dr_mat

Let's compare against the readers of a forum for brand new cars against the folks running 20 year old VWs.. http://www.golfmk7.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8022

It's a real problem for people running a car on a budget..! but why the heck would they buy a VR6 if they're running a car on a budget?! FWIW calculated through retail price inflation since it was released even the newest VR6 on the road would have cost nearly 40 grand in current terms if it were being sold today. That's a lot of car, and that means when it gets old parts are expensive..

Come on guys, I've seen CSI, all you need to do is sit in front of a bank of simulated computer screens and type randomly and wildly on a small keyboard that's not connected to anything and within moments the screen will pop up a list of VIN numbers for green storms registered in 1994..

I've been using an Optimate charger for about four years with perfect results. I disagree with some previous comments too - a lead acid battery will last potentially for ever if it's treated right. Buy a 40 quid trickle charger and routinely keep the battery topped up when it's parked on the drive/in the garage and you'll never have to replace the battery again. I use one of these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/p1173-OptiMate-4-Dual-Battery-charger/dp/B004LAA7QC/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1418727677&sr=1-2&keywords=OptiMate It's not going to charge a flat battery very quickly (it's quite low current) but it'll keep it topped up just perfectly.

Step one is send the complaint in WRITING..!! Nothing will happen if you don't. It's old fashioned, but people are still unable to ignore a bit of paper with words on it. Certainly a hell of a lot less than they can ignore an occasional phone call. If I were you I would explain that since the garage is not secure you've not been able to actually use it and request they refund your rent until it's fixed.

So you can, thanks. Sorted...

I think you're right, it's probably a Golf mk4 part. PITA. Can I change the title of the thread?

It is what it is.. :) The VW part number is correct I think though. e.g. http://www.yoyopart.com/oem/7361599/vag-1j2819031b.html#application

Photo attached. Probably..

Don't know to be honest. A dig around on the net for the part number suggests it might actually be better suited to mk4 golf fitment (and Seat/Audi/the usual suspect), but GSF definitely sold it to me as a Corrado VR6 fit part.

FYI Vince at stealth told me they got another matrix because this one has "push fit" pipe. He reckoned it fitted the heater box ok but the pipes were difficult to attach (my Corrado has jubilees). Want to make that clear :)

To be fair, I don't know how much it's going to cost to post so I set it higher. I'll take thirty quid "plus postage" though.

Corrado Heater Matrix NOS unused For sale here is a NOS (unused) third party heater matrix bought from GSF a year and a half ago. Part number at the time was 214 44 0180, price was ?42. I believe that the VW equivalent part number is 1J2819031B. These part numbers don't bring anything up on the GSF website now so I suspect they have switched codes. It was bought for a Corrado VR6 but never used due to the garage ordering another one instead. It's therefore in perfect unused condition! I'll put a photo on the auction at some point later.. but hey it's a heater matrix..! It will also fit a bunch of other VAG/Seat/Skoda cars no doubt. List Date: 11/23/2014 For more info, click here to view the original listing: Corrado Heater Matrix NOS unused -------------------------------------- On Sale For: ?30.00 --------------------------------------

I for one am pleased that the system has finally moved away from the stupidity of having to place a *second* identifying mark on each car every year, and having to apply and pay for it manually during the ONE month you're allowed to do so in order to avoid receiving an automatic fine and/or having your car crushed. Seriously, how did they think it was ok to have an automatic fine if you didn't pay, but no way you could automatically pay .. ?? That was ****ed up. There is the minor annoyance of winding up paying to tax a car twice in one month, but that doesn't exactly happen often. I would imagine that now there's no coloured disc required to be displayed they will probably move away from always having tax start and end on the month boundaries - thereby solving that problem too.

You'll know you have ABS because the self test process will send a short pulse through the pedal when you first pass 10 kph after starting the engine. Assuming it's working ... MOT testers should have spotted that the lamp wasn't there if the car was fitted with it at the factory and failed the car .. ! Though this is assuming too much in most cases ..

I would say the numbers you quote seem "about right".. I get 9-15 mpg around town stop-start driving and up to 31 on a steady cruise at 70mph. Auto would always be less than this because it's an old torque converter auto and quite inefficient, even while cruising. That said, with zero noticeable ill effects and no VAGCOM errors I was averaging 28mpg on the same steady cruise at 70mph when I bought the car - until I swapped the MAF for a used one off ebay .. In the days of the VR6 accurate component diagnostics were not there, stuff can be marginal and nothing will report an error.

They're rocking horse poo. Good luck!

Definitely different ECU. CP means coil pack, AG means not.. Yep CP gets an immobiliser and a few other "enhancements" over AG, such as a soldered in EPROM where the AG had a socket mounted. But there you go.

Another vote for gopro. They lead the industry for a reason.

Agreed with a few others: the mk7 golf is the only one that looks like a car I'd like to own. Which is why I bought the 1.4 TSi 122 Estate in Pacific Blue for the missus!

I don't think anyone ever had any issues with bulbs as long as you don't up-rate them. Stick to 55/60w and you'll have no issues with the reflectors.

I've been using an Optimate to keep the battery topped up for years now, works just fine. The only issue I ever had was that the connector that's outside the car corrodes after a while and you have to cut it off and solder a new one on. Last about a year. My current car battery has been on the car for five years of very very low use (less than 4000 miles total) and the battery is still perfect since it's been kept topped up 24x7. Some chargers will run a desulphate cycle (18-20V for a few minutes), which can recover some deep cycled batteries in some specific conditions, but it's never going to be quite the same again and you may as well replace. The point with replacement is you're just recycling the old one - they will recover the lead and you're paying for the refurbishment process.

What a mental story! Bunch of idiots! A simple check against the number plate should have been all they needed to do. Let's hope they don't give you grief in getting the door replaced and the car repainted to match. ;)

There's also an issue where the reader coil's plug corrodes where it connects to the control box. Trace it back and clean/reseat the connection.

I'm still waiting for the serious money to arrive. Anyone?