LAC! VW gti 20th aniv.

[Robert M]

>From: Chris Hall <badcomrade at gmail.com>

> > ~75k Battery needs replacement.
>
>I'm surprised it lasted that long... that's no fault of VW.  Batteries
>should be replaced every 3-4 years... come on now.

     Really?  Don't tell the original factory unit in my '94 miata.  Or the 
6 year old unit that was in my Jetta when I sold it.

>
> > ~95k E-brake cable is frozen, wipes out rear brake pads/discs.  (One 
>would
> > think the operator of the vehicle would be aware of this.  One would be
> > wrong).
>
>Rusty?  Salt on the roads in the winter?  Gotta wash the underside of
>the car too... Again, not really VW's fault if that's the case.

    I guess it would be unreasonable to expect them to be able to design a 
seal system to keep water out.  Besides, who ever would have thought that 
location would get wet?  Pretty sure the cables on my '87 4kq are original.  
I know the ones in the Jetta were, as were the ones on my '87 GTI (135k/12 
years).

> >
> > ~120k Alternator needs new.
>
>Sounds about right.

    The alternator in my last 4kq was original; 210k.  The one in my Jetta 
finally needed new at ~185k/14 years.   It's not uncommon to find a Miata 
with 200k+ on the original alternator.

>
>Hope she's had the timing belt changed every 60,000 miles!

   Don't even get me started on that.   I don't find these 
maintenance/failure intervals acceptable at all.  Don't let me stop *you* 
though.   It's not that these components can't be made to last; VW are 
choosing lower priced options to keep thier costs down and maximize profit.  
  In my case at least, this has come at the cost of owner satisfaction.   
Which is more expensive in the long run?

What do you think about those Audi V6's who's timing belts are breaking 
after the warrantee but before the scheduled maintenance?

Or the fire-prone heated seats?

Coil packs?

Seems like the real mechanical bits are still solid, but the ancillary stuff 
is going downhill to the detriment of the entire package.