matty761 10 Posted January 29, 2012 Hello Rookie question but thats why i'm here ;) Thinking about maybe getting a vr6, my mate had one and i loved the sound of the engine which is pretty much why i want one. Come across some good buying advice but would like the opinion of owners in regards to the servicing and maintenance of the engine? Im aware that most are getting on abit now so i'm thinking that it may be prudent to budget an engine service to be one the safe side. What generally needs doing? Buying one only for something to snap and ruin the engine is my biggest concern. Cheers in advance Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VR6 0 Posted January 29, 2012 Service is a piece of cake - I would do a comprehensive service on any 2nd hand car I bought. Just depends how far you want to go / how many fluids you want to replace. If it's had chains/tensioners, it's good but not essential. Check for how rattly/noisy the engine sounds. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
G-Lad 0 Posted January 30, 2012 Has it had the chains done within the first 100k miles? Do the clutch at the same time. I don't know anyone who's had chains snap on them, personally, but I wouldn't risk it. does it run at the right temperature? If no, I'd avoid buying it. Mine was a massive money pit to resolve. There is loads of advice out there but do you really want to have to follow it all just to make the car behave itself? Over heating seems to be the biggest problem with an ABV engine. has it had plenty of oil changes? It's a very easy job, so there is no excuse for not doing it annually or every 10k miles. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Bacon 5 Posted January 30, 2012 Over heating seems to be the biggest problem with an ABV engine. That is what kills all the narrow angle Vs, 24V / R32 included. It's essential to keep the coolant system in tip-top working order! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim 2 Posted January 30, 2012 (edited) Actually compared to modern cars, it seems keeping a VR on the road is relatively easy these days. Servicing at a specialist for a VR is cheaper than it is for getting my Fiat 500 with its weedy 1.2 litre engine done at a dealers! Regular oil changes, air filter, and as has been said making sure the cooling system is in good order.. won't go too far wrong! It might also be worth paying a specialist to do a more in depth engine check.. so perhaps a rolling road session to check output, inspection of the bores and stuff like that. And of course the chains - if they've not been done perhaps budget for it just for that peace of mind. Edited January 30, 2012 by Jim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VW_OwneR_85 2 Posted January 30, 2012 the vr6 is a prety solid engine, i brought an absolute shed of a car thats been through hell and back on 130k but out of all the problems on my car the engine has been sweet, only thing i realy had to do was replace the oil cooler seals and spark plug leads and an oil and filter change as the last time it was changed was unknown {thats how bad it was lol} but as with any car you buy especialy a corrado, dont expect to buy it and not have to do anything to it, just give it a service so you know its been done for sure. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Bacon 5 Posted January 30, 2012 It is a solid engine but they ALL suffer from premature bore wear on cyls 1 & 6 eventually. If someone is looking to buy one as a long term investment / project, then they need to know the worst case scenarios. A couple years ago Stealth Racing had, more or less, a constant production line of VR6 rebuilds! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andi 2,147,483,647 Posted January 30, 2012 My VR (the reason why I setup this site, all those years ago) I sold on 245k miles... If looked after, the engine goes on and on.... Was original chains too - and as others will testify - it sounded quieter than those who'd had their chains done, etc... ;) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matty761 10 Posted January 30, 2012 Thanks for the tips. Time to start searching :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
G-Lad 0 Posted January 31, 2012 Reading this thread again, I think your original question may have lead the answers a little bit. It's not just about the engine or the mechanicals when buying a Corrado. I think you should be very very picky when it comes to bodywork, too. Original paint is hard to come by but at least look for sold metalwork. It will depend what your skills are or who you know to work on your car, but it strikes me that an engine swap is less traumatic than a rear quarter panel swap. Just a thought! There is a buyer's guide check list on the forum if you have a dig around. Good luck :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Bacon 5 Posted January 31, 2012 My VR (the reason why I setup this site, all those years ago) I sold on 245k miles... If looked after, the engine goes on and on.... Was original chains too - and as others will testify - it sounded quieter than those who'd had their chains done, etc... ;) Ignorance is bliss :D 245K on the original chains etc is the exception, rather than the rule :D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VR6 0 Posted January 31, 2012 Is there any evidence on here of chains snapping? I know the chains will stretch with age and potentially jump teeth but even then, are there many cases of this? I'm not making a point here, one way or the other, I just don't recall seeing any threads about either of the above issues. But then again I haven't been looking! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matty761 10 Posted February 1, 2012 Reading this thread again, I think your original question may have lead the answers a little bit. It's not just about the engine or the mechanicals when buying a Corrado. I think you should be very very picky when it comes to bodywork, too. Original paint is hard to come by but at least look for sold metalwork. It will depend what your skills are or who you know to work on your car, but it strikes me that an engine swap is less traumatic than a rear quarter panel swap. Just a thought! There is a buyer's guide check list on the forum if you have a dig around. Good luck :) Yeah , the general opinon having looked at other threads is that the bodywork is the most important consideration to take into account and I have taken note. Think my budget should at least get a tidy one. Saying that , i saw a storm for sale at a dealer on autotrader for 5 and a half , thats way more than i want to pay and im not sure it has its original alloys! Prices seem a little eratic. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
G-Lad 0 Posted February 4, 2012 I looked at about a dozen cars in 2008 when I eventually bought my VR6. Some of the cars I viewed were total dogs and one was even priced at £7k but had rust on it (the guy was trying to get back what he paid - dream on!). you can't assume a dealer (of any kind) will have a car in any better shape than a private owner, so just look at as many as you can within your chosen radius. If you're lucky you might find that dream "one careful lady owner from new" ;) Also if you search the forum you should find a link to a Google Map showing locations for forum members who may be willing to view cars with you in their local area. Or, buy from an active forum member on here and then stalk them by reading all of their past posts, to reveal what ills that have suffered and resolved (or not!). Good luck and happy hunting :) chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VW_OwneR_85 2 Posted February 4, 2012 yea g-lads post is spot on, aslong as the bodywork is spot on with no rust, i wouldnt worry at all about the state of the mechanicals, they can be replaced over the weekend with a m8 and a cup of tea! part for part, and the price of second hand vr6 engines is prety damn cheap!! bodywork how ever is a different kettle of fish!, Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
