VR6 - things to check when purchasing?

[Jeats]

Hi everyone in here, long time lurker potentially that is about to make the jump of buying a Golf VR6.

But before I do I just want to know what peoples experiences are with them:

• Service costs and parts
• Things to look out for when purchasing
• Common faults and the like.

Finally how long can I reasonably expect a maintained engine and car to last? I am just a little concerned that a sub $5k vr6 is on it's last legs. I have this concern because I will be doing roughly 300km a week in highway driving a week to get out to my mine site.

[VWfresh]

Working in the mines should leave you with enough spare change for maintenance

[dylan8]

Timing chains and waterpump were changed on time / when do they need replacing next
window regs are working and sound healthy
see how the suspension feels (do struts or bushes need replacing)

[Jeats]

Working in the mines should leave you with enough spare change for maintenance

You would think so, but currently due to twins under two, I am the sole earner in my family right now, so it isn't as much spare cash as when we were dinks. Also Parkes doesn't pay as much as the really remote areas, but I have the benefit of driving 20 minutes at the end of my day home.

March April is when I am looking to purchase.

[VWfresh]

You would think so, but currently due to twins under two, I am the sole earner in my family right now, so it isn't as much spare cash as when we were dinks. Also Parkes doesn't pay as much as the really remote areas, but I have the benefit of driving 20 minutes at the end of my day home.

March April is when I am looking to purchase.

Hopefully theres a clean, reliable and well service daily available around that time

[vdubin]

Try get a 96 year upwards ,94s are rounound for Issues
(My mechanic has a magazine with a 94 vr6 on the cover & in large writing LEMON)
Im not hating on 94s I owned one with no issues, just saying.

Also depends on the last owner & how well they maintained it, log books are a must, Right away you will know if it was regularly serviced, At the end of the day there a unique & nice car to drive plus there got some balls.

common faults like Dylan8 said, Timing Chain ( Average change is around +150,000 mark, all depends )
and the water pump + Coil pack, mine just went (My cars just gone over 150,000.)

If the cars been looked after And you continue to look after it things should should be sweet, Parts are expensive thoe..

[kai_h]

What they said. Timing chain - replace when it gets noisy and generally this happens over 150,000km or so.

The main water pump is plastic, so prone to failure, but it's easy to replace.

The coilpacks are very prone to failure. Check it carefully for any hairline cracks in the epoxy. With the engine running, mist it with water from a spray bottle and see if there's any sparking. Sparks = bad. They're not cheap to replace either.

ABS is a common failure - the ABS pump carks it pretty easily. On the right-hand side of the instrument cluster are two lights - one for ABS and one for something else. They should both come on when you start the car and then go off. It's a common "fix" to simply remove the bulb for the ABS light.

Window regulators can go - failure is more common in the 3-door variants (which are not common in Aus) as the windows are bigger and heavier.

The engine is built very well, and will last a very long time with regular maintenance. They've got a lot of higher-spec components, like forged pistons, and were designed to last.

Auto gearboxes are something to steer clear of in a VR6.

Other than that, take it for a drive, wind the windows down and have a good listen for any odd noises.

[VW Convert]

Surprised nobody has mentioned the heater core, seems these are a common problem on VR6s and something of a major pain to replace.

Cheers

George

[jono0309]

Heatercore
Aircon
Power Windows
Central Locking (air pump are not very good)
Timing chain
Coilpack
Waterpump
Suspension
Brakes
and general things you do when you look at a car (tyres, wheels, etc).

[whiteVR6]

Im suprised so many people mention timing chains but no-one has mentioned oil pump?

[Ben J]

I didn't know oil pumps were prone to failure? Granted I had 3 smashed on my old vr from being low but ive never heard of one just giving up without being hit? Either way thats only like a $150 part and an hour job to change.

But yeah if you can hear a sort of "marbles in a can" kind of rattle below 2000 rpm, chains are done and thats an expensive job to get done if you're paying for the labour. Also as said check the heater and aircon. Basically if its been well maintained and you continue to look after it, chances are you wont run into major troubles.

Oh something else I'm not sure was mentioned is the thermostat housing and crack pipe, which sometimes like to crack and leak as they get old. Still not overly expensive to fix should it happen but something else to look out for.

Oh and really compared to a lot of other cars a lot of parts are actually very cheap if you know where to look on sites from overseas, but you do then have to add postage and wait for things to come from all parts of the world.

Just servicing the car shouldn't cost any more then any other car.

[kai_h]

Also, if you're looking for one - I've got a nice one for sale:

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/forums/f23/1996-mkiii-golf-vr6-140-000km-65301.html

[Jeats]

Still waiting until March/April period to see what my bonus and what my new salary is going to be along as a few other odds and end, plus the wife would like a newer car, but I want the cheaper one. The joys of marriage.