Can we talk about TDI Beetles?

In reply to Curtis :

With all due respect, I've had none of those problems. And I'll take working on a Mk IV over any BMW I've owned or experienced (E30 or E36).

In reply to Ian F :

Have you personally had any unique-to-VW issues that you can remember?

I must say removal of an engine mount to change a timing belt sounds sucky

You have to remove the engine mount on the 2.0L as well. It is sucky.

I have owned my 03 Golf 2.0L for over 4 years and it has been a great car. I tell everyone that if you want a good one by a 2.0L, but I have also hunted TDi's on occasion. Avoid the 1.8L turbo.

ebonyandivory said:

In reply to Ian F :

Have you personally had any unique-to-VW issues that you can remember?

I must say removal of an engine mount to change a timing belt sounds sucky

I guess... It's a German car.  I bought the car knowing what I was getting into, but in 30+ years, I've never had a car that was "easy" to work on, so I just accept some tasks on most cars are just a PITA.  And FWIW, some of those motor mount bolts will cause you to invent new swear words... and in my case make some of my own tools to make things easier - like a cut-down deep socket. 

In reply to Ian F :

I know what you mean. Take a 90’s Bronco. Supposedly simple to work on but I remember almost being in tears over that thing.

Is there a FWD car that doesn't have the timing belt wrapped around the motor mount, besides the 4 cyl Camrys?

(I ask this question knowing modern VWs are tough to work on, and that not all, but most 4cyl transverse engines have a mount right in the center of the timing belt's run.)

In reply to wheelsmithy :

I've heard a TB on an older Civic takes like 10 minutes or something.

Ian F said:

In reply to Curtis :

With all due respect, I've had none of those problems. And I'll take working on a Mk IV over any BMW I've owned or experienced (E30 or E36).

I don't doubt that a bit.  All cars have good examples and bad ones.  I just know what our invoicing software said and recall the frequency of seeing them in our shop.  The last VW I would personally own is an A2

In reply to wheelsmithy :

My early Tiburon was easy access, no motor mount in the way.

ebonyandivory said:

In reply to Wally :

Where do you run the obligatory 6” chrome stacks?

Since it's Beetle based, the "stinger exhaust" rule takes priority.

wheelsmithy said:

Is there a FWD car that doesn't have the timing belt wrapped around the motor mount, besides the 4 cyl Camrys?

(I ask this question knowing modern VWs are tough to work on, and that not all, but most 4cyl transverse engines have a mount right in the center of the timing belt's run.)

All Ford Escorts, both the SOHC and DOHC variants.  The motor mount attaches to an arm that bolts onto the rear of the block.