Saturday AM, I went back to Bob Sumerel to drop off the car and have them swap the spare back out with the original newly-fixed tire. I get a call saying they can’t find the safety lug nut “key” required to unscrew one of the five lugs. Somehow between Thursday and Saturday, I seem to have lost it. They spent this AM tearing through my trunk to find it. They then called me and I went back up and tore apart the rest of my car in an attempt to find it. No luck.

So I go back to the source: I return to my office parking lot where the flat was replaced. My colleagues and I got the tire off and had the key at that point. Maybe I dropped it in the lot? Maybe we forgot to take it off and I drove away with it on, then it fell off at some point? Regardless, not in the parking lot.

So I call a friend who drives a 2003 GTI, assuming that the lug key was the same for all Dubs. Ha! Of course not – that would be too easy. Her lug key was too big for my tires. Of course the VW dealer service shop isn’t open on weekends, so here I am, stuck with the ghetto black spare on my rear left until I can get a replacement key from the Dub dealer on Monday (if they even have it in house for me to purchase!).

Now, it’s my fault I lost the key. But what was supposed to be a safety feature just became a huge inconvenience. What really grinds my gears about the situation is that they have a different lug key for each model and year of the car. If someone really is in awe of my New Beetle’s tires to jack it up and get it off, then fine. Do it. There are plenty of car makes out there that don’t provide this “safety feature” on their tires that still manage to keep all four tires on, day in and day out. I am definitely more peeved that I can’t get my tire replaced in a 24 hr period than I am relieved that Joe Schmo can’t just come up and steal my tires due to this “innovative safety feature.” Grumble.

[PS - my personal kudos to the service gents at Bob Sumerel for being very patient and accommodating during this fantastic inconvenience. The friend who replaced my tire referred me to their Hyde Park location and they have been a delight.]

The hacked roof line combined with (what appears to be) a lower, more aggressive stance makes this baby look tough and takes a step toward emasculating the New Beetle a bit more. I really like the overall look, but I’m starting to feel that VW is riding this design a little too far out. It sounds like this design will be introduced to the marketplace in 2009, taking it well over a decade old (since Spring ‘98). But you don’t have to take my word for it (cue Reading Rainbow tune):

I still dig it though. Mainly, I’m thrilled I was able to work a Reading Rainbow reference into a post.

RABBIT

• New 170 hp/177 lb.ft torque 2.5L 5cyl engine standard on 2 & 4dr
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) now standard
• New trim level naming. Rabbit S 2dr and Rabbit S 4dr

GTI

• 15mm ride height reduction on all 2 & 4dr
• Sirius® Satellite radio now standard
• Reflex Silver is now special order only
• Climatronic deleted from all trims
• New trim level naming, GTI and GTI Autobahn

NEW BEETLE/NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE

• New trim level naming, S and SE
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) now standard
• Temporary use spare tire
• Fog lights deleted from all trims
• New 16” alloy wheel S
• New 17” alloy wheel on SE
• Delete Shadow Blue on sedan and convertible
• Delete Platinum Gray on convertible
• Delete reflex silver on convertible
• Laser blue no longer available with gray interior
• Black not available with crème top
• Delete front floor mats
• Delete Leather seating surfaces from all trims
• Delete rain sensing wipers on all trims
• Leatherette now named V-Tex
• Cold weather package available on S as stand alone option

GLI

• Reflex Silver is now special order only
• Climatronic deleted from all trims
• New trim level naming, GLI and GLI Autobahn

JETTA

• New 170 hp/177 lb.ft torque 2.5L 5cyl engine standard
• Delete 2.0T engine (only available on GLI)
• Automatic only available with SEL
• Temporary use spare tire
• Laser Blue replaces Shadow Blue
• Delete Wheat Beige
• Front and rear lower valance in black textured color on S and SE
• Body color front and rear valance on SEL
• 2.5 badge included on S
• 16” steel wheels with full covers standard on S
• Delete Climatronic from all trims
• Delete leather seating surfaces from all trims
• Power recline standard on all trim levels
• 17” wheel standard on SEL
• Delete Homelink from all trims
• Cold weather package now optional on S
• 16” alloy wheel now optional on S
• Sunroof now optional on S
• Premium sound package (includes amplifier and 250W) now optional on SE
• New trim level naming, S, SE, and SEL
• Leatherette now named V-Tex

