Cam sensor needs replaced on Beetle?

I am in the UK but would never, ever, consider buying a car on the net that needs work. You have to consider why the seller hasn't fixed the car himself. The likelihood is that there are more hidden problems with the vehicle. Beetles are unique cars. Only a Beetle expert can tell if the car is ok as they all sound like a box of spanners. Try to find someone who knows them, and always test drive before buying. If you don't you will be in for big trouble.

You say it runs fine,

And this "mechanic" says it's the Cam position sensor ?

no way.

the cam position sensor dictates the engines ignition timing.

if this is off the slightest bit the engine will run rough and might not run at all.

I would walk away from this vehicle.

*EDIT

Ussually older vehicles would mix the air & fuel in a carberator before the combustion process..

With newer vehicles fuel is administered (injected) to the combustion chamber seperately.

so the throttle body has to take in electronic and other information to

correspond the air supply in relation to the fuel injectors properly and also seperatly.

The cams job is mainley to opperate the intake & exhaust valves, and on newer vehicles

it has a sensor for timing the ignition (not a gear driven distibuter like older models).

If this vehicle has a compound issue between the throttle body & the cam sensor,

and this rather winds up being a problem with electronic comtrol module ( computer board)

your looking at alot more money & time correcting it.

Any vehicle for sale that you cannot drive, you should walk away from. Just look somewhere else for a car.

I would stay away from this car. Everyone I ever knew that brough a car with a problem had bigger problems. You want to buy a car with NO PROBLEMS. $2,800 is too much to throw away!!

Please keep looking.