MK3 Random Thread

[milan12]

Either use 1 of the 2 from the cluster surround or just use 1. Will be fine provided the 2 connectors are in at the back

Thanks for the info.
Everything works as it should which I am stoked about. Just struggling to put the instrument cluster cover back on. Its being difficult haha.

Thanks for all the info everyone. Cars now working again

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[feenix74]

I ironically just figured it out without a guide.. o.o
What a simple car to work on haha

This is why I love the Mk3s, in my humble opinion they are the pinnacle of VW engineering - they were the last of the VW that were built to last (ie they are reliable, easy to maintain and repair).

[s]Upgrade[/s]Downgrade to a Mk4 or 5 Gti?

So corrected for you

[stefcio007]

I don't like the look of the MK5s, what were they thinking?
MK4 maybe, but DSG issues, unless they still stuck with TC? A lot of newer cars that don't use the torque converter are plagued with issues which has put me off any newer cars.
(should learn manual.........)

So quite tempted by this mid 2000s Prius which I found good reviews for and does 1,000km on one tank. Although found a MK3 2.0L which is 3.5 times cheaper!

Yeah, a lot of things on the MK3 are simple to do.

[Speed]

I don't like the look of the MK5s, what were they thinking?
MK4 maybe, but DSG issues, unless they still stuck with TC? A lot of newer cars that don't use the torque converter are plagued with issues which has put me off any newer cars.
(should learn manual.........)

So quite tempted by this mid 2000s Prius which I found good reviews for and does 1,000km on one tank. Although found a MK3 2.0L which is 3.5 times cheaper!

Yeah, a lot of things on the MK3 are simple to do.

Price the batteries for the prius and tell me you still want one

[Speed]

This is why I love the Mk3s, in my humble opinion they are the pinnacle of VW engineering - they were the last of the VW that were built to last (ie they are reliable, easy to maintain and repair).



So corrected for you

Except the electronics and vacuum lines but yeah.

[feenix74]

That is why I have such a soft spot for my low-tech agricultural 1.8l CL which I am still trying to find a way from saving from the wreckers

My wife loves the Mk5 2.0l TDI that we have bought from my brother (he was the original owner), especially the fat-bottomed look of it. I do like the nice details that they put into the Mk5 many of which have been deleted when it became the Mk6 to reduce the complexity and cost of production. I find it to be the pinnacle of VW engineering excellence but it is not really built for owners to maintain. I cannot even replace a blown sidelight bulb on it and have to get my mechanic to do it because you need either Inspector Gadget fingers or specialist tools to be able to replace it.

I do not believe that the Mk4 used a DSG gearbox, I believe it uses the same 01M auto transmission that the later (>1996) Mk3s used. If my memory serves me correctly, the DSG was introduced with the Mk5 (luckily our Mk5 is a 6 speed manual).

[stefcio007]

cool, thanks for the info feenix74, will keep scouting.

Approx $3k for batteries but since it doesn't actually use the batteries to run, just as a sort of buffer between the petrol engine and the electric one bolted to the wheels, I'm not really worried.
Some reports of them driving up to 400,000km without issues.

[Speed]

Thought the battery was for powering the electric motor or does the petrol motor charge it?

Don't really know but Geez they are ugly.

Any jap car should be reliable and toyota gave a great reputation for that. Best of luck mate

[stefcio007]

Found a nice MK4 that's the right price, has had suspension stuff done for the front end, basically the same stuff I need to do to my VR. Might be able to check it out this Monday/Tuesday. Anything I should look out for?

(I literally bought my VR on impulse and because it was red...so now I'm going to be wise)

[feenix74]

Cool, only ever drove a Mk4 for three days as a rental car while on holidays, so I do not know much about them. If my memory serves me correctly:

- they had some electrical gremlins in the early years
- there is a problem with the manual gear box where some aluminium rivets inside the gearbox shear off and damage the gears

I assume some of the guys in the Mk4 part of this forum should able to help you out with what to look out for.

Another option, but hard to find one, would be a Mk3 diesel. They are very fuel efficient and mechanically are very reliable.