PASSAT Sedan and Wagon

• New trim level naming, Turbo, Komfort, Lux, and VR6
• Leatherette now named V-Tex
• Temporary use spare tire
• Chrome window trim now standard on Turbo
• New 16” alloy wheel on Turbo
• New 17” alloy wheel on Komfort
• Delete Shadow Blue
• Delete Wheat Beige on wagon
• Heated washer nozzles only available on VR6
• Bi-Xenon headlamps w/ AFS now standard on VR6
• Manual side and rear sunshade now standard on sedans
• Manual side sunshades now standard on wagon
• Power 12-way driver seat now standard equipment
• Heated front seats optional on Turbo and Komfort
• Leather steering wheel now standard equipment
• Leather shift knob now standard equipment
• Delete Pure Beige leather comfort seats
• Delete gray leather and V-Tex
• New interior trim on Turbo
• 3 spoke leather multi-function steering wheel included with Lux
• Dynaudio now optional on Lux
• Adaptive Cruise Control optional on VR6
• 4Motion is only configuration available with VR6 wagon
• Manual transmission only available on Turbo

EOS

• New trim level naming, Turbo, Komfort, Lux, and VR6
• Leatherette now named V-Tex
• Lux only available with automatic transmission
• Winter starting assist mode standard on VR6
• New 17” alloy wheel on Lux
• New 18” alloy wheel on VR6
• Delete Wheat Beige
• Rear Park Distance Control included in Lux and VR6
• Chrome front grille louvers included on VR6
• Power 12-way driver seat now standard equipment
• Leather steering wheel now standard equipment
• Leather shift knob now standard equipment
• Leather parking brake handle now standard equipment
• Windblocker now standard equipment
• Ambient lighting deleted on Turbo
• Micritech interior trim now included in Turbo
• Center sliding armrest now standard equipment
• Heated front seats now optional on Turbo
• 17” alloy wheel optional on Komfort

Touareg

• New exterior colors (White Gold, Galapagos, Alaska Gray, Cranberry)
• Chrome grille with logo and chrome eyebrows standard on VR6 FSI
• Chrome matte grille with logo and chrome eyebrows, chrome air intakes, chrome grille slats standard on V8 FSI and V10 TDI Twin Turbo
• Darkened Taillights
• New, central headlights design
• Sporty, more aerodynamic rear spoiler
• Electronic Parking Assistance now standard equipment
• Power Liftgate now standard equipment
• 19″ Wheels with all-season tires optional on VR6 FSI but included in V8 FSI and V10 TDI Twin Turbo
• Larger screen for Multi-function Indicator included with optional Technologie Package
• New Option Packages
• Dynaudio now available in package for all trims
• Sirius® Satellite Radio now standard equipment
• Next generation TPMS – now standard equipment
• ABSPlus standard
• ESP Innovations standard
• New front seat design, more comfortable front seat side bolsters, new seat stitching design now standard equipment
• Gray seat trim in leather and leatherette deleted
• Silver Metallic Plastic interior trim standard on VR6 FSI with leatherette
• Servotronic steering no longer available on 3.6L VR6 FSI
• Comfort Suspension replaces Sport Suspension on VR6 FSI

Yeah, that’s the 5th Avenue Apple store(I’m such a nerd). You can pan around or move up or down the streets by using the arrows. Very cool.

Kinda makes ya wonder, how did they get those images? Our buddies over at oneighturbo.com know. Google apparently worked with a group called Immersive Media, who had a fleet of New Beetles equipped with cameras to snap the pictures as they drove about the aforementioned cities. Here’s what one looks like:

Pretty groovy, huh? Read oneighturbo’s write up here. And if you haven’t played with the Google Maps Street View, I highly suggest you do(click the Street View button at the top).

