1998 Volkswagen Beetle TDI review from North America

Owning our own auto repair facility, we wanted a vehicle that was kinda trendy and new on the market at the time that we could decal with our shop info. We purchased our 1998 Beetle Turbo Diesel new. That's where the problem begins, or at least two weeks after.

The windshield cracked from the inside, the rear view mirror vibrated (and is still hard to see out of while driving) and it had a coolant leak.

Since then, under warranty, the driver's door panel has been replaced due to paint chipping off, the steering wheel replaced for paint fading, the starter, the instrument panel for inoperative fuel gage, the EGR and the Mass Air Flow sensor.

After this we have replaced the floor mats (Worn out), the glow plug wiring harness, the glow plugs, the glow plug relay, the pre heater in the effort to put out the check engine light.

After all this it had no power. It had plugged exhaust.

The hatch rattles.

We sure are glad we bought a vehicle that requires so many repairs, it's a good right off for the company! On the up side, it is kind of fun to drive (when it runs right) and the fuel mileage is awesome - again when it runs right.