I'm looking at an 04 New Beetle with the 2.0 engine. I've heard that by the 04 model year most of the known quality issues were designed out. Is that true? What about the excessive oil consumption issue? Water pump? Also - these use a timing belt right? What is the recommended change interval? Any thing else I should know? Thanks.

 

I haven't heard of or experienced any of these issues. The wear limit on the timing belt is 22mm wide.