VW Beetle
VW Beetle questions and answers
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Q: VW beetle?
I am thinking about buying a used VW Beetle, 2003-2006 with low mileage, convertible. Can anyone share their opinions on these cars? How is the gas mileage? We need a second car, I have an Aztek and a DEAD Ford Explorer. Comments? Thoughts? Thanks!
A: I have turbo 2003 yellow beetle, and I absolutely love it! I was tempted to get the convertible at first, but I decided against it because:
1) It has a 2 out of 5 star safety rating. It's a small car, so if you replace the dome (which absorbs the most impact like a school bus dome) with fabric, it really doesn't help you too much!
2) The gas mileage is not as good
Overall the user ratings for the VW convertible have been relatively good, and the only problem is a minor window problem.
Also, consider that it's still a german car, so matienance is more expensive for EVERYTHING.
I would consider getting the regular beetle as well. I didn't think I would ever get the regular, but I love him! He's my baby! Also think about getting the regular, turbo, or diesel. Turbo definitely takes more gas, but boy is it fun! It's a classic/fun car designed for Porsche. But however, if you go the convertible route, that's fun as well!
Q: What is the best way to soundproof a classic vw beetle?
I have a 1971 vw beetle. It has been restored by the last owner and there seems to be little soundproofing in the engine bay and there is not much on the inside. Can anyone recommend sites/give advice?
A: Hit up your local body shop supply joint for "Q-Pads". They're expensive, but they work great. Another cheaper suggestion is rubberized undercoating.
In my last Bug, I hosed down the firewall with undercoat, put on a layer of pads, then covered them with aluminum heat matting for a nice finished look. I also put pads on the inside, under the rug lining the storage bay behind the rear seat. Get under the seat as well. Undercoat inside the doors and rear side panels behind the interior panels. Hose down under the car too. Not just the floorboards, but under the trunk, fuel tank & all 4 fenders. Upgrade the carpets with some sort of thin pad (woven or foam) beneath. A new muffler couldn't hurt. Make sure your tailpipes are correctly adjusted (No, I'm not kidding. Adjusting them to the correct length reduces noise & sets the correct amount of back pressure).
Spray glue foam pad to the roof panel between it & the headliner. Shoot spray foam (Great Stuff) into the hollow rocker panels & roof ribs. If you do all this, you'll add probably 30 pounds to the car, but it'll be a lot quieter.
Remember: these cars (for all the amazing engineering that went into them) are basically just tin cans. They were designed & built to be inexpensive, not quiet & luxurious. Lots of hollow spaces. The slightest chirp or rattle gets amplified inside them.
Q: How many miles does a typical VW Beetle maintain?
I'm looking for a VW New Beetle(not the classic) and I'm hoping to find a used one that will last me through my last year of high school and college. And I need to know how many miles a Beetle's engine can take before needing serious work?
A: It's kind of luck of the draw. If you can find a diesel one, the engine will last longer. I have a diesel Jetta (same engine as the diesel Beetle) with 172,000 miles on it and it runs fine. And the increased mpg (I'm getting 47 on the highway) will way more than compensate for the slightly higher cost of diesel fuel and the extra cost of the car compared to a gas one.
But, lots of little stuff breaks on VWs. Things like the sensors to tell if a door or the trunk is open, etc. It's pretty annoying, because it seems like there's always *something* minor wrong. I'm not basing this off of just my own experience - I have 5 friends with VWs (4 of them also have diesels) and I read www.tdiclub.com a fair bit.
Q: Can a convertable part of a VW beetle be changed of painted?
How much would it cost?
Also how much would it cost to get a nice paint job for a VW beetle?
A: £450 for the roof
my respray on my karmann ghia is £2000
Q: 2005 VW Beetle - How can I get rid of the seatbelt warning?
The seatbelt warning sound in the 2005 VW Beetle is the most annoying thing I have ever heard! It even comes on while the car is OFF! I have searched forums for anyone who may know how to stop this warning sound, or at least muffle it, and I have yet to find an answer. Any answers, suggestions or references will be greatly appreciated.
A: If you mean the seatbelt chime do as one of the other guys told you by disconnecting the battery but in addition, check all fuses including engine fuses but I doubt its that. Also get someone to scan your computer with an obd 2 or i believe its a CAN scanner cable now connected to a computer scanner or get the VW dealer to scan it or if you know somebody that has VAG COM software ask them to run diagnostics and then ask them to turn off the seatbelt chime..YES ITS POSSIBLE ..good luck!
Oh and to the guy above the chime is in the dash not in the speaker..don't ask why or how but its just so.
Q: What is the best laptop mount for the new VW Beetle?
I need to mount my laptop (Panasonic toughbook) in the new VW Beetle, however I haven't been able to find one that is just right for my needs. I tried the new Ram Mount with the ball and the legs are good and everything else on it is find except the ball. It slips way too often. Anyone have something better? What do PSE&G or the police cars use?
