VR6 Advice

[mvdi]

Hey guys, new to the forum. Just got to say it's been pretty damn useful!

Anyways, there's a vr6 that I'm going to look at. Basically it failed a road worthy because it had no horn, a leak in the coolant, an oil leak in the engine, the engine mounts need to be changed and 1 stop light is out. Basically I've offered 3500 as is which obviously means I need to get it up to scratch.

Is this a big risk to take on just for the road worthy?

Any thoughts would be awesome.

[The_Hawk]

Welcome aboard! Always nice to see another VR6 around these parts, pretty soon we will have all of them

Edit your profile and let us know what state your in, maybe a local come drop by and have a look with you.

As for taking on a risk. With a VR6 there are a range of commonly broken parts... like power windows, heater core, AC... the list goes on a little. But at $3,500 there is plenty of cash on what a good one would cost anyway.

Coolant leak is probably the crack pipe, the auxillary pump or the water pump, all relatively cheap to replace.
Oil leak... could be lots of things, gaskets aren't exactly expensive either, but you would want to check where it's leaking from.
Engine mounts are also relatively cheap.
Stop light... should be just a bulb.

What year?
How many km's? (timing chains done?)
What are the seat bolsters like?

um... I'm sure the cavalry will be here soon to offer more advice.

[mvdi]

Hey man I'm in qld. I'll get around to doing my profile soon, I promise!

It's a 94, done 250000 kms.
Most of what you wrote I already have noted. Pretty much spent the last 3 days going through everything vr6 related. This REALLY is the most helpful place on the net.
My biggest concern is the oil leak in the engine. What to look for, where to look etc.
Actually my biggest concern is I want a vr6 so bad and I could do something dumb.

[VR6child]

Have you test driven it? Does it drive okay? If yes then I'd say it sounds like an alright deal. Obviously i don't know the overall condition of the car but for $3500 it sounds decent. If the worst comes to the worst, and you have to spent say $2000 on repairs to get it up to scratch, you'll still have paid under what most VR's go for. I paid $8500 a year ago for mine.

[mvdi]

Have you test driven it? Does it drive okay? If yes then I'd say it sounds like an alright deal. Obviously i don't know the overall condition of the car but for $3500 it sounds decent. If the worst comes to the worst, and you have to spent say $2000 on repairs to get it up to scratch, you'll still have paid under what most VR's go for. I paid $8500 a year ago for mine.

On my way to drive it now.
You've pretty much quoted my feelings on it there.
God I've been waiting all week to see it, can't wait !!!

[VR6child]

Just bargain the **** outta them, as it's a buyers market at the moment. Use the problems that the car has to get the price down lower. If you're not happy with the price just walk away and don't get attatched to that particular car, VR6's aren't common but are by no means rare.

[MattyT]

Well its been a few hours since he went to look at it, howd u go??

If you do go for it, budget at least $2k for repairs and you'll be fine.

[Soundofav6]

all the problems mentioned can be fixed, as said 2000 budget and time on repair, that price is resonable I say.

I got mine for 8500 almost 2 years ago.

so how did it go today ??

[mvdi]

So I'm now a proud owner of a vr6!!! I've had a grin on my face since I bought it! So much fun to drive!
It drives well, he has replaced the air con with receipts, when he bought it. So that was a plus to find out.
I've got it booked in with Adam , a mechanic on the goldy who's number I got in the recommended repairers forum here.
So tomorrow I find out how deep the money pit is that I've put myself in.

[Bug_racer]

Make sure the chains have been done ! Ive got a stack of VR6's here with busted chain guides !

[VR6child]

Would love some pics if you have the chance, and let us know what repairs you get done to it etc.

[dubbed]

Updates?

[dottorone]

So tomorrow I find out how deep the money pit is that I've put myself in.

I've had my VR6 since mid 04. I advise you to peer over the edge of the money pit for a while before chucking in yr wallet.

If it's running ok LEAVE IT ALONE it's a VW you will only upset it by working on it.

There are cheap(er) ways to fix yr VR.
Not sure what the posting rules here are re referring to commercial sites(who reads rules...) (autohausaz) but I buy nearly all my parts from the US online.
eg. oil and air filters, plugs, ignition leads, timing chain/tensioners, clutch, belts etc.
I saved a fortune on the timing chain and clutch while I was there job - I mean I paid around 30% or less what VW quoted for the parts - and that included shipping and a fairly average exchange rate.

Other jobs I've had to do: coil pack (local second hand), ABS pump (GEEEZ hope I never do that again...local second hand...very lucky)

Good luck man, enjoy the kick at around 3500, I still do...and dude the economy u get if you cruise around in 5th is ridiculous

[AusScare]

I've had my VR6 since mid 04. I advise you to peer over the edge of the money pit for a while before chucking in yr wallet.

After reading all that I'm sorta hesitant to put my cash into a VR6.. I keep telling myself to just get a GL, then put money into handling and audio instead of a VR6 where all the cash goes to repairs.

Decisions decisions.

[Pullstarter]

You can spend just as much on a dodgy 2.0 slow as you can on a VR6. Get the car thoroughly checked by a reputable VW specialist. The most common and expensive fix on a Golf is the heater core and this can happen no matter what engine you're running.

I think you said it was a fairly cheap car? If that's the case you should expect to spend some of the money you saved on the purchase price on getting the car up to par. Golden rule is; it's a european car, none of them are cheap to fix. But, a well sorted one will outlast and outdrive a japper everytime.

See what the inspection comes up with, do some sums and see if it's worth it.