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Volkswagen Beetle Body Work Problems
436 messages, Last post on Feb 14, 2013 at 8:33 PM
You are in the Volkswagen Beetle Forum.- Your Host is pf_flyer
What is this discussion about? Volkswagen New Beetle, Exterior, Auto Body, Paint, Convertible
#407 of 436 Convertible top-don't think of using it! by sundevil77
Dec 30, 2009 (6:32 pm)
I purchased my vw beetle convertible brand new and the top has been inoperable so many times and repaired so many times that I stopped using it a long time ago. Don't buy this car!! This is minor compared to the other issues, I have a lengthy list. My car has been in the shop for 145 days since I bought it! I finally got the time to submit a claim to BBB and lemon law.
#409 of 436 Top and Cover Plate Problems by bpaige
May 15, 2010 (11:13 am)
Have a 04 beetle convertible and already had to replace top due to back window falling out several times after dealer glued it back. Also, once the top goes down I have to wait several hours for it to go back up again. Additionally, after the top goes down, the cover plates stay up. Can't ever get those to go down until I put the top back up and then they retract OK. I have told the dealer this several times and they seem to have no trouble with any of it till this last time I had it in for the same problem and I was told they would have to replace both motors. Also my driver airbag light stays on. Dealer says the problem is in the seatbelt. All this will cost about $2000 to correct. The new top cost over $4000. I am wondering if a stronger battery might be what's needed. Any ideas?? After Road Mart put in their strongest battery for this car last year, the top and cover plates worked pretty good for a few times. I have had several VW's but am really disappointed with this one.#410 of 436 Solution by jmr49
Aug 04, 2010 (1:39 pm)
We just replaced top of our 03 Beetle Conv today. Cost of ultramax top top was $1200 and install from local auto upholstry shop was $500. Hated having to do this (top still looked new), but glass falling out. W/this top we get lifetime warranty on glass separation on 5yrs on cotton mid grade top itself. Total drive out of $1700 much less than dealer...car was garage kept. I agree VW needs to change way they do business....technology apparently exists to provide lifetime glass happiness.....can't disclose vendor but use the previous clue.....#411 of 436 Re: First top problem [hatemyluvbug] by harry53
Aug 06, 2010 (4:50 am)
Replying to: hatemyluvbug (Sep 02, 2009 1:46 pm)
I Beetle have 46,000 miles and have exactly the same problem. We need to do thing about it. Please advise me what do do. Thanks,
#413 of 436 Re: bad beetle'03 [imbatgirl] by trjr
Aug 15, 2010 (1:29 pm)
Replying to: imbatgirl (Sep 01, 2009 11:35 am)
Am having the same problems and was told that no known glue will hold glass in place for very long. Before investing in a new top (crazycrazycrazy) was wondering how your repair from '09 is holding up?
- smcclarty (Aug 15, 2010 2:00 pm)
- belaircarguy (Aug 22, 2010 4:00 am)
Replies to this message:
#414 of 436 Re: bad beetle'03 [trjr] by smcclarty
Aug 15, 2010 (2:00 pm)
Replying to: trjr (Aug 15, 2010 1:29 pm)
I replaced the entire top. That held up fine, but then the engine went out. got rid of it at that point. A previous VW, 2 years earlier, went to the shop for a month before they could figure out why it quit running and then just out of warranty, we had to replace the transmission. At this point, we had to swear off of them. We went to Toyota and never looked back. We have now purchased 3 Toyota products and are delighted with all three, one of them with 165,000 miles and no problems ever whatsoever. Sandra
#415 of 436 Re: bad beetle'03 [trjr] by belaircarguy
Aug 22, 2010 (4:00 am)
Replying to: trjr (Aug 15, 2010 1:29 pm)
I have read many complaints on the early (2003-04) convertibles and the rear window coming loose. Apparently, this is not just a VW problem, but many others also, such as BMW convertibles. It must have been a "new and improved" manufacturing method at the companies that produce the tops. In any case, it appears many owners have success by taking these car top issues to a car upholstery shop. These shops have various glues, stitching etc., and can get these windows repaired. It seems crazy that VW would suggest just replacing the entire top, but then again VW did not make the tops to start off. Try an auto upholstery shop first.
BelAirCarGuy
#416 of 436 Re: rear window [dougiebug] by hotskins2000
Aug 27, 2010 (11:26 am)
Replying to: dougiebug (Mar 07, 2008 9:55 pm)
What dealer did you get the clips from? What town and State
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