What is the New Beetle like?

[dainese]

Hi guys,


Anyone own this or have experience with this generation beetle? In particular, a 2001 model. (Not for me of course )

Reliability?
Known issues?
Quality?

Thanks,

Justin

[rs73]

in-laws in malaysia have one...

for a start, they mentioned the dash soft touch material 'melted' so when you touch it it goes from soft touch feel to sticky feel,
and collecting lints, dust, etc on the surface.... i know in Australia we don't get constant daily 31-33C not like in Malaysia, but our summer can hit 45C at times.

the roof liner material came off/separated around the top window frame... not sure what interior colour but if they're light cream colour or light grey they're prone to get dirty and smudges.

can't comment on long term reliability, I've only driven it a few times when I stayed there over 1 or 2 weeks...
it's ok to drive but it won't be something that will light up your world (especially if you have an R32 Golf as per your sig)

[dainese]

in-laws in malaysia have one...

for a start, they mentioned the dash soft touch material 'melted' so when you touch it it goes from soft touch feel to sticky feel,
and collecting lints, dust, etc on the surface.... i know in Australia we don't get constant daily 31-33C not like in Malaysia, but our summer can hit 45C at times.

the roof liner material came off/separated around the top window frame... not sure what interior colour but if they're light cream colour or light grey they're prone to get dirty and smudges.

can't comment on long term reliability, I've only driven it a few times when I stayed there over 1 or 2 weeks...
it's ok to drive but it won't be something that will light up your world (especially if you have an R32 Golf as per your sig)

ah, thanks for the reply. standard kind of wear tear i think.
that dash material is a worry though.!

with the roof, did the material sag, or came adrift from the roof?
oh, i don't expect it to. my ex wanted one, and my gf's sister is keen on the look of them

[rs73]

err it's kind of like having your bedsheet untucked. it's where the roof lining meet the door jamb on the inside. felt a bit loose there.
might be due to age... anyway a beetle is not where you'd expect to see the same quality finish on a top line benz or bmw or audi...?

[dainese]

err it's kind of like having your bedsheet untucked. it's where the roof lining meet the door jamb on the inside. felt a bit loose there.
might be due to age... anyway a beetle is not where you'd expect to see the same quality finish on a top line benz or bmw or audi...?

haa.
oh yeah, vn commodores are notorious. AFAIK its the glue that work hardens with the heat and cold expansion. can be fixed though.

no issues with drive-train that you know of? practicality?

[Rybky]

My understanding is that the beetle shares the same chassis, engines and transmission as the MK4 Golfs and Bora's, just a different shell. So it is going to be as reliable as them and probably share the same issues too.

Adam

[dainese]

My understanding is that the beetle shares the same chassis, engines and transmission as the MK4 Golfs and Bora's, just a different shell. So it is going to be as reliable as them and probably share the same issues too.

Adam

ah yep, thats right. they look SO different, almost hard to comprehend!

thanks Adam.

[rs73]

haa.
oh yeah, vn commodores are notorious. AFAIK its the glue that work hardens with the heat and cold expansion. can be fixed though.

no issues with drive-train that you know of? practicality?

can't comment on drivetrain nor practicality - I've only been there like 1 week once a year, and probably only got 1 or 2 chances to drive it...
and probably only light shopping done so yeah hell even Smart ForTwo that they have also practical enough for a shoebox in the boot.

[dainese]

can't comment on drivetrain nor practicality - I've only been there like 1 week once a year, and probably only got 1 or 2 chances to drive it...
and probably only light shopping done so yeah hell even Smart ForTwo that they have also practical enough for a shoebox in the boot.

yeah, fair enough.

[Golf Loon]

Its like a Mk4 with blindspots and hard to access engine bay.

[dainese]

Its like a Mk4 with blindspots and hard to access engine bay.

i think that sums it up mate. thanks!

[blutopless2]

We have had a 2003 cabriolet since new and found it quite a good car. We had the window regulators replaced under warranty (common fault on the pre 2004 models) and not had an issue with them since. The cabs have had problems with the roof mechanisms not operating properly - the little wings at the side of the rear passengers dont go back correctly after the roof is opened. redesign in the 2004 model i believe removed these parts from the operation of the roof.
We have the 2.0L 5 speed manual and while it is no power house it performs quite well for its weight.
The dash is huge in them and something that takes a while to get used to... haven't had any issues with melting of the dash tho.
We changed a few things on ours such as twin reverse lights, altezza taillights, lowered suspension and custom twin exhaust pipes (one on each side)
my wife loves the car and has never regretted buying it.

oh and for more known probs etc check out the website newbeetle.org
Its US based and as they sell far more over there the problems are more well known.
hth

[barrenjoey owl]

My wife has a MY06 Miami 1.6 auto. No problems or isues, economical, easy to drive, reliable.....etc.

[dainese]

We have had a 2003 cabriolet since new and found it quite a good car. We had the window regulators replaced under warranty (common fault on the pre 2004 models) and not had an issue with them since. The cabs have had problems with the roof mechanisms not operating properly - the little wings at the side of the rear passengers dont go back correctly after the roof is opened. redesign in the 2004 model i believe removed these parts from the operation of the roof.
We have the 2.0L 5 speed manual and while it is no power house it performs quite well for its weight.
The dash is huge in them and something that takes a while to get used to... haven't had any issues with melting of the dash tho.
We changed a few things on ours such as twin reverse lights, altezza taillights, lowered suspension and custom twin exhaust pipes (one on each side)
my wife loves the car and has never regretted buying it.

oh and for more known probs etc check out the website newbeetle.org
Its US based and as they sell far more over there the problems are more well known.
hth

thanks for that. wil check it out.
it has 200k kms on it. should be weary on this one i think.

on vortex forums, it just seems a large amount of threads are on issues and noises!

My wife has a MY06 Miami 1.6 auto. No problems or isues, economical, easy to drive, reliable.....etc.

sounds good!, must be attributed to the fact that it may be an older model...

Cheers