Reddit reviews Volkswagen Jetta, Golf, GTI: 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 Cabrio: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 (A3 Platform) Service Manual

/u/broken_cogwheel is right on the money about the factory service manual. You need to get the Bentley manual for your vehicle if you're going to be doing any serious work on it. It details just about everything you could imagine for your car.. It's worth 10 times the $70 in just time saved not searching the internet and not taking shit apart incorrectly. Here is a used one for $50, And here is another one you can bid on. Here is a torrent for a PDF of the Bentley, although it says it's missing some pages. To be honest I would rather spend the $70 and have the complete paper version, but this may get you through your timing issue. Buy one and stop getting frustrated with random internet articles.

Also, not for nothing, but If you're going to buy a $600 German car, you're going to end up with $600 German car problems.

ah yes the mk3, my first car. First the ignition coil, they usually crack and the car wont start. So look for cracks that might give you trouble. ask if the oil pump ring has been done. look for rust on the front frame that holds up the radiator. this for the 2.0 for the vr6 ask if the timing chains have been done...its a pain in the ass. this book is valuable http://www.amazon.com/Volkswagen-Jetta-Golf-GTI-Platform/dp/0837616603