All,

Any advice on buying a high mileage VRS (only way I can afford one with my wedding looming :thumbdwn: ). I am thinking of about 80-100k. What sort of thing should I look out for when test driving other than checking the service history?

Will a high mileage PD130 engine have an issue with remapping?

Thanks all

Dont think the engine will be an issue but the tranny/clutch, bushes etc will be battered if the car has been remapped for most of that.

As long as there is a good comprehensive SH with the car (Including Cambelt), I wouldn't have though there would be much of an issue with a standard car. Remapping after that wouldn't be too much of an issue either

Will a high mileage PD130 engine have an issue with remapping?

I was advised that remapping is not a good idea at this sort of mileage......

Chris

Cheers, only looking at standard cars at the mo, want a blank canvas

Any ball park figure for a set of standard front tyres?

Anything costly likely to go at that mileage? Cambelt should be done I think?

Thanks again

I was advised that remapping is not a good idea at this sort of mileage......

Chris

My PD100 mk4 Golf was fine at 120k with a Dragon box (I know it isn't quite the same but the end result would be) . Shame the rest of the car fell to pieces :(

Cheers, only looking at standard cars at the mo, want a blank canvas

Any ball park figure for a set of standard front tyres?

Anything costly likely to go at that mileage? Cambelt should be done I think?

Thanks again

About

I think he might be looking at the

I bought my 53 reg VRS (registered jan 04) on 59k and the re-map had been added at 50k so dont see why doing it at that age would be a problem.

Definately look for full SH!!!! that is a given i hope? I have been told that a diesel engine is good for around 250k?? so buying at 100 k i assume should not be an issue. Like previous post ststed check bushes etc.

Had mine serviced at 68k and needed pads, discs etc so check for that as well.

PS buying this car is the best thing i have ever done! I love every second i am in it.

ran mine to 80k.... when I got rid, it's next service was the cam belt, it also needed brake fluid change and rear discs, I'd already paid out to replace the knackered suspention bushes......

a re-map shouldn't be a problem, with SH these engines are strong, I know of an ibiza (PD130) that was remapped when it had 90k on it, and the tuner in questions said it was one of the best he'd done...reacted very well, very fast, and run many faultless miles after that my engine was running perfect at 80k.... as strong as it had ever been, no funny noises, ect ect, (turbo was fine too) and for 50k of my 80k it was run with a cheap 'resistor' tuning box.......

For an alternative, see also the SEAT Ibiza FR TDi or Sport TDi.

Little bro's got an FR and very nice it is too.

I haven't checked s/h prices though.

J.

Cheers guys, yep looking around

I'd think the thing that'll feel the most tired at that mileage on a vRS would be the suspension and engine mounts. Take it for a GOOD test drive over bumpy uneven roads and listen for knocking and feel the steering. Any clunks and knocks should be fairly evident. Also as you set off and change to 2nd gear and to 3rd, listen for clunks as you dip the clutch. The dogbone mount at the rear of the engine gets tired quickly.

Edit - By the way, the Furby will feel like a bathtub compared to an MX5. Don't expect super sharp handling like you currently have. The MX5 is one of the best driving cars on the road.

Cheers guys, yep looking around

Mine has ran 200+ horses for the best part of 70k and I am just now changing the console bushes, clutch and flywheel were done #cough# warranty# but it wasnt slipping, just juddering under full load.

If the car has a full service history and driven properly you should have no problems.

only other things I have had are

seatbelt not retracting, fuel temp sensor, reversing light switch, door seals, seat bolster burst, fan flap motor thingy, and it was all carried out under warranty, if you are looking for a high miler out of warranty most of these grumblers will have been resolved by now hopefully.

seatbelt not retracting, door seals

Had these two issues as well - repaired under warranty just before 60'000 miles.

Edit - By the way, the Furby will feel like a bathtub compared to an MX5. Don't expect super sharp handling like you currently have. The MX5 is one of the best driving cars on the road.

Yep - need a bigger boot, n bit sick of having to get up to 6k rpm to change gear.

Will miss the RWD especially in the wet!

I am hoping that the VRS will be a lot faster real world driving despite the 0-60 being quicker in the 1.8 140bhp mx5??

