Can somebody tell me something?
How have VW managed to get away with doing nothing about solving this issue?

Mine doesn't work and never has done, I was told when I bought it that it just needed a re gas. Very green of me at the time.
My Touran on the other hand, 2004 2l sport, 115000 miles still going strong!
I may try and figure out how to remove the AC system to save weight, fuel and better air flow to the IC.
Sometimes VW amaze me!