Put new batteries in it today, and fighting the stealership over the warranty on the last 2. Wouldn't you know it, she fired right up like a new truck. The 1 year old batteries were toast, but i half expect them to be just fine tomorrow when I go back to the dealer tomorrow for my refund.
In the mean time, I disconnected the cables so it won't drain overnight. Took it for a test drive, at WOT the thick black smoke is now an ugly gray-white, I know the fuel screw is too high but this pump only has maybe 30K on it, it shouldn't be due for timing yet, but apparently it disagrees.
Driving it to work tomorrow for the first time since early October, gonna be nice to be out of the Passat for a few days. Love the 40MPG, but after a year and 20K miles it still feels like a soulless rental car.