Bora 4Motion: What to look for?

[timaire]

Hi all,

New user here and after some advice re Bora 4Motion v6. I've read numerous posts about pre purchase inspections but the threads tend to drift more into modification discussions.

My Alfa GTV V6 has been written off (grrr) and I'm keen for a change. Partner has a 93 VW Golf Cab and we love it, so going to move away from Alfas and looking at these Boras. Haven't driven one yet and not too sure what the big ticket items are to look for when test driving.

In my Alfa the clutch, timing belt, water pump were all expensive items. For me, if they weren't done I wouldn't consider buying, unless at a good price. Is it the same with Bora? I've read that coils can cause issues, and the haldex?

The car I'm looking at has 152k on the clock. Anyone have a service schedule handy? I'm thinking that generally Euro cars have some fairly major items due at around 160k.

This is the car I'm going to go check out:

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...5&sort=default

The description doesn't mention service history and I'm waiting a response from the seller regarding this.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

Tim

[GarryO]

I recently bought a Bora V6 and some of the things I took into consideration were number of k's, around the 190k mark you will want to replace the timing chain, Haldex should be ok if regularly serviced (though the stealers have been known to just tick the box, best to get it checked first or do what I did and get oil changed first thing when you get the car.)
My hit list for buying a car is ALL fluids checked and changed, everything that could be expensive to repair looked at, I got both diffs checked, brakes were given the once over, haldex and engine oil changed, radiator cleaned and new coolant used, I budgeted around $500 on top of the cost of the car for this, cheap peace of mind IMHO.
Others here will be able to tell you what common faults to look at.

[Peter Jones]

When i got mine it had a few electrical issues with switches.

I replaced the overhead light in the cabin and the window switches in the door.

Luckily they're readily available on Ebay.

Here's a few other things I've addressed since I've had it to give you an idea of the sorts of things that can arise.

Coil packs can be an issue, I had one fail and just replaced the lot.

Replaced reaction mount under gearbox.

Squeaky sway bar.

replaced MAF.

CV boots

Just this weekend I replaced the gas struts for the boot lid, the original ones weren't holding it open all the way.


All in all it's given very little trouble

Apart from that it's all just been regular servicing.

Make sure the leather work has been looked after, don't forget to look at the top of the steering wheel that faces the windscreen.

[timaire]

Thanks for the replies so far.
Are coils expensive? What about the other parts? CV's would be expensive, yeah?

I suppose I'm used to Alfa prices, so perhaps things won't be expensive as I'm used to.

Anyone recommend a specialist in Adelaide that could do a pre purchase inspection?

Ta

[Peter Jones]

Coils are about $100ea from VW dealers or $25 ea from German Auto Parts in the US.

US price for a CV joint is ~$100

The US didn't get the 4WD Bora model but they did get a V6 FWD MK4 Jetta and the R32 Golf so most of the bits are available ex-USA.

[Golf-Sam]

so much info .. lovin' it !

[skid plate]

They're good cars. You should be right with the info above. If you get the timing chain done, get the plastic guides and water pump replaced at the same time. Clean the sunroof drains, weed whacker plastic string stuff works great for it. You should be good.

[kapowww]

From the Carsales ad:

"A WRX OR EVO WITH BMW LUXURY."

What a salesman! I wouldn't really go that far.. It's a bit of an insult to the Bora
But seriously it's too heavy a car to be a performance car though it does have balls.

Like others I've had problems too. In the one year I've had it I've replaced a few things.
-Haldex (was never serviced!)
-Power window switch (very common in VAG cars around this era)
-Glove box latch
-Centre armrest
-Bought all new coils cheapish from ECS in the US after one failed

Also watch out for:
-Auto-dimming rear view mirror going fuzzy from heat
-Door switches that control the interior lights

Definitely look at one with service history if not solely for the haldex. The engine is pretty tough. To test the haldex just do slow tight circles/u-turns on full lock and make sure it's smooth.

Maybe try and get a VW enthusiast with a VAGCOM/Ross-Tech cable to come along and scan it for codes.

[Peter Jones]

I forgot about the clip on the centre armrest lid. That's another very common fault.

It's also easily fixed with ebay parts.

Check the rain sensing wiper too. The sensor on the screen can fail.

Mine's gone but rather than replace the sensor I downgraded the rain sensing to traditional intermittent.

If the car ever needs a new windscreen I'll replace the sensor then.

Test it with the car on and the wiper in the one click up position. The wipers should wipe if you sprinkle the sensor (at the base of the rear view mirror) with water.

[Peter Jones]

The VAGCOM comment remands me that I replaced all the 02 sensors in the exhaust too. A couple were throwing codes so I replaced the lot.

There's 4 in total, same as R32.

[Golf-Sam]

question about the vagcom .. where is the plug in the Bora ? i have VAGCOM and the KKL Cable .. would that work on a Bora ? i used it on my MK3 with ought issues ..

[Peter Jones]

Should work OK. I use the generic version of VAGCOM and it works fine. Below the ashtray there's a trim that pulls off to reveal the OBD plug.

[Golf-Sam]

Should work OK. I use the generic version of VAGCOM and it works fine. Below the ashtray there's a trim that pulls off to reveal the OBD plug.

sweet .. yeah my cable isn't an authentic one .. but i can get codes from it .. i have setup on my laptop so should be sweet .. it's same spot as mk3 .. cheers ! thanks for all the inspection tips .. they will come so handy

[timaire]

Thanks all for the advice, very helpful.

[djorkboy]

My advice is to check the fluids in the rear diff and gearbox as well as the heldex. If the fluids have any trace of metal walk away.

Mine had been serviced as per VW standards, which is to say the gearbox and diff had never had a fluid change as VW says they are "lifetime" parts but they fail to point out that lifetime means "until the warranty runs out and we don't have to care anymore"

Since I bought it just on a year ago my Bora has cost me more than $4000 in repairs (I think it might be closer to $5000) and has been off the road for the last 2 months as the pinion bearing has gone now too.