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Volkswagen Beetle Body Work Problems

436 messages,  Last post on Feb 14, 2013 at 8:33 PM

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What is this discussion about? Volkswagen New Beetle, Exterior, Auto Body, Paint, Convertible

    

Messages Page 14 of 44

#131 of 436 Re: How lovely... [colorado1974] by p100

Oct 09, 2004 (7:01 pm)

Replying to: colorado1974 (Sep 20, 2004 8:08 am)
I have read several complaints about 1.8 l turbo engine clutches going out at 10k or 20k miles. How many miles did this loaner 2004 Jetta have on it? The most absurd thing is that in some cases, VW will not cover the clutch replacement under warranty, as it is considered a normal wear item, and to make this insult even worse, they charge about $ 2000 to install a new clutch. How can a clutch in a Jetta or New Beetle cost this much to replace? I have a 99 Mazda 626 V6 5 speed manual with a 170 Hp engine (comparable to 1.8 liter turbo engine output and hence clutch size), and the original clutch is still good at 100K miles. It would cost about $ 600 to replace it by a Mazda dealer (parts and labor).
 
I would ask VW the following question: would you consider it normal if commonly used S,T, or H rated passenger car tires wore out completely at 3000 miles if a vehicle is driven normally, tires kept properly inflated, and alignment in spec? Who in the world would buy such tires? I drive manual transmission cars and I have not worn out any clutch in any of them yet, and I went up to 130K miles in one of them, and the clutch worked perfectly. To wear out a good clutch in 10k miles, one would have to drag race the vehicle all the time or ride the clutch constantly.

#132 of 436 7700 miles by colorado1974

Oct 10, 2004 (3:46 pm)

It had 7700 miles on it. I still have a loaner car by the way.
 
I haven't made my first payment yet and the dealership has had it for 3 weeks.

#133 of 436 re: clutch failure by lngtonge18

Oct 11, 2004 (11:59 am)

I wouldn't say the 1.8 engine has a major clutch failure problem. There may have been a run of bad clutches but my mom and brother both own 01 Audi A4 1.8t and neither of them have had clutch problems. My mom's is front drive and bone stock and she has over 50k. My brother has quattro and a chip making 30 more hp (both would put much more strain on the clutch) and he has around 30k.
 
I will say that its a shame VW/Audi can't get their quality up. VW used to make good products as seen by my extremely reliable 20 yr old 84 VW GTI. I used to want a new GTI because this one has been so good, but all the owner reprots has scared me away from taking the chance.

#134 of 436 not quite 2 years by adavey

Nov 24, 2004 (11:24 pm)

nbc, gls, 2003, >16,000 miles. have had 2 trips to the shop for the airbag sensor. different problems each time. they finally got the parts for the recall and did that. the service people are nice enough, but it takes forever to get the work done. they have had to keep the car for over a week twice, just waiting for parts that they promised were coming "any day now". still like the car, but probably wouldn't buy another vw if it weren't for the ragtop.

#135 of 436 more of the same.... by adavey

Jan 21, 2005 (4:39 pm)

The airbag light has come on again (third time). remarkably the armrest lock (under which the CD player is stored) is jammed and can't be unlocked. it took them 6 weeks to get the parts... the folks are nice and all, but this seems a little over the top. the car makes me smile when i have it, but it spends too much time in the shop. a lawyer friend of mine is looking into the "lemon law" thing. anyone out there have any experience with the lemon law?

#136 of 436 ok den by cdlinz

Jan 23, 2005 (12:00 am)

i used to have a miata, which was flawless. but i needed a convertible with a backseat (my dawg insisted). after reading on many cyber auto venues all the negative crap all the vw owners went through i was really hesitant to buy a vw. who the hell wants a german car made in mexico? well, the chrysler was dorky, the solara was auto only, and the bmw/audi/saab were too expensive. so i swallowed hard and bought the vw. obviously these vehicles are hit and miss. a crapshoot. luckily mine has been a winner all the way. what a big relief and pleasant surprise. we keep waiting for something to break! yeah, the front driver's window's no pinch mechanism is a little too touchy. and the interior + exterior styling is a little too cutesy. but you are talking about a 150 hp, std. trans, 4-seat convertible, with heated seats, a push button top, auto rollover protection, a full complement of air bags and the monsoon stereo that will rock your world. all for $23k. what a bargain. bmw/audi/saab have the same electrical issues, similar interior appointments, similar power, yet cost $40k. we now have 10,000 problem-free miles on said bargain convertible. it's certainly not a miata handling wise, but it's sporty enough. and it's warm and solid as a rock. btw, here in georgia 3 out of 4 days are top down days. we're talking mid january here, and it's 65 degree top down weather. if you don't believe me, ask our lab. he's generally sitting up in the back seat 'smiling'. as for the girlie nature of the car, i'm a mud-in-your-mouth talkin', grits eatin', skoal dippin', rebel yellin' he-man in a college town overdosed on testosterone, and i'm smiling by the mile with no shame.

