meltdown

iTrader: (16)

We are thinking about getting a 2002 Turbo S or GLX (turbo) New Beetle.

Each have around 120k miles on them.

Anyone know/heard how well these things hold up or last?

My Mitsu sales guy that I talk to a lot says stay away from them with over 120k but never sure if he's just trying to keep me in another Mitsu lol

turboedv6

iTrader: (10)

Those 1.8 turbos have sludge build up issues that get so bad that they clog up the oil pick up tube causing no oil pressure.

meltdown

iTrader: (16)

Any way to clean out the sludge build up without having to tear down the motor?

turboedv6

iTrader: (10)

Yeah what we do is drop the oil pan, clean out the sludge, replace the oil pick up tube, then perform an engine oil flush (yes this is a real thing). The first place that starves for oil are the cam shaft bearings, you can pop the valve cover off and remove a bearing cap to inspect it.

meltdown

iTrader: (16)

Thanks for the info!!!

So would you say they are worth it to keep up the maintenace?

turboedv6

iTrader: (10)

I'm not a VW fan but yes, keep up with the maintenance and it will be ok.

Dandbest

as with anything with 120k, you want to find the cleanest, best maintained example you can, and even then, its a german car, which means, things will break for no apparent reason, will be unreasonably expensive for oem and you'll need special tools to maintain it, again for no apparent reason.

Jdmracer

Ouch lol