Mine has ran 200+ horses for the best part of 70k and I am just now changing the console bushes, clutch and flywheel were done #cough# warranty# but it wasnt slipping, just juddering under full load.

If the car has a full service history and driven properly you should have no problems.

only other things I have had are

seatbelt not retracting, fuel temp sensor, reversing light switch, door seals, seat bolster burst, fan flap motor thingy, and it was all carried out under warranty, if you are looking for a high miler out of warranty most of these grumblers will have been resolved by now hopefully.

What are the console bushes?

Are door seals leaking a common issue?

Edit - By the way, the Furby will feel like a bathtub compared to an MX5. Don't expect super sharp handling like you currently have. The MX5 is one of the best driving cars on the road.

Yep - need a bigger boot, n bit sick of having to get up to 6k rpm to change gear.

Will miss the RWD especially in the wet!

I am hoping that the VRS will be a lot faster real world driving despite the 0-60 being quicker in the 1.8 140bhp mx5??

Ill be honest, there are a few not too expensive mods that will completely change the handling making it a real sweet little number, do a search

The Vrs takes a little bit of getting used to in terms of the driving experiance, especially coming from the car you have. It takes a bit to get the most out of the narrow but quite satisfying power band and until you master it, progress might not be as quick as you think but when driven right it can be a quick car.

Edit - By the way, the Furby will feel like a bathtub compared to an MX5. Don't expect super sharp handling like you currently have. The MX5 is one of the best driving cars on the road.

Yep - need a bigger boot, n bit sick of having to get up to 6k rpm to change gear.

Will miss the RWD especially in the wet!

I am hoping that the VRS will be a lot faster real world driving despite the 0-60 being quicker in the 1.8 140bhp mx5??

Ill be honest, there are a few not too expensive mods that will completely change the handling making it a real sweet little number, do a search

The Vrs takes a little bit of getting used to in terms of the driving experiance, especially coming from the car you have. It takes a bit to get the most out of the narrow but quite satisfying power band and until you master it, progress might not be as quick as you think but when driven right it can be a quick car.

Edit - By the way, the Furby will feel like a bathtub compared to an MX5. Don't expect super sharp handling like you currently have. The MX5 is one of the best driving cars on the road.

Yep - need a bigger boot, n bit sick of having to get up to 6k rpm to change gear.

Will miss the RWD especially in the wet!

I am hoping that the VRS will be a lot faster real world driving despite the 0-60 being quicker in the 1.8 140bhp mx5??

Ill be honest, there are a few not too expensive mods that will completely change the handling making it a real sweet little number, do a search

The Vrs takes a little bit of getting used to in terms of the driving experiance, especially coming from the car you have. It takes a bit to get the most out of the narrow but quite satisfying power band and until you master it, progress might not be as quick as you think but when driven right it can be a quick car.

I am hoping that the VRS will be a lot faster real world driving despite the 0-60 being quicker in the 1.8 140bhp mx5??

Depends how you drive, but the Fabia is heavier, less agile, less involving with less power! If you are happy to mod it, it can be significantly improved but you'll be budgeting

Yep - I used to have a moddied 306 Dturbo and me Julie has a mkIV 105bhp 1.9 TDI golf so I actually miss the power at low revs malarkey.

looking fwd to greater than 25mpg too.

Do you think a drogon tuning box would be better for the engine than a remap?

What are the console bushes?

Are door seals leaking a common issue?

console bushes are part of the fron suspension... they are a common fault, they are the part I replaced on mine... as others have said, drive it over some speed bumps and listen for creaking/knocking, and insist the seller fixes the noise before you buy! (or knocks

Do you think a drogon tuning box would be better for the engine than a remap?

No, not at all. As long as the car has a FSH and has been well maintained during its 80-100k I would have no worries about a remap. There are many maps out there, it will be a case of maybe paying a bit more for a custom map rather than a generic map.

To be honest at that sort of milage I'd be more worried about condition of the seats

I'd remap a PD 130 with high milage on it without too many fears, but I would have a custom one and make sure the lb/ft was pegged back a bit.

A search on the site will provide you with all the info you could need around mapping and the different products on offer.