A3 Jetta Core Support Differences

[PradoTDI]

Last weekend I had an unfortunate incident with a Bighorn Ram, resulting in the need for a new passenger fender, hood, core support, headlight, radiator and AC condenser for my '97 Jetta TDI. Luckily I have a lot of parts left over from when I parted out my last '97 Jetta, but still need to find the fender, hood and core support. I know the fender and hood are the same across models, but is there any difference between the core support for the various engine options in a MK3? For example, if I find someone parting out a 2.0 or VR6, would that core support bolt into my TDI?

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• PradoTDI
• Sep 7, 2021

 

[garciapiano]

Should be identical for all the A3 Jettas. Only euro models had different radiator supports, bumpers, etc.

 

[oilhammer]

ETKA only shows one "front frame" for the A3.

 

[PradoTDI]

Excellent, that's exactly what I had hoped to hear. Gas engined models are a lot easier to find around here.

 

[Steve Addy]

Golf / Jetta the same.... any Mk3 produced to 12/98 (sold as 99) are all the same.

All MK3 US core supports were metal, the Euro versions were plastic with built-in fan shrouds...

Steve

 

[PradoTDI]

Golf / Jetta the same.... any Mk3 produced to 12/98 (sold as 99) are all the same.

All MK3 US core supports were metal, the Euro versions were plastic with built-in fan shrouds...

Steve

Even better, I can expand my searches to include Golfs too!

 

[PradoTDI]

Found a core support and RH headlight assembly from a 1998 Wolfsburg Edition Jetta, they bolted right up! Just need to find a hood and grille now. The fender wasn't as bad as I thought, so I'll leave it unless I come across an undamaged one. I was surprised how easy it is to tear down the front end of a MK3.

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• PradoTDI
• Nov 29, 2021

Amazingly, the AC condenser wasn't punctured, but it was the same shape as the radiator. Both got replaced from the stash of parts I have left over from my previous '97 TDI.

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• PradoTDI
• Nov 29, 2021

 

[garciapiano]

Finding non-dented hoods and non-cracked grilles is getting harder by the day.

 

[PradoTDI]

Finding non-dented hoods and non-cracked grilles is getting harder by the day.

Absolutely. The car I got the core support from was complete, but had a big dent in the hood and a dent in the passenger fender, just like mine. The grille was busted up and held in with wire. I think I have a lead on a hood and grille, hopefully they're in decent shape.

 

[Steve Addy]

Finding non-dented hoods and non-cracked grilles is getting harder by the day.

Finding body parts in general is getting tough, at least in the mid-west. I've been hunting for a 98-99 Mk3 white passenger fender for some time now to no avail.

Steve

 

[garciapiano]

There are pretty clean cars out here in the California junkyards. It’s one of the few (increasingly diminishing) benefits of living in this state.

I will keep an eye out for anything good if I come across one.

 

[PradoTDI]

I've come across a few whole parts cars that people want to get rid of, but only one white one and it was rusty. The junkyard selection where I am is pretty sparse, and I don't want to deal with a whole car just to get a couple of parts. An ad on craigslist got me the core support and a lead on a hood, so hopefully it can turn up a fender too!

 

[kzoc]

Finding body parts in general is getting tough, at least in the mid-west. I've been hunting for a 98-99 Mk3 white passenger fender for some time now to no avail.

Steve

Did you lookout the WrenchAPart in Austin, TX? I'm off for the next 4 days and have time only hands...

 

[Steve Addy]

Did you lookout the WrenchAPart in Austin, TX? I'm off for the next 4 days and have time only hands...

Austin is a bit of a trip for me right now.

Steve