Customer Reviews

VW Golf, GTI, Jetta and Cabrio, 1999 Thru 2002, Gasoline and diesel engines (Haynes Repair Manuals)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book gives excellent details and descriptions on performing repairs, maintenance, and also has excellent safety, tool, and replacement part information to help the new mechanic famaliarize themself with the tricks of the trade. Excellent for young & old, and beginner & experienced owners. Also has handy conversion table. Be aware though, this book does NOT cover the VR6 engine! It's ONLY applicable to the 1.8T (Turbo 4-Cyl.), 1.9L TDI (Turbo Direct Injection Diesel 4-Cyl.), and the 2.0L (4-Cyl.), and NOT the 2.8L Narrow-Angle V6 engine. For those with a Jetta, this means it will not cover you for repairs on the engine in your GLX or GLS VR6. It is otherwise (even if you have a V6, the rest still applies) helpful for anything you could need really. I might recomend checking out the Chiltons, though their descriptions/directions can be kind of vague and hard to follow. Superb layout (fairly easy to find your way around), and excellent for routine, preventative maintenance if you want to keep your VW running smooth (and avoid costly repairs later on due to neglect).

This book is no better or worse than similar books. OK for most general repairs, but lacking in detail in some of the most common trouble spots on modern cars, like emission and engine control systems. "Take it to your dealer" is the last thing I want to read in one of these books. Very few people are going to dismantle their engines and hone the cylinders, so why waste so much space on that?
On the other hand, most people are going to experience a "Check Engine" light, and that is where they need the most help. The dated, generic electrical diagrams in this book are practically worthless.
Some important and frequently needed details are overlooked altogether. Like changing the bulbs on the side marker lights. It was only through fiddling around with it that I realized that the lens was spring loaded, and by pushing in and then sideways, the lens popped out of the bumper.
Go ahead, buy the book, it is way cheaper than factory manuals. But join an owner's group online. That is where you will find useful information.

I have both this book and volkswagen's service manual. If you do regular, simple maintance only, this book will suffice. If you change timing belts, serpentine/accessory belts, or more advanced work ... it will not be enough. You should buy the service manual as well. However, notice that I said "as well". It is far easier to find information quickly with the Haynes book than the service manual. But, if you need detailed drawings and explanations on how to do something, you will need the service manual. So, I use both in my garage.

Should you buy Haynes or Chilton. I'm not sure who copies who, but they are pretty much the same. Buy which ever is cheapest.

The manual is made out of cheap newspaper paper and does not include all specifics to service the top of a cabrio allthough it lists on the cover it does. Other explanations were also not very helpful, i had a broken glove compartment lock and found no guidance to open it, so ended up taking it into the dealership to avoid breaking the glovebox compartment door itself. The dealership had an easy way to open it, so i wonder why this was not documented in the manual.

I just love Amazon. I am a college student and I buy cheap books for children to encourage them to become avid readers and honor students.

As long as you know how to read, this book will turn you into a mechanic! A car will be most likely be your second biggest expense. Take the time to slowly learn how it works without having to guess. Buy this book.

Every car I own or will buy, I'll get a Haynes. I'm a female who does my own work and this is the book that can walk me through just about anything. In this economy I need to save every dime. So save some cash and try it yourself- this is the book.