My fiance and I picked up a New Beetle last week for a reasonable deal in private sale. Low-ish miles for the year ('99 with 85.5k). She's been using the fit while I hitch rides to and from school, or walk, but I want my baby back, and the cons of racking up mileage for both of us on one car is something I wanted to avoid (her commute is 40 miles + per day, 5 days a week - mine is 5 or so).
Anyway, I've gotten on the newbeetle.org and vwvortex.com forums, but since a lot of you honda folks are car savvy regardless of make/model, any input or experience you've had with VW AEG 2.0L FI motor would be great.
We've got a grocery list of items to address - some I can tackle, others I'm not so sure about. Here's where we are at now.
Car came home 10/3/08.
10/4-10/5 - changed air filter (cracked and deteriorated like you wouldn't believe) changed cabin pollen filter (more pollen, leaves, dirt, etc. then filter really - wasn't changed since the car rolled off the lines in '99)
changed oil - valvoline synthetic blend. Don't hate, we're tight on funds and for the mean time, while the car gets some work done, I think it's better to use cheaper oil (it has a slow leak on the valve cover) in case we go through it faster. Later I'll be going to Mobil1 Full Syn. like on the Fit.
Changed trans. fluid to 75W-90 full syn. gear oil. World of difference there. New wipers, and a nice wash. Car sat with only a couple start up/drives since 9/27/07.
10/6 - brought car to local mechanic for once-over. The mileage means it's due for some big things - timing belt, tensioner, and water pump. But, upon visual inspection our mechanic said it's not in impending doom just yet, but wouldn't hurt to do it all in the near future for peace of mind (I agree - I'm researching whether or not I'm capable of this - I've chatted online with several VW owners who have and if you're patient and competent, you can save hundreds).
10/7 - at mechanic's advice, car went in for 4 new tires (old ones still had okay tread but were severely dry rotted from sitting so long) and rear brakes (new pads/rotors). I would have done the brakes but we got a deal, and they were shot - and I wouldn't have been able to get to them myself for another week or maybe more. I don't want my fiance driving 40 miles a day without proper safety.
10/8 - Tommorow, I have an appointment with the local VW dealer. The catalytic converter on this model year was prone to rattles and resultant failure due to metals/ceramic loosening up and falling off. VW extended the warranty on the cat. to 10 years/100k miles, and the tech I spoke with said despite us being secondary owners, it could/should be covered. Otherwise we're looking at $1260 for an OEM cat. This brings up a question to those exhaust savvy folks out there. My mechanic told me that these particular cats are very expensive because only an OEM VW one will do. He said aftermarket ones on the 2.0L AEG VW motor will throw CELs and most probably fail. Despite that he quoted me $620 if I choose aftermarket from a local company, but it'd be 50/50 whether it'd work or not. I'm not sure I buy into this yet. Either way, I'm waiting to see if the dealer will replace the cat per VWs TSBs and recalls.
Last thing on the list - A/C Compressor. I'm hopeful I can take care of it, otherwise it's 500$ parts and labor. But we're putting it on hold for now because fall's coming and we'll just open the windows/vents for the time being and pretend there's no A/C or defrost (since mechanic said defrost turns compressor on... any insight to this anyone?)

Oh, last routine maintenance thing: I'm changing the spark plugs, wires, and valve cover gasket (causing the aforementioned oil leak) in the next week or so. It's got a slightly rough idle - not too noticeable but it's there - and I suspect this will cure that. While the previous owner was pretty well kept with maintenance records, his service intervals and "pick/choose" method of doing repairs wasn't so hot. It appears the plugs and wires, at 85.5k are still original from the factory!!!! :-(

SO - I know there are more reliable makes on the road, and some may say adding a german to the family (I'm 100% Honda, but tolerant of all :-) )is blasphemous. My Fiance wanted a car that fit her personality, and she's wanted one since she got her license so many years ago. If the shoe fits, wear it.
We knew it'd need some work, and I'm sure learning a lot about Farvegnuten and good ol' German Engineering/Ingenuity (or occasional lack of).

Will post photos sometime. They (The Fit and Bug) look nice together in our driveway at any rate 8-).

And thanks in advance for any useful/helpful commentary anyone provides!

 

yah, a/c issues are pretty common on eurocars, imho. some have leaks at the evaporator and can cost into the $K's for repair.

hope you get that taken care without too much pain. and congrats to your new
car. :)

 

Ughh. Good luck. My mom had a 99 GLS we bought in 98. Bunch of random problems
- Both window regulators went out 4 times on each side. Each time you have to drill out rivets to replace them.

- All the plastics inside the car that were grey rubbed off to black. The headliner started to fall down at 50k

- CEL since a few months of owning the car. Kept bringing it in. It would always come back. So we just left it on.

- A few power trunk latches

- Odd taillight problems. It went through bulbs often.

- MANY headlight bulbs due to the stupid DRL's. We disconnected them.

- A/C went out

- Radiator fans went out (NOT CHEAP)

- Comfort Control Mod went out. This controlled EVERYTHING. Exterior lights, radio, brakes, signals, A/C controls. We jumped a bunch of fuses to drive the car daily.

