Hi guys,

 

I'm new to the forums and looking to buy a VRS from a friend.

 

Only thing that concerns me with the car is that it's covered 114k miles.  It's a 57 plate so as I understand its one of the newest MK1's.

 

Would you consider this high mileage? I know these engines can go forever but what should I be concerned about?

 

The car has been owned by a mechanic for the past few years and driven carefully by his wife, so I don't expect it to be remapped or to have been abused.

 

When I drive it what should I look/listen for?  Also what other checks should I do when I look round it?

 

Thanks in advance, Marc!

Expect the turbo to blow if it hasn't been done already. That's about it.

There's no reason to expect the turbo to go if it's been looked after and driven sympathetically. As with any used car though it's always a good idea to keep a 'Bork fund' should the worst happen.

Edited 14 March, 201610 yr by Tom_vRS

My radiator developed a leak just after 100k.

Barely run in! My second car is a MK4 golf with the 1.8 turbo, still going strong with 185k miles

Indeed. My colleague runs an Audi A4 PD130, 2003 model on 256k miles and still on original turbo, clutch and flywheel. The only non-consumables to fail are the air con and a flap motor in the air box (it's permanently on windscreen only).

Simon (Baker21) on here ran a Superb PD130 to 248k with very few issues, I still see his old car every so often too!

I can't think of many examples of cars exploding or becoming uneconomical to repair, but the occasional several-hundred-quid bill needs to be expected as they get older.

My Fabia VRs is currently a tad over 220k. Just had the head gasket done and PD150 Headbolts. Now that it's run in I'm looking at a few modifications ;-)

I have an oil and filter change every 10k/3 Months whatever comes sooner, and try and keep on top of the small annoying thing before they become big expensive things, like Door Carriers, which are the absolute bane of my life.

I think there is a list of things to do once you get it, whether you are modifying it or not, on the forum somewhere.

Sent from my Hudl 2 using Tapatalk

Mines done 122k and just had a new clutch, DMF & turbo so check they are in good health because they aren't cheap! You'd hope being owned by a mechanic it will have been maintained well and only the correct oil for PD engines have been used, check when the cambelt was changed. If the head gasket is failing then there'll likely be pressure build up in the coolant system which doesn't go even when the engine has cooled down and also it may appear to be losing coolant, to test this let the engine go cold after a hard drive and there should be no large pressure release when unscrewing the expansion tank cap, a small short hiss is OK.  

I bought mine 4 years ago with 115k on it, it was serviced until 76k so 38k nothing to check against, I changed the cambelt and water pump as a priority car now on 155k the turbo bearing went at 151k last April I've had a remanufactured turbo put on I've changed alternator, battery, rear shocks, top mounts and front/rear discs, change the oil and filters myself. I've put a k+n filter on it 2 years ago, car is as standard. Like people have said before these are strong engines it's the turbos and clutch that given. Had the cambelt and water pump changed again yesterday.

NO its not particularly high mileage

 

Mine is 127K and had the benefit of being from new, late 56 plate will be about the same age more or less.

I've had, from new

 

Replaced disks and pads once, and quite a few sets of tyres normal wear and tear, obviously.

Battery (twice but really only once needed as it was a bit premature more recently, my own misdiagnosis of start fault)

Coolant header, £14 + self fit

Alternator load wire, self fix, £0

Starter wire fault, self fix £0 (ok £1 if you count the wire I bought from Maplins!).

Cleaned out EGR and intake, self (£5 maybe for the "decongestant").

Radiator leak, fitted £175

Replaced suspension, actually this was somewhat premature as it didn't really need it I just thought it was lame and a bit soft, the harder suspension made for a new car. £120 HR springs new, plus I dunno whatever the Sachs shocks cost, not an awful lot definitely under £100.

 

I've the rerirc/flap fault, but that really isn't even an issue, its not on the dash just an odd error when scanning for errors.

 

+ the normal servicing costs obviously (+belts and pump change etc, but expected cost)

Not bad I think?

I think touch wood (don't talk about bits I haven't done yet!!), thats about it so far? Still goes about very nicely thank you !

Edited 15 March, 201610 yr by vRSAnt