I would imagine that it is ad reliable as any vw box . 
      The extra gears comes in before 1st and is down low and left ,like going in to reverse on a beetle .
     I had a 2WD Tristar with that combo and hated it . Normally you think that a 5th would make it a better driving rig , all it is , is a major annoyance . 
      You could get one your self or just take my word for it . 

-Stacy