Customer Reviews

Volkswagen New Beetle 1998, 1999 : Service Manual, 2.0L Gasoline, 1.9L Tdi Diesel, 1.8L Turbo

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This book is up to Bentleys usual excellant standards but contains information supplied by VW that is incomplete or misleading. Since these books are mostly composed of information sourced from the official factory publications the credit for the flawed information rests with VW.

For example:

The procedure to replace a headlamp bulb is incorrect but is the same as the information supplied in the owners manual. The book tells you to move a release lever upward and then remove the headlight case to replace the light bulb.

If you try this on an actual vehicle you will find the lever seems stuck in the down position. If you force it up you will break it off. The book and owners manual do not mention that there is a checked plastic slot just to one side of the lever that must be pushed in to release the lever.

The book and manual additionally do not mention that there is also a wire safety catch forward of the headlight assembly that must be released before the headlight assembly can be moved out of the car to service.

Also this book applies only to the 1998 and 1999 vehicles. The warning to disconnect the battery before performing any work relating to vehicle wireing should be heeded but if the system voltage drops to zero the computers on the car will need to be reset and many of these functions cannot be reset by the owner. There are significant changes in the electronic controls on the year 2000 vehicles. In year 2000 models sold in North America they may not start even with the correct key inserted because a part of the anti-theft system is triggered by a dead battery and must be reset at the dealer before it can be started.

I own a 1.8L Turbo Beetle and was disappointed to find that this book DOES NOT cover the 1.8L Turbo Models. I informed Amazon that their title is incorrect but I guess their not going to change it.

This manual contains a lot of bona-fide VW technical information. It is clearly laid out, well illustrated and a must-have for all New Beetle owners. Save yourself a great deal of time and effort - go buy the book!

-Kenny