Two questions...

[cicca_294]

hey guys,
so im looking at buying my first vr6,
its a local one, with 179000kms on it, but has had clutch, bushes, piping, and a few other bibs and bops changed, mechanically a1
the owner is an engineer who defiantly knows wat hes talking about.
its pretty straight, few little dings here and there, nothing to bad.

the two questions
1. before i hopefully commit, wat should i be checking slash looking out for.
like everything and anything.
watever you guys look out for, i dont care how minor,
i know stuff like clutch, windows etc etc.
anything.

and second
insurance.
how much you guys paying?

cheers
xo

[Golf Houso]

Have the timing chains been done? Otherwise don't bother with it unless it was incredibly cheap. A VR6 is about 10-15% more pricey than a GL/CL to insure, although I wouldn't bother telling you what I pay for insurance since I have one of the worst post-codes in Sydney anyway...

[Shteifen]

X2 timing chains. even if you can do them yourself id seriously just get another cor thats had them done. its a good days work, and thats working with a hoist and a full workshop.

i had a GL then my VR and with the VR i only pay another 30-40 bucks a year, i thought it woudl have been more :banana:

-steve

[RedVR6]

Check for:

Heater core not leaking?
Timing chains noisy?
ABS working correctly?
Pwr windows all working?

Anything else (and realistically even each of these things) is no big deal.

I found Shannons to be by far the best bet on insurance but it obviously depends upon heaps of factors. My ins. is about six hundge pa for a VR6 (Passat) in Melb.

[cicca_294]

whats the deal with the timing chains?
do they need to be replaced?
how much is that usually?
i did note on how quiet the car was, does that mean anything?

anything elsE?

[SpeciP3]

whats the deal with the timing chains?
do they need to be replaced?
how much is that usually?
i did note on how quiet the car was, does that mean anything?

anything elsE?

Timing chains like belts are prone to wearing and if they done break it'll be an expensive rebuild number. Also when finding out about the timing chain ask about the guides, these wear and are also expensive.
As said above heater core often fails and takes a while to replace or else is costly to have replaced.

I'm not on the mainland, but have accident history and got a few quotes here and there, shannons was about $600 with the car insured for $10k, which was not bad. BTW the online quotes are often far more than excessive than if you ring up.

[cicca_294]

Timing chains like belts are prone to wearing and if they done break it'll be an expensive rebuild number. Also when finding out about the timing chain ask about the guides, these wear and are also expensive.
As said above heater core often fails and takes a while to replace or else is costly to have replaced.

I'm not on the mainland, but have accident history and got a few quotes here and there, shannons was about $600 with the car insured for $10k, which was not bad. BTW the online quotes are often far more than excessive than if you ring up.

cheer buddy, ill get in contact with the guy,
and another thing, the dude mentioned that the springs may need replacing soon..
wat would you guys recommend and how much do they cost?

[Golf Houso]

wat would you guys recommend and how much do they cost?

Just get these instead:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/VW-GOLF-MK3-MK4-CABRIOLET-GERMAN-COILOVER-SUSPENSION_W0QQitemZ220502596354QQcmdZViewItemQQpt ZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item3356fa 9b02

you can play around with the ride height as well if you want to do that :banana: They'll cost as much to fit as replacing the springs as well, so just go the whole way!!!

[Lorenz]

Or PM Evorobin on this forum for HotTuning Coilovers which can be bought locally with local support ;)

[cicca_294]

alrite, so i spoke to the dude about the heater core and the chains,
hes an engineer, so i guess i a way i trust what he says, he seemed like a good bloke and all.

heater core "is still fine"
timing chain "looked at when the clutch was replaced, guides are first to go and there fine, if the guides are replaced when the engine is noisy the timing chains dont need replacing, mk3 hold chains when looked after arnt meant to be changed unless you thrash it."

so to me thats sounds pretty good, wat do you guys think tho?

[Golf Houso]

alrite, so i spoke to the dude about the heater core and the chains,
hes an engineer, so i guess i a way i trust what he says, he seemed like a good bloke and all.

heater core "is still fine"
timing chain "looked at when the clutch was replaced, guides are first to go and there fine, if the guides are replaced when the engine is noisy the timing chains dont need replacing, mk3 hold chains when looked after arnt meant to be changed unless you thrash it."

so to me thats sounds pretty good, wat do you guys think tho?

At that age and KM' they can turn noisy at any point, they could be fine now but tomorrow they could start to deteriorate. I'd honestly say to find another car with fewer k's or a car with similiar k's or even more but with the chains done.

