Hi,

I am new to all this, and need help.

I am about considering purchasing a 72s beetle (advert here). It is supposed to be in almost rust free condition (guy says surface only...with small one near rear pillar)...(I can hear you all laughing from here) But the guy is giving me a run down of the problems. It appears he is about as technically minded as I am (doh) so between us we know zilch.

He starts by making disclaimer...car is tired (it's over thirty yo. most are). It's a good driver (he uses it at moment) but it is tired. No rust underneath to be seen. Inside needs work, and new tyres all round. In addition we need a new front windscreen (has stone chips).

The big thing he thinks that needs attention is that where the struts anchor or meet the wheel base, the top of it has cracking paint, and so he thinks this might be a big job, but he is unsure.

Now, as I said, I have no idea. Elects and interior are my thing.

With exception to the strust thing, I like the sound of what he is saying (especially rust free) about the rest of car.

However I need price of replacement parts, and where I get what I need. (So I know if it is worth purchase, or is I should move on)

I am going down tonight, so may post pics....but knowing me, I will just be so excited to have beetle, I will end up purchasing on site (Damn that impulse buying gene!)

So liek I said (man I get wordy) I need to knwo how much the following is to fix...and what to look for when I go...and where I can get car when I bring it home.

Windscreen
Headliner
Tyres (not wheels...keeping whats there)
Perhaps back drivers pillar panel(not sure it comes off(not sure if it is top or bottom of water line)
And the strut thing??

Cheers
Donna

PS: My son is considering wrecking his 7s beetle (if he can't get part necessary for it. So if he were to sell old motor...apparently reconditioned by previous owner (but I have no receipts to prove this) how much could he sell it for. It is from a 71s beetle. 1600cc

Dona,
I am guessing its the 72 bug down the gold coast? I think if you asked herbie, he may be able to help look at it with you to see some of what there was wrong.

Anyway, when he says struts anchor or meet the wheel base, I have to ask, front or rear? (I am guessing struts are shock absorbers). Is he talking about cracks where the front shocks attach to the front beam assembly (the top bit bolted to the car) or where they bolt on at the bottom? If the rear, again, top or bottom of shock? Are the cracks on the shocks or where they bolt on?

Shocks you should be able to get four new ones for around $300 ( +/- $100 depending on quality). If its the front beam, then you should be able to get a second hand one for about $300 depending on type and availability (there always seems to be one or two for sale here on the forum) Where it gets interssting is if the cracks are on the rear frame, that way out of my league, but I think it would be repairable to a welder who knew what they were doing.

Got any pics? or a better description?

super bugs have macpherson struts penguin and the top mount attaches to the body not the shock towers like on a beam front end beetle.

if there are cracks in the actualy body and not just the paint i wouldnt buy it as this would weaken your front suspension and thats not something u want to happen.

i suggest u take up on penguins idea and get someone who knows to look at it with u and point out whats wrong and whats good about it.

Nick

Could just be that the paint is old and brittle, and the body flexing has cracked it ?

Superbugs are not the worlds most rigid up front, and can flex around a bit.

Short answer - crack in paint are just cosmetic, but cracks in the metal underneath would need immediate repair.

Try and see the car with someone a bit more mechanically minded and find out if the metal is cracking (bad) or the paint is cracked only (OK).

If the price is right it might still be worth it.

The very lovely man said it was on the front ones...at the top.

We had a lovely chat about the car. He told me everything he could think of that is bad with it...I wonder if he is talking me out of it....And he even bumped the price down further without me asking him to do it.

I think if the only things wrong are the things he told me, then it is a pretty godd buy really (we have anothe r71s we're doing up as well.

But he seems to feel guilty about selling it....I think he'd rather give it away because he can't imagine someone actually wants it.

It was funny, he could not believe VW patrons went to the hassle of helping heim advert here...hehe....for which I am grateful.

Anyway, I am beginning to ramble.

So what about the front windscreen....any ideas?

Donna

Thanks Nick and Doug,
Knew someone would answer this query eventually Don't know jack abt Macpherson strut bugs so have gone looking a bit.

Okay,
have looked at the VW Drivers Club inside a bug pics. From what I saw it looks like the struts attach through(?) the front guard area to the main body? correct?. Could this not be either repaired or strengthened by a (good) welder? then certified?


Front screens are simple to get and (I cheat and have someone else do this bit) install so thats no real worry.

I'd see if anyone down the coast who knows VWs and macpherson struts could swing by and check it out for you, specifically looking at the front end.

Thanks for your help guys...

I spoke to Anthony who saw the car, and he said not to panic. He said if there are cracks in front top, then they can be welded. He had to do something similar to herbie.

I have friend who is an engineer who said it shouldn't be a HUGE thing, but may need to be reinforced, which eh can do for me.

So cheers and thanks for all the help.

Donna

I was thinking about having a look at taht on the weekend, but bought some new wheels instead.

Something things to look at on the supers (some of which you mentioned)

-the rear c pillar, near the end of teh guttr normally gets rust bubbles from teh inside out. not structual, just cosmetic. just need to sand blast, weld up and repaint
-the struts connect to an area on the inner gurads. this could be cracked. will need welding. i also run a strut brace here to help strengthen the area (try and get some pics)
- new windscreen should not be a problem, cost not sure, never had to replace mine
- you will probably need to replace all 6 front bushes and mabye a new set of shocks for the front. they always seem to be bad.
- unless allthe ball joints and above mentioned bushes are good, you will get the "super shimmies"
- also open the boot, above the fuel tank, where the "pod area" connects onto the fire wall (will have to reach foward over the tank) normally has Rust holes and this is normally the cause of the leaks into the cabin (I have never seen a super without rust here)
-tires, used to run cheapy nankang's.

have fun!!

Mine didnt have rust there !!!! - but that was the only spot it didnt have rust !

Yeah, the bushes - make sure you put Nolathane bushes in - they arent expensive, but make a big differnce. I've had to do both ball joints, all the shocks and most of the bushes in the front end. I think I still have a couple left to replace in there somewhere....

you must be lucky. I have seen over 20 supers that have rust there (until it was fixed)