VR6 Buying Guide

[Slim 0]

I'm sure this topic has been done to death in the past, but I'm about to buy a '96 VR6 Highline, and not being mechanically minded, am a bit worried about buying something that's not going to get me home to Aberdeen from Englandshire and will cost me an arm and a leg to repair, etc. The one I've got my eye on is over 400 miles away and I'll need to fly down so taking someone with me isn't really an option unfortunately, so does anyone have any tips on what to look for or tell tale signs of a thrashed car on its last legs? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

The car has a full VW service history and has done about 85,000 but is still on its original timing chain and head gasket, is this par for the course or should I budget to get them replaced before they decide to go bang?

[Guest Olly_K]

timing chains are usually done at about 100k (my car had done 113k with no probs)so you should be OK there, check for oil on the dipstick and the filler cap to see if there's any creamy shit going on. If there is, new head gasket time. (apparently, a little creamy gunk is ok, as if the car has sat for a bit its just condensation.

Other than that, just make sure it drives smooth, in respect to gearshifts, clunkiness, any "humms" while driving could indicate wheel bearings.

[acf8181 0]

should be ok, timing chains aren't as much of an issue on later cars.

if you're really concerned why not get an inspection done on it, or at the very least get the fault codes checked...that shold show up any potential probs.

[mark@vagworx 0]

Where about's are you going to look at this VR......i've hunted around all the Highline's recently so i've probably looked at it!! Is it in Brighton??

As for tips.....As Olly pointed out...

Engine wise...look for rattles, oil leaks, rough idle and when on the test drive just make sure that the car drives smoothly and pulls cleanly to the redline.

Crash damage is sometimes hard to spot. Rear quarters are notorious. Open the boot and look down the edge of the rear quarter....you can usually spot whether the car has had the quarters painted. Could be down to key scratch, but could also be down to crash damage.

There should also be a VW sticker on the boot floor, giving various details including paint code. If this is missing, then usually another sign of rear end damage.

[B18 VRG 0]

if you put up the location someone in the area maybe able to help you.........if its staffordshire / midlands then there are loads of peeps to help you out....let us know!

[Slim 0]

I was going to put where it was, but was scared someone sees it and beats me to it, but if it'll help, it's in Canterbury, and it's got an ABT bodykit on it but still looks quite subtle. Thanks for your help everyone.

[mark@vagworx 0]

Is it the Mulberry Highline that's for sale in the classifieds on this very forum?

[Slim 0]

Yes, yes it is, you think that would've been the first place I looked. Doh. Anyway, what's it like do you know? You can private message me if you'd prefer.

[mark@vagworx 0]

That's one i hadn't looked at!! The only thing i couldn't work out is why it's a Highline with standard looking early VR6 arches etc. I know it's got an ABT bodykit, but i thought i was just front and rear bumpers. Secondly, i noticed that the car's got square side repeaters....should be rounded on the later cars, especially the Highline.

Apart from that , i thought the car sounded ok.

[Slim 0]

On the pic I've got, it's got rounded clear side repeaters, but I take your point about the arches, i'd presumed that these were aftermarket ones as the front ones look to be slightly blended in compared to the early Mk3 ones. Everything else seems to be Highline spec too. But it's something i'll clarify before I make the trip, if I make it.

[mark@vagworx 0]

Oh right. The picture i got sent wasn't the best quality so could just make these things out. Made someone decided that they liked the arches and put them on.....could always be a feasible explanation. Good luck.

[six appeal 53]

I seem to remember a guy from this very forum owned that car from new originally, and had the kit etc... put on, but can't for the life of me remember his name!

[BenW16 0]

JBL wernt it six appeal? if i remember he used t live down my way, green VR..

[BenW16 0]

another thing slim make sure its not white u'll be forever cleaning her

[six appeal 53]

No this one was Mulberry with the ABT wheels and bodykit. The guys has owned some seriously nice modded cars in his time, including a sorted G60 Mk2 with several features to its name, and then Awesome GTI's green Mk4, before he returned to the VR Highlines by buying K9ANY's one from here.

[six appeal 53]

WooHoo, just looked through my mail and seen a message from a while back from him, his name was Mike Tonge (sure he used to own the ABT Highline your on about slim), and those of you that have been into the Vdub seen for a few years are bound to remember some of his cars, particularly his Mk2.

[Slim 0]

Sounds like he has good credentials then, good enough for me.

[kobi 0]

Assuming it is his car slim!!

Seems strange a highline would have the plastic arch kit etc. Best to get the chap to verify the log book, i believe it should state there if its a highline or not.

A proper highline would look like the one above your last post "six appeals". Although in that pic you cant even see his side repeaters!

[acf8181 0]

that cause he's got rid of the side repeaters

[vr6highline28 0]

it will be on the V5 if its a genuine highline ....

[Eat this 2]

as above