#137 of 436 Hopefully I'll be Lucky! by impe1595

Jan 23, 2005 (7:33 pm)

Reading some of this very disconcerting. I just bought a 2005 NBC about 3 months ago, and with 3200 miles on it, (including a trip from north GA to FL), I have had no problems thus far.
 
I wanted a PT Cruiser, or a Camry Solara but bossywife said no - she wanted one of those cute beetle convertibles. So without doing any research I bought one; if I have problems, do I get to blame them on her? I don't think so!
 
My NBC is the GLS 2.0 Auto w/ leather, XM, and the wind blocker, (which I will probably never use). My wife insisted on black with the black interior which is fine except that in some recent pictures it is difficult to see our black lab in the back seat. Pearl, that's the dog, seems to enjoy the car but gets terrified if I put the top down while she is in the back seat.
 
The gas mileage so far is less than what I expected - over the 3000 plus miles, it has averaged 28.5 mpg. I have tried both regular and premium with no appreciable difference. Almost all of my driving is at Hwy speeds of about 70/75 mph which I would like to point out is very slow in the State of Georgia.
 
For all of you who have had problems, I wish you better luck as time goes on. As for myself, since I live about 80 miles from the nearest VW dealer, if I start having monumental problems, I guess I will test the GA state Lemon Law.

#138 of 436 05 NBC 1.8L Turbo/ man by mm1117

Feb 12, 2005 (9:55 pm)

We have been looking at the new convertibles. Can't afford the BMW/Audi/MB models, didn't really like anything from Ford/GM, etc. COuldn't fit in the Miata, or the S2000. Liked the Bug, drove well, not fast, but OK. Having a back seat is nice, and being able to "fit" in the car without "unscrewing" myself out of the driver's seat. I literally had to twist myself and crawl out of the S2000! I am not that big of a guy.
  It scares me that there are so many problems that are going on with VW. We are turning in a 02 Passat GLX from a lease. They are offering a good interest rate and a$500 "loyalty" incentive. I guess I liked the fact that I could sit and not have my head bounce off the roof, that there is room to sit and not feel claustrophobic in a convertible. There really aren't many choices for convertibles in the affordable range. Might just get frustrated enough to skip it and buy an Accord. Any suggestions? I really would like a soft top car, but in light of all the negative comments, I'm not feeling very lucky. Thanks

#139 of 436 mm1117 by lngtonge18

Feb 14, 2005 (11:33 am)

If you want a convertible and are a bit scared of the VW Beetle, I would check out the Chrysler Sebring, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Toyota Solara, or Mitsubishi Eclipse. The Eclipse still requires some ducking to get in due to the rakish windshield, but otherwise, it has a good bit of room and a back seat for groceries and the occasional small passenger. Reliability is very good and the warranty is excellent. The Toyota Solara is very roomy and has typical Toyota quality, although its in the high 20k range. The Chrysler Sebring has the potential for more problems compared to the other two, but its still a relatively good car and has plenty of room. The PT Cruiser is more unique looking and has lots of room and a decent price.
 
Another possibility would be the new Ford Mustang. It's supposed to come out soon and is very nice looking. But don't expect any good deals since it will be a hot seller.

#140 of 436 To mm1117 by impe1595

Feb 15, 2005 (11:33 am)

I am the guy in message 137. I have almost always had a convertible, from a 69 DeVille to a 1999 Miata, and a bunch in between. And for those times that I did not have one, all I could think about was getting the next one. The Accord is a great car but the top does not go down!
 
Like you, I worry about the potential for problems with the VW, but it was about the only car that I and my very opinionated wife could agree on. So I took the plunge and got the NBC with the 2.0 engine and automatic, (my wife is stick shift challenged). Now with over 4000 miles on it and no problems thus far, it is growing on me. Last evening for the first time I drove it in Atlanta rush hour traffic and it was fine - kept up with everyone else; and got grins from lots of other drivers who apparently think it is as cute as my wife thinks it is, or maybe they were amused at the sight of a 250 lb man driving such a sissy car - takes a REAL MAN to drive a car this girlie.
 
Anyway, like I say, it is growing on me and I am cautiously recommending it to people who ask - and a lot of people do ask. Maybe the folks at VW have worked out the problems - I certainly hope so. But for now, life with the NBC is good, and I can't wait for spring and quick 3 day trips to Amelia Island.
 
I hope this helps a bit, and good luck to you. Let us know what you do.
 
Impe

Messages Page 14 of 44

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