We got some warm weather here in NJ last weekend and this was the first time Ive seen the temps go over 200 sitting in traffic. It normally runs at 195 so is it safe to assume that I do not have a 180 stat in the car? I could have sworn the PO (adrenaline junky was/is his username) said he put a 180 thermostat in it when I bought it. I could be mistaken though.
So assuming I dont have the 180, any other things I should be doing while Im in there replacing the stat? Also, best place to get a TDi one?

 

Regardless of if he did or didn't I would install the TDi thermostat. It's the grey one.

Motorad made a 180 thermostat(white one), but long story short they are prone to fail. Sometimes they stop opening, sometimes new out of the box don't open until 195+ or at all, and sometimes the seals inside like to come apart. I have experienced it all!

You could also always do the inline thermo mod too, which has worked very well on my 04. However, replacing with a TDi thermo is much easier.

 

I'd perform a coolant flush.
Contact Lucky8 for the T-Stat.

 

^^^What he said! I experienced them all as well. 2 DOA and one stopped working after a couple of weeks.