In a message dated 98-08-13 17:13:03 EDT, you write:

<< My current VW/Gates (original) belts on my Vanagon
 have lasted 11 years / 78K miles and my original VW/Gates belts on my Jetta
 last 7 years / 90K miles.  I'm trying to find out if there is any other
 better alternatives.  Apparently not. >>

Well......here's my plug for Gates belts.
I've had very good service from Gates both in the range of belts and coolant
hoses.
So good, in fact, that I search them out when the time comes to renew either.
They're not cheap (inexpensive) but, in my opinion, well worth the cost.
In the words of Homer Simpson; "in a case like this, you go with what you
know."

Sam Bateman
Fork Union, VA
'87 Vanagon GL