Depending on what VW you want to get up close and personal with you may
 have to have deep pockets.  I would start out with a complete METRIC hand tool collection. rachets ( 3/8 - 1/2 ) open end/ box end , sockets and a hammer or two,  A timing light with the advance knob(very important )
     You could buy a lot of this stuff at Harbor Freight if you don't mind replacing the cheap stuff all the time or you could buy Craftman at Sears and have a tool breakage warranty on a lot of their tools. You could go crazy and run down a Snap-On , Matco  truck. Great tools Much$$$$$$$$$.  I  have a mixture in my tool box . Craftman works just fine.  
      I have given you just enough info to get yourself in trouble now. There are lot of VW special tools out there but I don't how far you want to go on servicing your VW , whatever it end up to be.
      Just remember you are just one "click" away from a lot of help and advice. Don't hesitate to ask even though you might think it is a stupid question. It might keep you out of trouble.  We all had to start  somewhere and that wasn't on page 20 in the service manual :lol:  :lol:

Yeah, what they said!

You MUST have a set of metric combination wrenches . . . Cheap ones from Harbor Freight or the local flea market will will work fine for most stuff, but like Ret. Bugtech said, Craftsman's are good.  Anything more expensive than Craftsman is overkill . . . unless you run across some old German made wrenches with off-set box ends.  I used to have some German "Gedore" brand wrenches I used at work . . . wish I still had 'em! You're hand wrench set must include an 8,10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, and 19.  Sometimes you might need two of the same size . . . your second set could be a cheap one.  If you can afford it, add a 20, 21, 22, 24, 27, 32, and 36.  If you can't afford the bigger ones, get a big adjustable.

Get a good ratchet and socket set.  Well, at least get good ratchets.  Here's a tip . . . if you get a set that includes 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive ratchet and pay less than $20 for 'em all, get a big box of knuckle band-aids and big bottle of aspirin.  Get as many sockets as you can afford!  Get a few good extensions too . . . and a set of U-joint adapters for getting at stuff at a slight angle.  The best ones are more like a CV joint than a u-joint . . . but they cost more.  Seems to be a common theme in tools . . . the better ones cost more than the crappy ones.   :wink:

 :idea:  If you are working on an old VW long, you'll run into the need for a good continuity light, and a good wire stripper/cutter/crimper and a variety of crip-on terminals.  :idea:

Of course you'll need stuff like pliers, screwdrivers, and a couple of hammers - a small ball peen and a 3 pounder.  :twisted:

You'll also need a good floor jack (a small one will do) and like SC suggested, a set of ramps and a set of jack stands . . . and a magnet-on-a-stick.  And a fire extinguisher.  Maybe two of those.  Three if you live in the “triangle.”  You have to read the “Help With A Slow Starter” thread to understand that one!   :lol:

If you end up with a late bus, in addition to the standard stuff these are nice to have:

- Corbin ring pliers for removing the oil filler neck. You can use vise grips or whatever, but the ring is so high tension it's nice to have the right tool so it doesn't snap off when you're trying to put it on or remove it.

- Fuel line clamp, it beats shoving a pencil in the end of the hose when you're changing the fuel filter or fuel lines. And you will be changing fuel lines.

- A good multimeter, especially for fuel injection components. Bonus if it also measures tach/dwell.

- Vacuum gauge, fuel pressure gauge also for fuel injection.

- Bentley manual, last but not least.

Don't be afraid to shout out for help on here, we all need help at some point or another and the people in this club are never afraid to lend a hand, some advice, or a wrench.

Precisely why i keep my self around, Scott...... :lol:

But yeah, i'd do the basic metric starter set up from Craftsman, jack stands, floor jack, multimeter, test light, and a FIRE EXTINGUISHER.... try not to go overboard, build up the tools gradually and you won't end up with a bunch of stuff you have no need for.... A common mistake for many starting out is to overbuy.

Last, To repeat what Zen said, always ask when in doubt.

Tain't  no such thing as "too Much" jack stand.  I have a real "Jones" about having a wheel less auto getting up close and personal with my body. :shock:

You can never over think when it comes to a VW...

A tolerant siginificant other, a family with a sense of humor and a bottle of the very best (if you have any money left) Tequila whatever you can afford and 1 shot glass..Happy Halloween

You forgot the gas can and a Bic Lighter :lol:  :lol:

Tain't  no such thing as "too Much" jack stand.  I have a real "Jones" about having a wheel less auto getting up close and personal with my body. :shock:

right.  I think I might have gotten taken by a sweet sale and a nice box...  
Our local sears and tractor supply co are right next door to one another, so naturally I checked both places.  Sears had a deal on a 3 ton pair of craftsman stands.  Now that I have them home, I am noticing the fine print:
they are 3 ton combined, per pair.  
The manual also says that they are made to support only one end at a time and they may fail if I used them with another pair.  
Is this normal?  What if I wanted to put the whole thing up?  Most importantly, should I feel ripped?  3 ton was the largest at either store, but tractor supply sold individual 3 ton jacks - not 3 ton "pairs"