords, but this entire experience put us off them completely.

I have a lease 2020 transit, put it in for a new timing belt at 96k miles, drove a further 500miles after belt change and engine blew, found fault to be a bolt snapped on belt pulley, engine now scrap!\nThis van has full ford service history at every interval, and top-up oil was correct Castrol grade used everytime, garage told me they have three other vans in with same fault!