Questions about my 87 cabrio
 

So I have joined the ranks as cabrio owner, but i'm still getting to know my car better.

Its a 87 cabriolet rabbit (what previous owner told me, is that even possible?), manual transmission (prob newer), inacurate odometer, good shape all around, runs great, slightly leaky top, suspension shot and squeaky, new minor parts here and there. Previous owner left a bit of tinkering and small projects. All around solid car, just needs a little tlc.

Q 1: I don't think the engine and tranny are stock, how do i figure that out?

Q 2: I think it's german made (it came with a german plate on the front), how can i find out? And what does that mean about the car? (besides where it came from).

Q 3: I have 3 gauges in front of the shifter, what the heck are they for?

Q 4: The previous owner gave me some previosly used coil-overs for front and back. She said they would lower it and inch or two. Would this fix my squeaky suspension?

Q 5: Is this car worth keeping? I love it when it works, but am tired of cleaning up the problems left by the last owner.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

Q 1: From the Options sticker in the service schedule or the other half of the sticker will be near the spare wheel well.

http://www.liam27.com/vw/vehicle_data.jpg

Engine code: BWA Transmission code: JLW

Type in the p-codes from 3. down into VW/Audi/Seat/Škoda Option Codes Decoder to find what was fitted to that vehicle when it left the factory.

Q 2: You can find where the car was built from the VIN number the 11th character will tell you.

11 - Assembly Plant

A - Ingolstadt, Germany
B - Brussels, Belgium
C - Taipei, Taiwan
D - Bratislava, Slovakia
E - Emden, Germany
G - Steyr/Graz, Austria
H - Hannover, Germany
J - Jakarta, Indonesia
K - Karmann, Osnabruck Germany
M - Puebla, Mexico
N - Neckarsulm, Germany
P - Mosel, Germany
R - Martorell, Barcelona, Spain
S - Stuttgart, Germany
T - Kvasiny, Czech Republic
U - Uitenhage, South Africa
V - Palmela, Portugal (previously Westmoreland, USA)
W - Wolfsburg, Germany
X - Poznan, Poland
Y - Pamplona, Spain (SEAT)
1 - Gyor, Hungary
2 - Changchun, China
4 - Curitiba, Brazil

Q 3: Here these the gauges?

http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_i...0005_large.jpg

The scale will tell you what they do , Voltmeter, Turbo Pressure and Oil Temperature.

Q 4: No it shouldn't remove the squeak you have.

Q 5: Its up to you whether you keep the car its a matter does it do all the functions that you want from a car.