I've just bought a 2000 W A3 1.8 SE, with 148,000 miles.

It had a new engine at 68,000 miles, but I've got no history of any cambelt changes. It's done 80,000 since the new engine, and the service book says 115k for cambelt change, but doesn't specify a number of years.

What's the recommended interval for cambelts in terms of age?

The previous owner left the ashtray full for me, and after reading the manual on how to remove, I thought it said pinch the sides at the hinges and remove, so I pinched and pulled quite forcefully to pull it off of its hinges. Then I realised that the tray came out of the closing mehcanism, so I emptied that, but getting the flap back into the dashboard looks tricky, especially with the closing spring dangling about there. Are there any tips on how to reassemble this? I'll have a better look in the daylight, but any tips would be appreciated.