Looking for 9n3 polo gti - gotchas, tips?

[MrNamjama]

Hi folks

I had a TDI Polo a few years ago and think I'd like to get into a 2006-2009 GTi.

The plan is to find one as close to stock as possible, and with the lowest mileage I can find.

Does anyone have any hints, tips, what to look out for, what to AVOID etc?

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[rgvlee]

Other than the general checks you should do, more specific polo gti issues I'd be looking for

Check the dash, see if it's cracked
Lower control arm bushes, bushes in general, check for condition/evidence of being replaced
Check the recalls have been done, early ones it's gearbox oil
Make sure the air con and recirc works properly, give them a really good test, more a VW issue than specifically polo gti
These things are all starting to hit over 5 years old so if it hasn't done the ks ensure it's had the timing belt done, it's an expensive service

They are great fun little cars. A lot more fun tuned.

[Loopa]

Got mine about a year ago, and the number one thing I was advised to look out for was to make sure it hasn't been crashed and repaired. They'll never drive the same in the front end, and the hatch will be wonky.
Zippy little car, and people get ambition and ability mixed up

Good luck, they're a great little car.

[noone]

I'd sell mine, its 53kms, but is far from stock (but loads more fun).

if you want to get it chipped, i'd consider one that has already been, its a pretty resilient little engine. Get a modded one and save some coin.

On the other hand, modding was so much fun (in hindsight), you'd miss all the fun of the next test drive and cursing the engine bay...

[MrNamjama]

Well i don't want one that has been trashed or not maintained correctly. That is the purpose of looking for a close to stock one. I do understand that sometimes people don't maintain their cars but I figure an NRMA inspection would tell me about that.

A modified car in good condition with the right paperwork and confirmation from the mechanic... Well I'd be open to that.


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[h100vw]

Well i don't want one that has been trashed or not maintained correctly. That is the purpose of looking for a close to stock one. I do understand that sometimes people don't maintain their cars but I figure an NRMA inspection would tell me about that.

A modified car in good condition with the right paperwork and confirmation from the mechanic... Well I'd be open to that.


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Read my thread if you want to know about things that fail on Polo's. Bad/no servicing is the only killer. Timing belts need doing on age not just kms.

The rear bushes on the LCAs are just rubbish, get them done, SEAT or Superpro. Likewise the dog bone mounts are pretty weak too.

Secondary air pumps are a common failure too. Delete that and get a tune to clear the fault light, for less than a new pump and labour.

Otherwise, I think you would struggle to buy a bad one. Mine is on 175k, up from 143k in about 18 months. It's done trackdays, commuting, major road trips. Laps up most of what gets thrown at it. Returns sub 7l/100 the vast majority of the time. I recently got 660 out of tank on the way to Sydney.

If you end up with a stock one, hit me up for a loan of my tuned ECU. See what a Phase 1 goes like.

Gavin

[MrNamjama]

Thanks Gavin - I did see your thread earlier and have been collecting the info

I took one for a test drive today, which seems to have a thermostat issue... however it drove very nicely, even with 100,000 on the clock. The camshaft belt had not been done, and in general the service record had stamps, however very few items were 'ticked' other than oil changes and such.

I was wondering about the shock absorbers too - on my Mondeo, they were gone by 90,000kms and needed replacing. After how many kms would you expect the standard 9n3 polo gti shocks to be in need of replacement?

Oh and if I had ever test driven a GTI back in 2006... I never ever would have bought a Tdi. No chance. I love the way this car drives - without the flash tune...

[h100vw]

Thanks Gavin - I did see your thread earlier and have been collecting the info

I took one for a test drive today, which seems to have a thermostat issue... however it drove very nicely, even with 100,000 on the clock. The camshaft belt had not been done, and in general the service record had stamps, however very few items were 'ticked' other than oil changes and such.

I was wondering about the shock absorbers too - on my Mondeo, they were gone by 90,000kms and needed replacing. After how many kms would you expect the standard 9n3 polo gti shocks to be in need of replacement?

Oh and if I had ever test driven a GTI back in 2006... I never ever would have bought a Tdi. No chance. I love the way this car drives - without the flash tune...

Service books are generic, so not everything gets ticked on every service. There's always an oil change, every 2 years they should have brake fluid and that's about it. Everything else is on condition really.

Highly likely any that you buy will be needing a fuel filter. Mine was original when I got the car with 143000 on. tragic not to replace a sub $20 part. Gearbox oil should be done too, improves shifting no end.

My front shocks are original, now got 175k on. I am sure it would be better with new ones. They degrade over time so not something you could put a distance on.

Gavin

[noone]

Mine has barely seen a mechanic, done oil every 7.5 myself, filter very second. Suspension is ~20k kms old, so all good there.

If you're at all interested, have a look at my thread, happy to show you if you're ever in Sydney.

I don't see how NRMA can tell you much other than something is broken / due for replacement, as for the log book, for most its the best sign you have.

Regardless, if you want to see what a Polo is capable of with a stock Turbo, let me know when you're in Sydney. Without a tune they're waiting to be used, you'd be better off with a decent 2.0. Tuned the torque is very capable of helping you loose grip under acceleration.