So what you guys are saying is that my 03 Golf, 03 Jetta and 05 Jetta (even with the cam problems) are worth more now? That's what I am thinking...
Not necessarily. The schools of thought on this issue are:
1. The HPFP suffered many manufacturing issues that result in its demise. If your HPFP is "good", it won't grenade on you.
2. The HPFP is sensitive to poor quality fuel and it's a good idea to maintain a high level of lubricity (additives, biodiesel, etc.). Everyone's HPFP will eventually grenade unless they use biodiesel or additives.
3. The HPFP is poorly designed and will grenade for everyone, but faster for people who cause it to wear faster (lack of lubricity).
I've been gathering data to attempt to rule out a manufacturing defect. I can't rule it out yet, but the small amount of data that I have doesn't really indicate a manufacturing defect. I have failures with USA pumps and with non-USA pumps. I also have failures that occur in an otherwise highly reliable pump revision. Nothing in my data indicates anything other than a normal failure rate.
So, let's say it's not a fluke manufacturing issue. It doesn't make your older cars necessarily worth more (unless the supply goes down due to there being a larger demand), but it does make the newer ones worth less (less of a demand). Personally, I'd love to have a fleet of 06-made-in-07's which I got on the cheap when the 09s first came out, because those would definitely be worth more once this HPFP issue gets bigger.
Also - let me point out that in any case, VW should cover it under warranty unless it's the owner's own negligence or the station's negligence. But they don't, so this issue is bigger than it would be if they didn't make things a PITA.
Edit: I'd also like to add that if the pump were lubricated by our supposedly high quality engine oil, one failure mode (lack of fuel lubrication) would be eliminated (of course then you have the "starved of oil and grenaded, destroying the engine through the engine oil outlet" issue, but I think it's less likely that will happen since a sensor would surely turn the car off well before then).