7 hours ago, Bap33 said:

The well known water pump issue is not about leaks. Sorry, I forgot to explain...

VAG engineers designed a pump which is off when the engine starts cold. When its hot enough, the water pump runs as expected. The problem is that this pump tends to "stick" and remains off when the engine is hot enough, which leads to engine overheating...

I agree on the diesel or small petrol engines.. Incidentally if you turn the heater to full hot and keep revs below 1500 they dont overheat when stuck so you can get it to a workshop.

I was looking at a EA 888 Gen3 B, The pump is on the gearbox side and run from a rubber belt. The plastic housings crack (bit like something they were smoking when it was designed) causing minor leaks initially, then easily spotted pink crystal formation from the Evo coolant. You need a flexible inspection camera to see them without stripping parts off in the early stages. Look at BAZ Merideths YouTube channel where he did a pump on an L&K in the last year or so, shows the housing cracking up close.

Found it, scroll to 4 mins 50 ish

So the low mileage one 25K is 1K GBP more, built within a few months of each other Doesnt have DSG paddles, road sign recognition camera, drivers seat massage and has 19 inch rims rather than 18s. Massive difference in price and I have a trade account with a massive tyre wholesaler.

The higher mile one has the above options 1K less but digging into its history, it had a cracked sump and lost oil to point red pressure light was noted but immediately turned off. Sump was replaced at a dealer and no issue reported since. Has the much cheaper tyres better colour but note on last mot for front lower arm bushes rear worn but not displaced or causing excessive movement.

Im going to buy one or the other this weekend unless something else comes up.

Edited 56 minutes ago56 min by 3T51704x4
Typo

Personally I’d go with higher mileage for the options.