My Search for a Clean VR6!

[jono0309]

Hey boys and girls...

I introduced myself in the intro/newbie section of the forum a couple of days ago. I am based in Sydney, Northern Beaches specifically looking for a VR6 in NSW that is clean, low KM and doesn't need much work done to it.

I have just missed probably the best VR6, one right in my area was really clean looking, midnight blue, 140,000kms, manual, no problems, just the usual aircon broken. It got sold the day before I went to look at it, it sold for $4800...not a bad price, it was a 1994 so that is probably the right price to pay for it considering it was a good clean example of a VR.

Anyways, today, I went to look at one near the City of Sydney, and the guy was a green p-plater (so am I infact) and could tell this had a sour taste/dodgy feel about it.
To cut a long story short this is what I got to tell from the car and I didnt even drive the thing as it wasn't worth it!

• No log books
• Previous Owner had a sound system all installed fairly well but still look a bit rough in some places
• It has scratches a dents in every panel, especially the bonnet, front bumper and rear bumper plus some faded paint/big grazes
• He said he bought it a month ago on a loan he got from an Auction out west and that his apprentice mate checked it before he bought it, not even a qualified mechanic!
• Next, I looked at the engine, oil everywhere and the heatercore wasn't connected, I think it was the heatercore, it was a short hose that went into the firewall and that was just hanging there
• It had a smooth idle but had a ticking (maybe valve, lifters? Injectors? I don't know much about the engines of these
• He spent $800 on the engine mounts because it was shaking
• He admitted he thrashed it a bit, gave it some and with the car lowered and with a sound system, the old owner probably gave it a hard time too
• The interior was ripped, worn and looked very aged
• The guy was desperate to sell and was really keen to fire out all the good points but not the bad!

I do not want to say which car is it particularly as I do not want to ruin the guys chances of selling it but the car is on car sales...you'll probably guess which one it is if you want to look. I offered him $3k and its up for $7k on carsales, he said he would call me if he was desperate which I reckon he will because he has a loan he has to pay!

Anyways, I am going to the central coast after Chrissy to look at another one which looks the goods! Its black with rims, lowering and has relatively low KMs, plus its a 1998, so wish me luck!!!

I have to say a big thank you to MrV6exy who has helped me heaps...

Any information is appreciated.
Cheers! Jono

[ryana89]

Just be patient and one will pop up.
There's some minters for sale on this forum every once in a while too.
Best of luck

[mk3pete]

dont worry about the ticking mate all vrs do it
heater core unless you do it your self 100 bucks for a new one
1000 dollars for labour to replace if you dont
he probably got ripped if he paid 800 for the mounts to be replaced

[jono0309]

Yeh I am not too mechanically minded myself, but I know enough to not buy a buggered one. Yeh he was certain he paid $800 on the engine and said the mechanic checked everything, i highly doubt it too be honest.
Thanks ryan, i know the forums are the best way to buy really because they wouldn't be on the forum if they didn't enjoy the car, etc.
Patience is something I lack but we'll get there haha. Cheers boys.

[dark]

There was a red one on ebay that looked pretty unmolested just recently - did you see that? It didnt sell maybe he'll take less? HAd some K's on it but its unmodded.
Volkswagen Golf VR6 (1995) 5D Hatchback 5 SP Manual ... (eBay item 250740325657 end time 20-Dec-10 08:06:13 AEDST) : Cars, Bikes, Boats

[peedman]

If you ever need a hand checking one out drop me a pm and id be happy to tag along not only to help you but to also sticky beak at mk3's since i love em!!!!

[Davignon]

SOrry to thread crap but, u say the aircon isnt working and this is"usual", how common are we talking? i just got my VR6 and air con doesnt work either, according to previous owner it only needs to be regased, is it likly that regasing will get it working again?

[cicca_294]

hey buddy,
i was in the same position about six months ago, and let me say, dont let the patience wear off, cause in the long run your much better off! i bought mine, in pretty good condition, had a few trolley dents and that, but overall fairly good. looking at the logbook, the previous owner hadnt spare the cash on the car, in his five year ownershipspending well over 5 grand on it. admittably, it was the first i truly drove, and whilst it wasnt a bad buy, im sure a little more patience and time would have scored me another one.

in the last 6 months, its been pretty good, except for the aircon compressor which karked it, one of the rear window regulators too dying, and a leak in the drivers footwell which ive literally only fixed today, by completely stripping the interior, and finding its source.

whilst im off on a break before uni, the clutch and timing chains are going be done, by me, simply cause i cant afford the labour of a garage doing it.

im going say that buying yourself a vr6, in my opinion ,isnt going be plain sailing, and that in the last 6 months it hasnt been your usual 'daily, reliable car', but i guess thats what i, and a lot of other guys on here like about them.

goodluck in your search, and even if you settle for less than the perfect vr6, theres plenty of guys on here willing to lend a hand or ear when you need some help!
Paul.

[peedman]

SOrry to thread crap but, u say the aircon isnt working and this is"usual", how common are we talking? i just got my VR6 and air con doesnt work either, according to previous owner it only needs to be regased, is it likly that regasing will get it working again?

Unfortunately its quick common mate on the mk3's. If you take your car to an a/c auto eleccy they can test whether u just need a regas or your compressor is dud. If you want a good place m & j auto in guilford is good (ive used them twice for 2 diff cars) and it costs about $750 for a rebuilt compressor or $900 for a new one inc. labour, regassing and new condensor.

[jono0309]

Hey Dark, that link you gave me didnt work, ebay says its ended or cancelled or something..???
Peedman, thanks alot for the offer dude, i am going this boxing day to the central coast to chill there for a few days and im going to look at another VR6 too...probably too far for you!
Davignon, the VR6s are prone to aircon unit failing, I have no idea what it is, but every single VR6 i have seen for sale has buggered aircon...maybe the units are just a weak spot on these cars.
Ciccca, thanks for your help guys, I really appreciate it, If you guys know any VW enthusiasts that would do the timing chain for me when I get mine (assuming it would need doing) then that would be awesome!!

Cheers boys and girls.