My VW MkIV, despite all the complaints about it, was a good car to me. I read of some of the issues it had, but all in all, either I dodged them or as some on point out, internet amplification.Euro cars peaked in the 80s and 90s. Stuff was made of METAL and made well. Slowly plastic made its way into cooling systems, induction systems, and a zillion timing chains running all kinds of balance shafts...oh an how many ball joints can we fit into a suspension? I know! 8 in the front, and another 4 in the back! So that's 12 in one vehicle!!! Yes!!
My 80s VWs had 2 ball joints, 1 timing belt, 0 rocker arms, 0 timing chains, heavy stamped steel oil pans, handled great and got a minimum of 35 mpg on cheap (87) gas. What more could you ask?
Will say, I'm bummed about VW's 1.5T. I've been looking for how to inspect their oiled timing belt (sounds oh so wrong) but not finding. Good for 120k (or 150k?) then inspect every 20k? now that seems pretty dodgy, unless if it's an easy inspection. [Going to guess, it's not an easy replacement.]