6speed tiptronic tranny----garbage

[rsousabug]

I have a 2003 bug convertible with 72k miles on it and it won't shift out of 2nd gear. The dealer tells me i need a new tranny at the cost of 6200.00 and will only be able to sell me a re-man with 1 year warranty. Vw doesn't make a new transmission because they are defective but there is no recall. I'm very lost what to do. Any suggestions?

[Smileybug]

Can you drive stick? A 5-speed manual swap is far cheaper and will also be cheaper to maintain.

[rsousabug]

Can they just be swapped out? Seems like a lot of work to change but I'll learn to drive a stick if it's possible to change easier. Right now my car is just sitting in my yard.

[DZLBUG]

This is a real easy swap on a 98-03 with the 4 speed auto, especially the TDI's because the ECU can just be recoded. A 1.8T will require a manual trans ECU (can be used) and the 6 speed auto might make some of the wiring a bit of a challenge. But it can be done and I believe it has been done before. Someone here actually did it I think, maybe someone else can point you to the thread or I will later.