I have an '81 air-cooled that I bought new in January
'82.  It was made in 5/81, so has a big birthday coming
up!

I have almost 140,000 miles on it, many on primitive
roads in Colorado and Utah. I have replaced the upper control
arm bushings, sway bar droplinks (several times....)
and clutch master cylinders.  Rebuilt engines, and
that's about it.  Oh, yes, a window crank(!)

I put in a VW-rebuilt engine at 103,000 miles.  It
failed from overheating at 133,000.  A Boston-Bob
engine now.  I am pretty sure the overheat was due
to the engine-body seal; at 103,000, the original
seal was turned over, but didn't seal very well.
Hindsight is so clear!  The rear deck was always
very warm after a long drive; that was my signal and
I didn't pick up on it.  A new seal with the new
engine now shows me how much cooler the rear deck
ought to be.  The fundamental rule of technical
ownership: know the characteristics and note changes!

It has been very reliable.  If you take care of it,
it takes care of you....

                              Richard A. Jones
                              Boulder, Colorado