A: Try Jottodesk.com
I got the universal mount. Works great and VERY stable and strong.
Q: Is there a specific ipod cassette adapter compatible with a VW Beetle?
I am an onwer of a 2002 VW Beetle and I am looking for a Ipod adapter that works with my car. I've tried other cassette adapters but they do not work in my car. Is there a specific adapter that I should be looking for?
A: when you put the adapter in you must press play on the radio or tape deck whatever and you press play on the ipod
if you have tried this and it still wont work see if a tape can even play on your radio
if not get a CD player with an AUX input and buy an aux cable, it has two male ends so one plugs into the ipod and one into the AUX port
if the tape does play than I am baffled sorry
Q: How can I figure out the FCC ID and HLO number for my 1999 VW Beetle?
I have a 1999 VW Beetle with a Keyfob that someone super glued the covers shut. It does not work (other than the key unlocks the doors and starts the car) so I want to get another one from eBay. But people list the FCC and HLO numbers and I don't know which one to get. Is there some place on the Beetle (computer, under dash, etc) that will give me this information?
A: 7000
Q: How hard is it to find parts for a 1974 VW Beetle?
I'm considering buying a 1974 VW Beetle that has been restored for the most part. It has 130,000 original miles on it and if I bought it it would be my everyday car. I was wondering how hard it was to maintain it and how hard and costly the parts are to find.
A: Not difficult! There are lots of aftermarket parts available.
They are for the most part not even expensive. Traditionally this has been partly due to the fact that they continued to make them in Mexico and Brazil for years after they stopped here.
It's easy to verify this by going online. You'll see several sites that sell restoration parts.
However, VW stopped making air-cooled models for Mexico (and I think Brasil), so this situation might change a bit in the future.
Q: How do you tell the year model on a vw beetle?
I have just recently bought a vw beetle with a monza body kit fibreglass gaurds etc and it has no compliance plate and the chassis number is 5425107 and it is a type 2 chassis if you could help me in ths matter it would be greatly appreciated
A: The third digit indicated year yours could possibley be a 1952==1962==1972 would need to see vehicle to know which one. If it has reduction gears that rules out 1972.
Also a beetle is a type one vehicle. Type 2 is bus truck camper or van. However a typee 2 motor is basically the same as type 1.
Q: Where can I get a bike rack for a VW Beetle Convertible?
I've called many bike shops and have been told there is no rack for my car. I have a 2006 VW Beetle Convertible and want/need a bike rack! Anyone?
A: Check out JC Whitney. One is listed in their online catalog:
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/VehicleBrowse/tf-VehicleBrowse/s-10101/N-111+2006+200729916+600001486/c-10101
Q: How much for airbag repair on a VW beetle?
The airbag indicator light on my 2000 VW Beetle indicates that my side curtain airbag (out of the leather driver seat) needs repair. Ballpark, how much will this type of repair run me? $200? $500? More?
A: It may just be a faulty sensor... Mine was. it was under warantee, so VW fixed it for free, but you might check into that.
Q: Which engine will get better gas mileage for a VW Beetle?
Which engine will get better gas mileage for a 1973 VW Super Beetle?
1500cc VW engine
or
1200cc VW engine
Oh, yeah, by how much do they differ? There is a great deal on the 1500cc, but we are looking to get the most out of the engine in terms of gas mileage also.
A: 1500 would be a good choice. Check out Thesamba.com its the biggest vw forum in the world. this isnt a very good place to ask this
Q: Can anyone tell me what kind of problems they are having with the mexican built vw beetle?
I have a German built Golf 2002, it has not had any problems whatsoever. My wife's car is a Mexican built New Beetle 2003, it has had many small irritating problems. I know all the New Beetles are made in Mexico. I have had a 1969 VW Bug and it had NO problems ever for 33 years solid running every day why the big upset with the New Beetle. Cars are supposed to be getting better....?
A: I purchased a Mk5 golf SE 1600cc in DEC 2005 from new, Manufactured in Belgium.The first year, the window motor packed up leaving window open,radiator leaked at bottom,all repaired under warranty,now the computer screen goes blank when ever it feels like it and a noise like a fast ticking clock inside thats annoying.I had previously purchased a Audi80 and a VW jetta for 20 years both manufactured in Germany with no faults at all.Next time I will make sure its built in Germany.
Q: How to change the splash sheild on a 2002 VW beetle?
I have a 2002 VW Beetle and I need to replace the splash sheild. Can anyone recommend a website and/or any advise on how to change the splash shield myself. Finding it kind of hard to find someone to do it at a reasonable cost.
A: The lower center one is held on by 4 screws the left and right sides push into place over a couple of studs. Its hard to do with the car on the ground (frontend sits pretty low). Good luck.