==============================
The history of my 2002 New Beetle purchased January 21 of 2002:
Warranty expired 1/21/05

*May 20, 2002: The MIL came on and though not blinking, stayed on. I called the VW dealership and took the car directly to them, as instructed. This was diagnosed in VW terms as follows:
49 WV 1.00
FC: 0129 CLAIM TYPE: W2

On the same work ticket:
GAS FLAP JUST REPLACED IF (EVAP LEAK CODE COMES UP)
___________________________________

*December 31, 2002: The headlights were not operating at all.
This cause was diagnosed as follows:
01300001 MECHANICAL, VISUAL AND OTHER NON-VAS
5051 ELECTRICAL
16 WV 0.20

A comment added:
Seats had a Protection Pack added but stained. Stain was removed.
______________________________________

*August 15, 2003: The car was dead.
This was diagnosed as follows:
27061950 REMOVE AND INSTALL BATTERY
27060040 RESTORING ELECTRICAL POWER PROCEDURE
Left front light was out:
REPLACED
The car was consistently leaking oil:
AN OIL FILTER AND WASHER WERE ADDED
________________________________________

*January 30, 2004: The MIL was on again and would not go off. The car was taken in immediately and diagnosed as follows:
19781900 REMOVE AND INSTALL TEMPERATURE SENDING UNIT
__________________________________________

*September 3, 2004: The EPC was on; the car would not come out of “park”; the clock stopped; the car was taken directly in and diagnosed as follows:
94361950 REMOVE AND INSTALL BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH
REMOVE AND INSTALL SHELF UNDER DASH PANEL
SPARK PLUGS REPLACED
____________________________________________

*December 3, 2004: Because the coolant level was consistently low, I purchased the VW coolant, according to the number written in the owner’s manuel.
____________________________________________

*April 20, 2006: The car was stuck in “park” and towed for service.
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAS OPEN CIRCUIT REPLACE SWITCH.
_______________________________________________
The only malfunctions between April and October were an air bag light that stayed on; the loss of the A/C; and the click of the blinker which sounded randomly. When I checked, I was told that those situations would not make driving dangerous. I was getting frustrated with the car’s performance but wanted to hang on to the Beetle.
____________________________________________
*October 16: oil was leaking and I took the car in. It was diagnosed as follows:
REPLACE OIL PAN VOP 4 6 CVG 2. 00 $181.99
NA OIL SUMP $213.70
SEALANT $45.24
The air bag light had to be repaired for the car to pass its next inspection:
1Y1-858-471-C-FSN BUCKLE $229.88
REPLACE SEAT BELT LOCK ON DRIVERS SIDE $156.33
REPLACE REAR REVERSE BULB $24.99
(this total including every cost listed is $1641.63)- $950. in labor/$657. in parts
_______________________________________________

October 18, 2006: The car was leaking coolant. I took it in immediately and the diagnosis was as follows:
REPLACE COOLANT FLANGE $269.99
BRAKE MOC BRAKE CLEARNER
CLIP
HOSE CLAMP
SPRING
FLUSH/REFILLBRAKE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM $76.00
MOC DOT 4 BRAKE FLUID $65.90
COOL. ADDED
———————————————————————-
October 26, 2006: The MIL came on for the third or forth time since I bought the car. I took it directly in and it was diagnosed as follows:
77538 FOUND COOLANT LEAKING A LITTLE AT THE PLUG/ SEAL IN THE FLANGE THE MIL LIGHT WAS DUE TO LOW COOLANT THE TEMP SENSOR WAS NOT READING CORRECTLY
THE CLOCK IS INOP
RESET THE CLOCK
C NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FDCI
———————————————
*October 26, 2006: According to what was found, I had the following repaired:
REPLACE WATER PUMP $ 1100.00
c/s TRANS SLIPPING $83.00
NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FDCI
_____________________________________________

*November 3, 2006:
REPLACE WATERPUMP TIMING BELT TENSIONER $745.88
WATER PUMP
TOOTH BELT
ROLLER
THERMOSTAT
WASHER
REMOVE AND REPLACE TRANSMISSION $3373.48
(the total paid is $5604.94) labor-$1696.75/ parts- $3722.09
tax-$186.10/ car rental fee: $300.
____________________________________________

*November 14, 2006: The MIL was on again. I took the car and it was diagnosed as follows:
SECONDARY AIR SYSTEM INCORRECT FLOW DETECTED TUBE HAD COME OFF PUT TUBE BACK AND TUBE LOCK INTO PLACE

