THREE MONTHS PRRIOR TO THE ENGINE FIRE, A BATTERY BLEW UP IN THIS CAR AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION KEY. PRIOR TO THAT THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AND THE A/C CONDENSER REPLACED. WE BELIEVE THIS CAR HAS SOME SERIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. VW DECIDED IT WAS AN "INSURANCE" ISSUE, BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE OF THE CAR. IN SHORT, THEY ARE SAYING THAT IT IS OK FOR THE ENGINE TO BURN UP ON A 1999 CAR WITH 44,000 MILES.*AK