I wouldn't worry about VAGCOM on a 1996. that's the first yr of OBDII, even, and the engine still is sparked by a distributor. It's not essentially different from a 1975 Rabbit in the timing belt/pulleys dept.

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1985 300TD
1984 380SL
1983 280SE (full Euro, trunk triangle and all!)

Formerly owned:
1986 420SEL
1984 300D
1983 300D
1981 300SD
1976 300D