- Trans started to slip around 80k.

Then the car was traded in for her tC. :D

 

These are all typical problems with VW bulls***.
+rep to Ray's mom for getting a tC.
NEVER in my life will i EVER own a VW. They are the worst pile of german engineering (or lack there of). Sell the Beetle and buy another honda, cuz pretty much any VW is a money pit. At least you got the 2.0 and not the dreaded 1.8T that clogs itself with oil until it kills itself.
VWs are prone to weird electrical issues that are difficult to resolve. They put stuff in the worst locations. Interior plastics are crap. The DRLs ruin bulbs because the Bulbs they take are only rated for 100 hours of use. THE BEETLE WAS NEVER MEANT TO BE MADE ON THAT CHASSIS. It's actually the Jetta/Golf platform with a Beetle body. In fact, engine space is so tight the 98s had issues with the battery exploding from excessive engine heat. That's why they have plastic shields everywhere. Don't bother trying to change the Battery quickly, you'll end up killing the nearest living thing.

How do i know this??? I work on them for a living.

 

Do the timing belt. 85k is a good ballpark for autos. 70k for MTs.
BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY.

Wires and plugs are a good thing to do if they're the originals. However, i doubt this will solve your rough idle. These cars are prone to vacuum leaks. Check all RUBBER and PLASTIC hoses and housings. Sometimes check valves on the PCV system fail too. ALSO, look on the left side of the motor just above the Transmission. There should be a plastic flange with radiator hoses coming from it. Coolant flanges on 2.0s and 1.8s are NOTORIOUS for leaks. It has an oring that wears out and the flange drips coolant onto the trans.
Just some things to look out for :D

 

Post pics of the Beetle and Fit together please:)

 

that makes two members that have a fit and a bug in the driveway!

my wifes is an 08 though, and will more than likely be trouble free.

i think 99 was the first year they came out...and if the 06 civic has had issues, i can only imagine how older vw's do.



me? i'd love to own another vw.

 

It's a love it or hate it type car - despite this (And I wanted to get a second honda...) my fiance has wanted a bug since they came out - we got a decent deal and there's only been a few hiccups. There are cheaper cars to maintain for sure, but there's worse options too. Thanks to everyone for their input though.
Originally she wanted a vintage one, but parts/care there would be even more - and then there's reliability - at least the new ones are water cooled vs. old school air cooled. (If you want to talk about overheating...)
Anyway - finished up the valve cover gasket, plugs and wires. Got a new OEM Cat for free because VW put a recall/extended warranty on it.
Air bag light is on - check the info on it and it means the airbag could deploy in low speed impacts... At least it's still functionally - better then it not going off at all I suppose (It'll be addressed in due time)
Next on the agenda is A/C compressor, and the whole TB, Tensioner, and WP replacement. Just sourcing parts and finding the time - I'm guessing a weekend max.

I've got all the TSBs and Recalls VW has put out for that model year and I'm pretty sure the dealer hates me - we've gotten about 1600 worth in fixes/repairs for zero cost. And I keep calling/going in with the bulletin and referring to it so they don't give me the run around. Plus, I like the freebies they give to customers while we wait.
Leaks have stopped and the hoses/fittings look well enough for an 8 year old car. Despite the car sitting for 1 year prior to us purchasing, the maintenance up to that point on the previous owner's part was good.

Buffed out a lot of the smaller scratches - it'll take a little more effort on some of the bigger ones, but mechanics before aesthetics.

Since changing everything out (filters, fluids, plugs, wires) it's like night and day with idle, ride, and acceleration.

Pics will be up soon as we get a chance; The lady and I have such opposite schedules by the time we're home sleep is the only thing we think about.

 

Sorry, but if it's good enough for a 911, it's good enough for me.

air cooled ftmfw. ;)

 

As a long time VW driver/fan ( have 2 now and have owned dozens ), a previous New Beetle owner, and a former VW salesperson and sales manager, I wish you the best. If you own a Honda, you'll have something to run to the parts store with, to pick up the significant other when dropping the Beetle off at the shop. You'll be fine as long as you have a Honda in the household as well to depend on. The 98 and 99 Beetles were the most trouble prone years by far, I hate to tell you. The diesel TDI models were better in many regards over the gas cars. Owning a New Beetle is fun, they are a hoot. Having an oil well on your property to provide income to maintain it may come in handy, if you have one.

We had a 2000 TDI for about 3 years and loved it.

Good luck with the NB. I've had the itch to get one for my wife for a while now, and the older ones ( 98-00 ) are getting affordable used. Based on my experience at VW dealerships from 99-05, have not been brave enough to pull the trigger on one, yet. They're kind of a 50/50 in that era. Either you get a pretty good one, or one that is spawn of the devil. Hopefully you got the former.

www.vwvortex will be useful to you if you are not already familiar, new beetle forums...oh, I see you are familiar with vortex...

as will www.1stvwparts.com

Oh, and keep in mind, VWs are tricky. They only break down in certain situations. Like when you are 50 miles from home and forgot your cell phone. Or when you left your wallet on the counter. Or when you are late for an important function and HAVE to get there on time. They never break down casually, when it would be no big deal. ;>)