The 36K service is due on my 2.0 156, and I have noted that there is some
variance over the timing belt issue.

The dealer (Caledonia in Preston), has given me a price of £360 for the
service, but told me that they only "check" the belt, as it is replaced at
the 76K service. If I "wanted" to have the belt job done, that would be
£440 on top of the service.

Question 1, therefore, is "should they be checking or changing the timing
belt at the 36K service?"

The car is still under warranty, so I would (naively?) thought that if there
was a problem with the tensioners/belt/etc it would at least be partly
covered?

Question 2 is "if they need to replace the parts, should some or all of the
cost be covered by the warranty?"

Question 3 is "isn't (potentially) £800 a lot of money to spend to service a
two and a half year old car?"

Question 4. This is the tough one. "How do I get "executive approval"
(e.g. the wife) to swap it for a GT?"

G