Buying VR6 - What to look for?

[SoVeReIgN]

Heading off to buy a vr6 with a mate later on, can anyone give me some tips on what to look out for..?

Perhaps make this into a sticky?

[runamuk]

Check all the windows, check the heater works. Look for milky crap under the oil cap, look for oil in the coolant. Put the steering on full lock and accelerate to check CV's. Check that the ABS light comes on when you start the car, then turns off.

Heading off to buy a vr6 with a mate later on, can anyone give me some tips on what to look out for..?

Perhaps make this into a sticky?

[peedman]

Timing chain replaced? A/C working?

[bboyskidz]

no offence mate but have you heard of search?

a search for 'vr6 common problems' brings up these results...

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ad.php?t=14621
http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ommon+problems

[SoVeReIgN]

Ah my bad, lets make one of those a sticky then!

[The_Hawk]

Although the Mk3's do have a list of 'common problems', you need to consider each on it's own.

Heater Core is about $100 to buy, although it's either a REAL pain to do yourself, although possible, or close to $800 - $900 in labour.

AC will vary a lot, a reco compressor is about $400 locally which will probably solve most problems since they tend to die from lack of use/dry seals.

Windows are a couple of hundred a piece if they are dead or you can go manual conversion on the cheap.

ABS is one of those things that if it breaks, it's debateable if it's worth fixing at all.

And chances are if all these things work (and haven't been repalced recently) they are on their way out anyway

Since buying my car I have replaced parts to fix the AC, the heater, the thermo fans, the exhaust, the instrument cluster, the engine mounts... probably more. I have replaced the bushings, the suspension, the leads, plugs and filters. The only things remaining are the cruise control and the ABS, which may be a dodgy sensor stopping both, I just need the time to fix it up and see.

Long story short, these things break. At least if you know they are dead you can bargain a cheaper price. All I'm saying it don't write off a car just because a few components don't work, just factor them into your negotiations.

[DVR68U]

yeah dont forget that they are 10yrs plus in age. not new cars anymore
cheers brenton

[brendan_lfc]

Hey im new here, I was the mate of Sovereign's who went to look at the VR6 tonight. It was in a terrible state, in which it probably needed about 3g (minimum) to fix a numerous amount of minor problems. I have read about VR6's having complications on air conditioning, the heater and etc but this had way too many (it was up for 7 and he was willing to take 5!). Rego ran out in feb, reversed into a pole, so the rear bumper needed replacing and the back left door did not open. Im really keen on buying a VR6 (one positive that this car had was the fantastic VR6 engine sound!) is there anyone who knows someone who is selling one (preferrably in NSW) or somewhere I can look apart from trading post, drive, carsales and etc? It would be greatly appreciated.

[SoVeReIgN]

Yeah the one we checked out last night was pretty rooted.

We offered $5k and then had another look and decided not to go through with it - I reckon he'd take $4.5k easy.. Too many little things wrong with it.

Gearbox selecter felt like soup too.. Couldn't tell the difference between 1st~5th.. had to just guess.

[peedman]

Was this the silver one with a8 look-alike rims, advertised on ebay and carsales?