Wow. Wasn't expecting such an in depth reply, thanks for all the info :)
I have just got off the phone to the local trade parts specialist and they informed me that they stopped stocking the part in 2009, I was pointed in the direction of contacting Bosch directly.
News from Bosch is they could supply the part but it would cost me the sum of £375.00 + vat, so I graciously declined and have since messaged a few people from the bay of E who are breaking vr6 golfs/Corrados.
It is my understanding that both the AAA and ABV VR6 engines that utilise a distributer both share the same part does anyone know if this is true.
I will also be contacting the above scrapyard to see if they have the part, so thank you for all the info :).
It's a shame that you can't just buy a rebuild kit for the sensor as all the mechanicals in my distributor work fine it's just the hall sensor.
Symptoms I'm getting are as follows:
Extending cranking before the engine 'catches' whilst starting.
Poor fuel economy (worse than usual ;))
And the occasional 'kick' misfire.
I have since cable tied the hall sensor in place and it has resolved all the above issues. So I know this part is the culprit. But I would like a more permanent solution over the cable tie lol.
Here's a pic of the engine in question just to give this topic something shiny to look at.
Steve