Auto Mk3 VR6s

[skinner]

Hey all,

Unfortunately I have to reduce my car commitments for the next 12 or so months due to a number of reasons so that means i reluctantly need to sell my Mrk 5 GTI w/ DSG : (

I've got my heart set on replacing it with a mrk 3 VR6 however because the missus can only drive an auto it cant be a manual.

Can I have peoples feedback on how the auto VR6s' drive before i go hassling someone for a test drive?

Are they still an engaging drive, or should i ditch the idea?

Thanks

[Tim]

They are a bit sluggish compared to the manual versions but drive ok until the auto trans fails leaving you with a repair bill in the thousands.

[The_Hawk]

They are a bit sluggish compared to the manual versions but drive ok until the auto trans fails leaving you with a repair bill in the thousands.

(or a conversion bill )

Have you considered a V6 Bora instead? Yes the price gets up a bit more, but it is a newer car and has the 24V VR6 engine Just another option for you.

[Mk3 AAA]

(or a conversion bill )

Have you considered a V6 Bora instead? Yes the price gets up a bit more, but it is a newer car and has the 24V VR6 engine Just another option for you.

Still doesn't solve his auto dilemma. you'd be able to get a V5 Bora in auto though.
or...um....driving lessons for the missus?

[skinner]

(or a conversion bill )

Have you considered a V6 Bora instead? Yes the price gets up a bit more, but it is a newer car and has the 24V VR6 engine Just another option for you.

Good point I didnt consider the Bora, might be worth looking at closer...They didnt import the wagon version here did they?

If not, do you know if the rear seats have the split fold (or ski hatch) arrangement on the sedan?

[Mk3 AAA]

Bora will have 40/60 split like the Golf seats, V6 Bora did not come in Auto here though, if they did there are very very few. The V5 can be auto though. OR there are some budget Audi A4s that don't look bad at all.

e.g.

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/volkswagen-bora-2001-11595010?cr=2&distance=25&vertical=Car&eapi=2&page=1&sort=~Price&__N=1216%201246%201247%201252%201282%204294962746%204294964993%201621%20244&silo=Stock&Range=Price:Min,Max~1|Mileage:Min,Max|Year:Min,Max|Seats:Min,Max|EngineSize:Min,Max

OR

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/audi-a4-1995-10953743?cr=7&distance=25&vertical=Car&eapi=2&page=1&sort=~Price&__N=1216%201246%201247%201252%201282%204294967194%204294967178%201621%20245&silo=Stock&Range=Price:Min,Max~1|Mileage:Min,Max|Year:Min,Max|Seats:Min,Max|EngineSize:Min,Max

[skinner]

Thought as much as I could find any autos in the V6 on Carsales.

Yes a B6 A4 Audi 3.0 is also on the short list.

[The_Hawk]

I didn't realise they were manual only... when I was looking I was after a manual anyway

[Jace]

MK3 auto's are actually as bad as people claim them to be.

Either teach your mrs to drive manual, get a new mrs, or find a better car to buy... just whatever you do don't buy an auto VR6.

[Ben J]

Buy manual Vr6, claim you could sware it was an auto when you test drove it, if missus fights, sell missus, supercharge vr6, enjoy.


I've heard bad things about the autos. If at any given moment you can afford to drop a couple grand to fix a broken auto, then go for it. It couldn't hurt to drive one so you can see what its like. Keep in mind a manual vr6 can also have expensive problems come out of nowhere. Sounds like you're in a more financially stable state then a lot of the 18 year olds (like myself) who just take a gamble with them, and end up riding the pushbike for weeks while trying to save for repairs

[kai_h]

I'd steer clear of an auto VR6. The manual boxes in them are built quite strong, people race them and they seem to hold up. Auto boxes however are another story. This is from long before DSG was anywhere near a car you could actually buy.

Whilst it'd be great to teach the missus to drive stick, frankly the MkIII VR6 is not the car to learn a manual in (even though I did!) as it's got a very heavy clutch and she won't like it.

The auto is a pretty uninspiring transmission, and on a VR6, it's an expensive repair just waiting to happen.

[Mk3 AAA]

I'd steer clear of an auto VR6. The manual boxes in them are built quite strong, people race them and they seem to hold up. Auto boxes however are another story. This is from long before DSG was anywhere near a car you could actually buy.

Whilst it'd be great to teach the missus to drive stick, frankly the MkIII VR6 is not the car to learn a manual in (even though I did!) as it's got a very heavy clutch and she won't like it.

The auto is a pretty uninspiring transmission, and on a VR6, it's an expensive repair just waiting to happen.

Really? With all that torque down low I'd expect them to be easy as to learn in.

[skinner]

Thanks for the feedback guys...

Think I'll stay away from them and look at other options. Better still bite the bullet and go with two cars that way i can have what i want

[whiteVR6]

As usual there is alot of auto bashing
VR6 auto's expensive to repair-true
But how many people have repaired a manual gearbox thats had teeth stripped on a gear or a busted diff thats gone through the casing?
I'll post some pictures up shortly of a gearbox thats come in for a second time to get rebuilt thats done major internal damage and its cost the owner more than a convetional auto build
If an auto is treated well it will last, but most are neglected causing expensive builds

As for it being sluggish, auto's need a stronger engine more so than a manual to perform
here is my VR6 at the drags against a Porsche powered ghia: Portland VW only Drag Racing 2010 - YouTube

[Tim]

The manuals do fail as well but the difference is that you can pick up a second hand box for $500.