(no charge/ rental 1 day cost covered by VW)
_____________________________________________

*January 8, 2007: The MIL remained on . I took the car in. They expressed uncertainty as to what the cause is and said that perhaps the catalytic converter needed to be replaced (fee:$1,000.). I declined.
_____________________________________________

*May – the car alarm activated itself twice, shocking many people in a parking lot. Next, the blinkers started blinking for no apparent reason; the ignition chime sounded every now and then, and the driver’s side window was functional only half way down. It’s a manual window and could not be rolled down. The air bag light was back on. The MIL was on too. On May 11, while driving, the engine light came on and so did its chime. Within several minutes smoke billowed from under the hood and coolant poured onto the street. I opened the hood in case of a fire and called a towing service. The car was towed to the dealership. The following was found:

PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SWITCH NEEDS REPLACING- customer declined
FUSE MELTED INTO FUSE PANEL. MUST REPLACE FUSE PANEL. ONE WIRE MISSING POWER. REPLACE WIRE.
56 CVG 2. 00 $181.99
HOLDER $133.86
FLAT FUSE
COOL. ADD $22.00
(total check written: $430.)
___________________________________________________

The MIL still comes on about once a week, stays on for several days and goes off. Other than that, the car is running well!! As an owner, I did not realize how ongoing these problems were until about six months ago- that’s when the “REAL” trouble hit. we have spent in these more recent months, $7,000 on this car. Looking at its history, there appears to be a core problem- something that the repair shop might have seen before we reached this point.

Kathryn
Richmond, VA

* From VW Press Release

The Triple White New Beetle convertible features a unique Campanella white exterior, a white interior, and white convertible roof boot. The Triple White New Beetle convertible takes its color palette from the original Super Beetle convertible of the late 70s. This modern day rendition includes 17-inch ‘Oktopus’ alloy wheels, a three-spoke leather wrapped steering wheel, white leatherette seats and center armrest.

Also included are black carpeting, floor mats and door panels along with Sirius Satellite Radio. Another distinctive feature of the Triple White New Beetle convertible is the special front seat headrests ingrained with the New Beetle convertible icon.

* Images Courtesy Auto Motor und Sport via German Car Blog

* Image Courtesy Chinanews.com.cn

I got 0% on my Golf, and have to say that I’ll honestly go no other way in purchasing a vehicle. If you’re noodling a new ‘dub, now may be the time.

It comes in red or blue, and you only have to drop $30 for one. Pretty good deal, methinks. Check out more photos and stuff over at iLounge.com.

The Fahrenheit models will have new badging and other accessories, along with a new color: Fahrenheit Orange. The Triple White Beetle, well, is all white. (You guessed that, right?) Campanella white exterior, white interior and white convertible top.

I’m hoping to get some pics of these new editions soon and will post them up just as soon as they come out.

* From the Volkswagen Press Release:

For 2007, Volkswagen will offer a lineup of special edition models with unique characteristics to create excitement in showrooms and individuality among owners. The Wolfsburg Edition Jetta, Fahrenheit GTI, Fahrenheit GLI and Triple White New Beetle convertible will build on the already great features of the standard versions of these models, with elements and design cues exclusive to these special editions.

The Wolfsburg Edition Jetta is a 2.5 L Jetta with a “Wolfsburg” badge, leveraging the brand’s German heritage. Special features include 16-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, leatherette seats, cold weather package and monster floor mats. With manual transmission, this special edition is $19,360; automatic transmission is $20,435, representing a $2,000 value when compared to a similar equipped Jetta. The Wolfsburg Edition Jetta is available in the following color schemes: silver with anthracite trim; white with beige trim; black with beige trim; black with anthracite trim; and platinum gray with art gray trim.

The Fahrenheit GTI introduces a unique, energetic exterior color – Fahrenheit orange – to this sporty, high performance hatchback. Each of these 1,200 models will come with a Fahrenheit badge and its unique limited edition number on a three-spoke perforated leather steering wheel, adding to the car’s individuality. This special edition offers European sport tuned suspension; 18-inch “Charleston” alloy wheels; “Fahrenheit” badging; heated leather sports seats; a sunroof; orange interior trim; orange stitching on the floor mats, DSG® boot, brake handle and steering wheel; and optional Sirius Satellite Radio. This special edition model is $27,665.

