I have a 200k+ mile 80q. Last few months, every now and again would not start on the first key turn, but sounded like it would "catch" on one or two cylinders, then die. Second key turn would start it. This happened every so often, then the frequency picked up to almost every time the motor was started.
Then, one day, the second key turn didn't start it. Had it towed, and it started just fine for the mechanic. He went through it, and couldn't find any problem. Cleaned up some contacts, added dielectric grease in a few places, car ran well and started on first key turn.
For a week. Then the first key turn didn't do it, but the second did. Then another failure, and another tow. Car worked fine at mechanic's place. More replacement wire ends, diagonstic charges, car works fine as an extended loaner to the mechanic.
Get 200 miles from home. Car fails. Subsequent tow does NOT result in a successful start. Hooray! A failure to be diagnosed. Jumpering past the relay did not produce any fuel pump action. A dying fuel pump??? What a strange failure mode. All the other VAG fuel pump failures I've ever heard of are sudden, or give warning through noisiness. I have never experienced, nor heard of, a gradual failure like this.
As a car, this one has been very reliable, and quite kind to our bank account. It's even easy on gas when I remind myself to keep out of the throttle. :) $250 on a fuel pump is a little higher than I like, but I'll accept it if this one lasts for 200k miles.
E.P.