[FastCarFan]

Thanks for the comments guys. For the record, I realize my car is out of warranty. However, I also know that automakers often make "policy adjustments" for situations where they have a known product problem. I worked for an automaker for 14 years....

I have never had any clutch problems with a car before (I have been driving manuals since 1978) & I don't think a pressure plate should fail at 62,000 miles. I searched on VWVortex.com (a VW enthusiast Web forum similar to Pelican) & found a poll asking R32 owners what problems they have had with their cars. 51 out of 457 who took the poll (11%) experienced "premature clutch failure". 457 is a pretty good poll sample, considering only 5,000 of R32s were imported. It seems VW has a problem with clutches.

The poll also found 11% had radiator fan failure -- both of mine failed at 59,000 miles. The repair cost was $676, again for a problem I have never had on a car before. In this case, VW did cover 1/2 of the repair cost (out of the 36,000-mile warranty) because it was a known product problem with R32s.

So, since 59,000 miles I have had to have both front wheel bearings replaced ($562!), 2 radiator fans replaced ($338 out of my pocket) & know I am facing an $1,150 bill (after VW's assistance with the master cylinder) for a clutch problem I don't think should have happened. That's over $2,000 in repairs in less than 4,000 miles. And I had literally zero problems prior to 59,000 miles.

Thanks everyone for your comments.