Looking to buy a VR6

[ScumSpawn 0]

I’m looking at a VR6 this weekend and would appreciate any tips on what to check for. The current owner tells me it has a minor water leak. I will be checking that the car is loosing water not using water as I’m told a car using water may be a sign of a head gasket on the way out. I'm going to try and get the car checked out for oil contamination ect, what other things tend to be the weak points on the VR6? Can you tell me what interval the engine should be serviced at and when the timing belt should be replaced?. I have read the comments posted regarding purchase tips on the other models but would like tips specific to the VR6.

Its a 2.9 on a L plate with 98k on the clock. It belongs to a friend of a friend so getting the car for the day before handing over any cash shouldnt be a problem. Thanks..

[dazzyvr6 0]

no timing belt on the vr mate only chains

[vr6storm 0]

right you'll be pleased to know you don't have to worry about a timing belt.......the VR6 has a timing chain :wink:........and this doesn't have a "interval" for getting changed its just if you are rebuilding an engine its just as easy putting a new one on........though the timing chain tensioners can wear out

 

as for it losing or using water.......i would get a VW-dealer or VW-specialist inspect the car before you buying it............as it could be something as minor as the expansion cap needing replaced to something a lot more sinister(and of course dearer)

[vr6storm 0]

here's one i typed up earlier :wink: :lol:

 

Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2003 11:30 pm

 

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as for things to look out for(in no order btw)

1)make sure that the oil level is at/near the max and is relatively clean.......much lower points to careless ownership

2)it might sound a tiny bit tappetty(could be down to too thin an oil being used) and also have a very slight uneven idle this is normal,though through the rev-range it should be silky smooth and refined

3)make sure the spoiler rises at either 40/45mph(early cars) or 56mph(later cars)and that it can also be raised manually

4)make sure all the other electrics work too

5)check that there is no oil mixing with the water in the expansion tank....if it is it could be either the oil/water heat exchanger(£40ish part + fitting)or worse the h/gasket(£200++) also check the oil-filler cap...though don't automatically think that if there is a slight mayo on it that the h/gasket's failed as it could just as easily be condensation

6)all vr6's have abs fitted.....make sure that the abs light goes off within seconds of starting the car...if there is no abs light fitted or it doesn't go off then this points to either an expensive fault or that the abs has been removed

7)make sure the s/roof opens and closes without twisting as this can be quite expensive to fix

8)make sure that the tyres are wearing evenly if not this points to the steering geometry being out and could also be an expensive suspension problem

9)door handles are prone to breaking and can be expensive to fix....one of the signs is a stiff handle when opening the door

thats all from the top of my head

it might be an idea getting a vw-dealer or specialist to inspect it is so that they can also check the dtc's(aka fault codes) with the vag-com software............as these can be expensive to fix and can cause all sorts of future problems

hth

[ScumSpawn 0]

Thanks for the fast replies, I'm thinking I'll get the car checked professionally, I’ve been trolling the forum and there’s a mountain of posts with owners reporting problems. The chap only wants 2.5k for the car it sounds to good to be true without being too pessimistic it may well be :?

[vr6storm 0]

Thanks for the fast replies, I'm thinking I'll get the car checked professionally, I’ve been trolling the forum and there’s a mountain of posts with owners reporting problems. The chap only wants 2.5k for the car it sounds to good to be true without being too pessimistic it may well be :?

 

 

£2.5k!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...............sounds too cheap...........then again you never know........but DO get it checked over

[macca 0]

Sounds a bargain if every think checks out OK, length of ownership and paper work are all plus points for me.

[ScumSpawn 0]

The guy with the car is going on holiday for a week or so and has offered me the car & all the paper work whilst he's away. I can get it checked out at my leisure, I'm picking it up Thursday so I can have a blast to work in it on Friday and get it checked out over the weekend. I'll let you know how I get on,... thanks for your comments :D