>Does anyone on the list know if the WBX is held in low regard in Europe
>(Germany)?  If it isn't then what is the difference?  Better maintenance?
>Just curious because I'm new to this and was wondering if there is a
>reason for all the reported problems with this engine on this side of the
>pond, or if it is just truly a poor design (which I doubt).  Of course,
>perhaps the answer lies in the fact that the new S. African Vanagons are
>all (?) sold with the inline engines.

I asked Tony Newman, then owner of Transporter Spares in England, who
said that the wasserboxer has no problems, and scathingly said that
american's just don't maintain them.

Now, Americans in general may not understand car handling or world
markets, but I'm sure they are as up as anyone on being able to
maintain their cars!

ANY engine which is so maintenence-critical and MUST have the
absolutely correct antifreeze, has a serious design fault.

>The bottom line is I like the Vanagon and bus styles, but need something
>that isn't likely to leave the family stranded by the side of the road.
>If there is a maintenance regime that will keep the water boxer reliable
>(and maybe even improve the mileage), then I sure want to know about it.
>If I can only expect average reliability and better mileage from an engine
>swap, then so be it.

There's always the Subaru swap...
--
Andrew Grebneff
165 Evans St, Dunedin 9001, New Zealand
<andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut
Friends don't let friends do Windows