Originally Posted By: redbone3
VW doesn't exactly encourage people to maintain their own cars. Whenever there is a choice between a standard fastener or a uncommon one, they go for the uncommon. When you open the hood all you see is a gigantic plastic cover. You have to remove a splash guard just to change the (of course "special") oil. More trouble than they are worth in my humble opinion.
Well, I always maintained my cars, and VW is very easy to maintain.
Long story short, they did not bankrupt like some companies, and I think there is a reason for that.
When it comes to "special" oil, it is not special, it is just thicker (generally better) then what you have to use in Stratus for example (which is not some reference).
Splash guard is very useful, not because it prevents water, but small rocks damaging wiring, hoses etc.
Standard or uncommon fastener. Well considering that almost all innovation in auto technology comes from Europe, I would say they are doing something right.