[cicca_294]

At that age and KM' they can turn noisy at any point, they could be fine now but tomorrow they could start to deteriorate. I'd honestly say to find another car with fewer k's or a car with similiar k's or even more but with the chains done.

ohh **** buddy, thats really put me off.
um what if i was to take it to the local vw spastic, wayne penrose if it rings a bell for anyone.
is it something that can be foreseen?


its this one if you guys know of it:http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=7824819&keywords=vr6%20golf&tsrc=allcarhome&__Ntk=CarAll&__Nne=15&__Dx=mode%20matchany&__D=vr6%20golf&silo=1011&seot=1&__sid=122CFEC8598C&__N=1216%201246%201247%201252%201282&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_PriceSort_Decimal |1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&__Qpb=true&__Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Cr=11&__Ntt=vr6%20golf&trecs=16

[sydVR6]

ohh **** buddy, thats really put me off.
um what if i was to take it to the local vw spastic, wayne penrose if it rings a bell for anyone.
is it something that can be foreseen?


its this one if you guys know of it:http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=7824819&keywords=vr6%20golf&tsrc=allcarhome&__Ntk=CarAll&__Nne=15&__Dx=mode%20matchany&__D=vr6%20golf&silo=1011&seot=1&__sid=122CFEC8598C&__N=1216%201246%201247%201252%201282&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_PriceSort_Decimal |1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&__Qpb=true&__Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Cr=11&__Ntt=vr6%20golf&trecs=16

You'll know if the chains need doing, because they become noisy. Kind of sounds like ball bearings rolling around in a milo tin.

The 'paranoia' about chains on cars which have hit 160,000km is that on occasion the chain guides / tensioners have been known to fail prematurely.

VW don't list a service interval on the chains because they're supossed to last 'the life of the car', but if the car has done 160,000km, it's prudent to have the tensioners done (like on a rubber timing-belt car) and while you're at it, the chains too.

Anyway, the upper chain is relatively easy but the lower chain requires removal of the transmission from the motor. It sometimes ends up costing more just because it's so easy to say "while the tranny is out I might as well do xyz" - fill in the blanks. Parts are relatively cheap; it's the labor that may frighten some:

In all, changing the chain and guides end up being about 8 or 9 hours labour on the job cards I've seen - this is why some people will try and discourage you. You could always use this to help you negotiate a better price -he's asking good money for that car.

You might look at it this way: Most cars have timing belts with ~ 100k service intervals these days, and usually cost about $800 'retail' to replace along with guides, water pump, etc. The VW timing chain system has almost double that service life, is a little more costly to renew due to labor, but then you're covered for another ~ 160,000km or so.

[cicca_294]

You'll know if the chains need doing, because they become noisy. Kind of sounds like ball bearings rolling around in a milo tin.

The 'paranoia' about chains on cars which have hit 160,000km is that on occasion the chain guides / tensioners have been known to fail prematurely.

VW don't list a service interval on the chains because they're supossed to last 'the life of the car', but if the car has done 160,000km, it's prudent to have the tensioners done (like on a rubber timing-belt car) and while you're at it, the chains too.

Anyway, the upper chain is relatively easy but the lower chain requires removal of the transmission from the motor. It sometimes ends up costing more just because it's so easy to say "while the tranny is out I might as well do xyz" - fill in the blanks. Parts are relatively cheap; it's the labor that may frighten some:

In all, changing the chain and guides end up being about 8 or 9 hours labour on the job cards I've seen - this is why some people will try and discourage you. You could always use this to help you negotiate a better price -he's asking good money for that car.

You might look at it this way: Most cars have timing belts with ~ 100k service intervals these days, and usually cost about $800 'retail' to replace along with guides, water pump, etc. The VW timing chain system has almost double that service life, is a little more costly to renew due to labor, but then you're covered for another ~ 160,000km or so.

well i can defiantly tell you this is the quietest one ive heard, after seeing a few models.
buying the thing for me is a stretch as it is, so really cant afford for major work to have to be done.
i mentioned i could get in contact with the local vw dude, will he be able to see it?

[sydVR6]

well i can defiantly tell you this is the quietest one ive heard, after seeing a few models.
buying the thing for me is a stretch as it is, so really cant afford for major work to have to be done.
i mentioned i could get in contact with the local vw dude, will he be able to see it?


Well mate, there are good risks and there are bad risks.

If you think the car is in good nick and you get it inspected by someone with an opinion you trust, then it becomes more of a 'calculated risk'.

You could take a calculated gamble and be lucky that the odds are with you, or be totally unlucky. Either way, you know both sides of the situation.

I wouldn't suggest buying one of these cars unless you have a few spare dimes. They're good, solid cars, but they're getting older and can tend to drink on short runs.

Maybe consider a 2.0 - they're cheaper on parts and fuel, and generally cheaper in the market.

Either way, I'm sure if this is the kind of car you're really after, you'll make it work for yourself.