I'm going to tackle the wires and plugs using the intake off method. Yes, Yes, I've read the threads on doing it without pulling the intake, coat hangers, wife's little hands, etc., etc. My fat hands can't get it done and I'm doing a bunch of things anyway while it's off.

Question is, should I preventatively replace the coil packs while I've got it all off? I'm not getting any faults or rough idle, etc. Just replacing based on age but engine only has 79K miles.

 

Personally it’s not an item I’d change on spec. If one fails I don’t think it will leave you stranded, and new ones aren’t necessarily better than your old tried and true units.

 

After having to replace them a month after doing the heads I'd say yes bur she's a 1999 with 240k and counting we've owned 9 months or so and it's a DD.

We knew zero about the service history.

Cheap Amazon replacements did the trick. I normally don't use cheap electronic, like the maf (used vw part number) but these seem to get great long term reviews.

 

I have a set of Magnecor 7mm wires I’ll send ya if you want. They only have about 10k miles on them. I ended up installing the coil pack relocation kit last month which use different length wires. Just pay for shipping and they’re yours

 

Wow, you're awesome. I'll send you a pm