> Good news!  You can get a stock Bosch O2 sensor at German Parts &
> Restoration for $118 + shipping...

>  The counterman let me go through the Bosch book,
> and I could not find any generic 3-wire sensor for the Vanagon...

This is why it pays to deal with someone who knows Vanagons.  The cheaper
Bosch equivalent is not listed in any of the Bosch books, yet it does exist.
I also have the original Bosch for $118, but I have the "generic" one for
$39.95.  It has a Ford style plug.  You simply cut it off, splice on the VW
plug from your old one, and pocket the $80 savings.  The two sensors are
completely identical other than the plug.  This is for an '86-up Vanagon;
for an '83-85, the generic Bosch sensor is $10 cheaper.

- Ron Salmon
 The Bus Depot
 http://www.busdepot.com
 (215) 234-VWVW