Similar to the Fahrenheit GTI, Fahrenheit GLI introduces a splashy color to the GLI lineup. The GLI special edition offers the same additions to the powerful model as the Fahrenheit GTI, but with an exclusive Fahrenheit yellow exterior and yellow trim and stitching in the interior. The manual transmission model is priced at $27,880 and the automatic at $28,955. The Fahrenheit GLI will also only be available in 1,200 special edition models.

The Triple White New Beetle convertible offers a new color combination that has strong ties to the legendary original Beetle. With Campanella white exterior, white interior and a white convertible roof boot, the Triple White is available with automatic transmission for $25,990. Each of these 3,000 special editions also offers 17-inch alloy wheels, a three-spoke leather wrapped steering wheel, white leatherette seats, white leatherette center armrest, black carpeting, floor mats and door panels, and SIRIUS Satellite Radio.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world’s largest producers of passenger cars and Europe’s largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, GLI, Jetta, Passat, Passat Wagon, Eos, Touareg and Phaeton through more than 600 independent U.S. dealers.

Just as the two lanes had almost become one, I hear the same screech directly to my left and the silver Beetle blazes past me, forcing me to swerve. Expecting a bleach blonde twenty something tanning saloon employee (forgive my overgeneralizations as I write this, it’s obvious that I was pretty pissed) to be at the wheel, I give the driver a good hard look as the glorified chick car breezes past me. Imagine my surprise when it turns out to be a twenty something dude. Sporting a sweater vest, black horn rim glasses and a wild nest of hair, this weezer video reject was rockin’ the fully extended left arm AND the gansta lean. That’s right. He knew he was a badass.

Well, I gotta news flash for all of you that fit this description and attempt to run a fellow VW owner off the road:

YOU DRIVE A FREAKIN’ BEETLE!!! YOU AIN’T COOL (OR MANLY) NO MATTER WHAT ENGINE IS IN IT!!!! CHICKS WILL NOT DIG YOU, AND YOU WON’T IMPRESS ANYONE!!!!

Unless, of course, you’re this guy. As I watched him shrink in the distance and fly past others, my anger turned to pity. This dude obviously has no clue. I feel sorry for him, and only hope that he finds this post and realizes the err of his ways. And a word of advice to everyone else: don’t try to run any black Golfs off the road in Cincy. I WILL write about you.

Pretty hot. I might hit that except for the hefty price tag: £1,499.99, or $2831.23. Ouch!! Oh well. Maybe you well-off hipsters can snag one of these babies. :D Read more about it here.

Pink, pink and more pink. Hot pink. Barbie logos. Pink lugnuts. What more could a girl want? To be sold only in the Mexican market, just 13 of these cuddly coches will be produced at a cost of $24,368, or 262,500 pesos.

Is it typical that Volkswagen owners are generally Mac users, or is it the other way around. Mrad and I are both avid Mac users since we’re in the creative field. I recently switched over to a Macbook Pro from years on a PC at work… Mrad will be getting his shiny new Mac Pro soon.

Maybe it’s because Volkswagen owners are attracted to a general set of design traits: clean lines, minimalism and simplicity, sleek materials, etc. Both VWs and Macs sport these traits.

What do you guys think?

Gotta give props to New Beetle owners. They’re always on the lookout for creative plate ideas. I constantly nudge our in-house Beetle owner Beckers to get “ThugBug” for hers.

EDIT:
One of our readers has sent over a photo of his plate on his 2000 New Beetle GLS TDI that runs on B100: SOYBUG.

We were sent this video courtesy of Moises Kirsch, one of our readers. Thanks Moises!

* Update: I just took a closer look at the numbers near the end of the video, and they don’t lie. It looks like the Beetle pulled a 12.5-something and the Ferrari did 14.9-something. WOW!

You gotta think though, only doing a 14.9 sec. quarter in a Ferrari is pretty sucky actually. But even so, the Beetle still rocks faces.