I'm also interested in what tools you had with you for the job. Was the car on wheels? on blocks? Was it on muddy grounds? The logistics of doing what you did intrigues me.
It's a junkyard I frequent locally, and I've been telling people about it for years, but no one seems to go. They get crush weight for the parts, so the motor/tranny and all the parts were pretty cheap since they'll still get $100 for the steel once they crush what's left. This is a normal price for motors, they quoted me $150 for a 4.3 Vortec & tranny a few years ago. I always get B4 window regulators for around $5 each, and cannot tell you how many times they've just given me stuff (like clusters, fuel pumps, coil packs, small important items) over the years. My brother even bought 4 like new 14" Altimax tires for his B4 for $30 a few weeks ago, and we'll change them out since I have a tire machine. It's where I bought the leather interior from the B4 GLX, with front heated seats (and switch/wiring) for $35. Alternators and batteries are usually $10 each, and the more stuff you buy, the better price he seems to give you. The deals that can be had are amazing, but a lot of people go there, and some are VW enthusiasts, so it's best to grab something as soon as possible. It's not a large yard, and most of the stuff is older, but it's enjoyable picking through the cars.
I usually go back every 2 weeks (on a Saturday, I work during the week and they are closed Sunday), when I have to work the weekend, since they are always getting in new cars and crushing old ones. They have the remnants of the A3 TDI, several A3 gassers, a B4 gasser sedan auto I'm going to get more parts from, and a B3 GLX that has a lot missing from it. If you need/want something and are curious, I can let you know if something is there, and if it's small, I don't mind picking it up. However, I have long since stopped spending hours in a junkyard for [local] people who won't drive over themselves to get their own parts. I learned this the hard way. It's no reflection on you at all, just in general, and I know you're a long distance away, but yanking a fuel tank, springs, or other PITA items takes more time than I care to commit (unless I'm helping the person, then I don't mind at all, so long as you buy me lunch
) So if you're looking for something specific, shoot me a PM.
It's a you-pull-it yard, so you bring your own tools and do your own work, but when they close (3PM on Sat), they are closed, even if you only have 1 bolt left to go (been there, too).
He had the car in the lot for a few months, but had no title to it, so he couldn't release the car to take parts off it. Once I saw it was out of the "hold" section, and I checked back often, I started removing the parts. He gave me a price on the motor & assembly and I paid him when the car was available. The car was on 2 wheels in a dirt lot, so I jacked it up and put it on jack stands with spare/junk tires under it for safety in case it should move. Then I just went to town with a regular tool box, unbolting what I could. It would have been nice to have help, but it was only me, and I had it out and on the trailer in 5 hours, with all the extra parts in the car (a professional mechanic I am not). I started to run out of time, so I did use the sawzall (electric, used with a small generator) to cut the exhaust pipe and the middle radiator support since I didn't want to spend the time to remove the front bumper skin to unbolt it. I took a (borrowed) engine crane with me, and several sheets of plywood to roll it around on.
If you're looking for something specific or want to visit, send me a PM and let me know, I'd be happy to meet you there if I'm going anyway.