Evening All, 

 

As I posted this in the wrong place originally, I have shamelessly copied and pasted what I was asking in here if anyone is able to help?

I am currently looking at getting a mk1 VRS as a daily and have some questions which my searching skills can't seem to answer! 

 

Firstly, I presume most people run these as dailies so whats the sort of MPG I can expect from mostly DC/Motorway driving?

I am aware there is some known common failure parts on the 20vt engine, but is there anything specific which will go wrong, regardless of how well its been maintained?

From what I can research, the cambelt is every 60k, but can't seem to find a definitive price from local garages (£300-£500 seems to be a rough average), is this about right? 

Is there any colours or spec which are more sought after and any which are not?

I have seen quite a few cars on 100k+ miles, do the cars/engine require much work to get them to last that long?

 

Now the sensible questions have been asked, what about mods?

As its the same platform as a Golf, I presume most mods work across both cars, such as suspension and engine mods?

 

Thanks!

 

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Black magic paint adds 17bhp...

WRC spec is the likely "collector" one to get, but they are unbelievably rare (only 100made, i think 20ish rhd).

 

Regular servicing and care the engine is reliable. Theres a few here starting to get v close to 200k.

Theres alot of mostly minor niggles, central locking, rear washer, electric windows, leaky bits but mostly easily fixed. Check corrosion around wheel arches and the boot lock trimin particular. Remember, even the youngest vrs is now knocking on 14/15 yrs old...

Mods, yup, most golf mk4 platform mods work, just be very careful buying rear shock/spring stuff, as the weighting is different on the octy (heavier "saloon" ar5e).

Quote for belt seems about right, geographic location varies pricing a bit on labour side.

Whilst I don't drive my car every day it is my only car and so I depend on it wholeheartedly. I do a mixture of journeys and the mpg is typically between 35-40 on the whole. Sometimes it can dip if I'm in a particularly spirited mood but long motorway trips can easily see over 40 if you don't engage "Audi" mode in the outer lane too often. 

 

That price sounds about right for the cam belt; 60k or so or every 4 years (and that reminds me, mine is due later this year). For the most part these engines are reliable; as mac said keeping on top of regular maintenance is key. I've done just over 35000 miles in mine (up to 153k total) and I haven't had any major engine issues. It chucked a bit of a wobbly when one of the coil packs went and the rear exhaust mounts just gave up one day, prompting a nice new catback to be purchased, but besides that it's been fine. There are typical bits and pieces that can go wrong but nothing that will break the bank for the most part. I've only had one four figure bill and that's because the upkeep prior to my ownership wasn't good enough. 

 

They only came in 4 colours; Red, (Sprint?) Yellow, Silver and Black Magic (sorry, can't think of the proper colour names for all) with yellow the least common of the lot. The Estates are less common than the hatchbacks but don't really command too much of a premium on the whole.
 

There are still many out there but they are falling in numbers. They really are a bargain at the moment; it's just a case of finding one that has been looked after. 

Thanks for the info so far guys, they sound like they make good daily drivers! 

 

I found this one: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201810261849492?onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&advertising-location=at_cars&sort=sponsored&make=SKODA&postcode=la14wa&colour=Yellow&price-to=5000&radius=1500&page=1

 

Mainly the mileage and condition is what caught my eye, but not sure if its overpriced or the right sort of money for a yellow car (doesn't seem to be a commonly sold colour)? 

 

Are they any good in the snow if fitted with winter tyres? I live in the lakes so don't fancy getting stuck on the drive...

I think there was 2 reds?,

corrida red and... a blank... 

Sprint yellow

Black magic

And..... yeah, silver.. cant remember the name

An extreme rarity... ex rozzer ones are white.

And an un-decal'ed wrc also white.

Think the red second color was rally red?

 

Silver is diamond silver

1 minute ago, kentphil1 said:

Think the red second color was rally red?

 

Silver is diamond silver

 

Yesssss

So opinions on the yellow one I posted, is it a good price/colour/spec etc or should I keep looking for a different spec etc?

Hadnt copped the link as its in plain text. Copied it out and it reset to autotraders vehicle search... so no idea what it is..

Carzone does the same thing. Such a dose.

16 minutes ago, mac11irl said:

Hadnt copped the link as its in plain text. Copied it out and it reset to autotraders vehicle search... so no idea what it is..

Carzone does the same thing. Such a dose.

 

Ah ffs! Thought I was going mad. It’s easy enough to find, yellow vrs for £4K on 65k miles. It looks base/low spec with just the vrs Seats and wheel different on the interior?

£4k?! 

 

That's a big premium for the low mileage and there could still be just as many bills on the horizon as a higher mileage one that's half the price. At that sort of price you would probably want to get a specialist insurance policy with an agreed valuation - otherwise you risk getting your pants pulled down if the car was written off through no fault of your own.

 

I think you should be able to find a reasonable one for around £2k. I wouldn't place too much value on the mileage, you really need to buy on condition.

The link worked fine for me after a bit of provoking. I have to say that interior is rather nice; lovely stain-free seat centres is good to see.  Mileage is lovely and low and only 2 owners from new is nice. 

 

However, that is strong money for one, although being sold through a dealer probably adds to that. Yellow isn't a "rare" colour so don't let the seller fool you there. Also, the tyres don't look to be of a known brand, certainly not the close up shot (but please inform me if I'm wrong!). That's something that would put me off spending strong money on one. If previous owners aren't prepared to spend good money on decent tyres then what else have they scrimped on? 

 

Like PB said, there are lots out there for a lot less which have probably been cared for just as well, if not better, just with higher mileage. Appealing dealer photos can often lure you into a false sense of security!

I did suspect it was quite expensive, but I have never looked seriously into buying a VRS until now so had no idea if that was strong money (+/- £500 or so for it being a dealer) or way overpriced, even with the mileage etc taken into consideration.

 

I might ask for some better photos and see if the tyres are random cheap brands or not, don't really fancy paying out £400+ for a new set of tyres on a new car straightaway!

 

 

I don't mind a car on higher mileage but I do have a car I want to p/x against one which does limit my choices somewhat!

As a little bump to this, is there any spec/options available on the vrs’ which are worth looking for or are they mostly retrofitted easily?

That yellow one was posted during the week on another thread... 

 

Those with a factory sunroof are rare, beyond that vrs spec was mostly all the same. Cant remember if aircon was standard or not

Yes A/C and climate control are standard on the VRS.

 

Other than the sunroof, popular/desirable options are cruise control and rear parking sensors. Cruise control can be retrofitted for sub £200.

 

Other options: front mudflaps and front door sill protectors. Not sure if the mats were standard or not but some cars are missing the correct VRS mats. I think side airbags in the front seats might have been an option as well.

This is a serious comment after speaking to a number of owners of yellow cars, in the spring and summer, the yellow seems to attract more than

its fair share of insects. God knows why, maybe they think its a bloody great Sunflower on the move .

Bought mine in 2006, just passed 80k (second car), still brings a smile.

 

Regarding initial mods if not already fitted:-

1/ Rear Anti-roll bar (stiffens up the back end a lot) plus replace front one with R32 one) if you can afford it to do both.

2/ Oil catch Can, (stops oily air clogging up the engine breathing system and helps feed nice clean air to the turbo / intercooler / throttle body, plenty of "how to posts on here".

3/ Replace all front end suspension / dog-bone bushes (eliminates wheel hop when spirited take offs), with either Super Pro or Powerflex silicone bushes

 

NB: Its one of the most solid / lively cars I have owned, brilliant value for money, and 0-60 still faster than most.

 

Good Luck

 

Edited 8 March, 20197 yr by Silver Bullet