I feel for you. Been there. In 1998 we bought a brand new Passat, to replace the 1984 Passat we had bought one year old and had done very good service. But the '98 ... oh boy. I'll spare you all the details, just this: I will NEVER buy a post-90 VW again.

In '02 I got the 240 my parents bought new in '87. When I drove the fifteen year old car home, my face was just a big smile all the 500 km. No refinements, but everything I laid my hands on were built to last. Failing that, to be repaired in simple ways. I sold the Passat with a huge loss and never looked back.

Regards,
Erling.
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My 240 Page