Are 01's harder to service(access to engine) than 02+'s?
 

I know the engine and drivetrain never changed in the 996tt but recently I was told that servicing a 02+ is a lot easier than 01's. It's because the 02+ engines are easier to access because you don't have to take apart the whole back end to do major services(30k). Is this true?

No. I don't think this is true at all.

Nope. Exactly the same.

Someone's blowing smoke where you don't need it...

I have done the 30k on both and they are exactly the same.

One advice I would give you as you enter the platform is to be selective about who you take the information from - there are many benefits to sharing the knowledge (whether a public forum or an acquaintance that "knows" the platform), but beware of misinformation because it can ultimately cost you lots of time and money.