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Author Topic: How much for a new turbo?  (Read 4436 times)

Offline Moz

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How much for a new turbo?
« on: July 10, 2012, 03:56:53 pm »
After months and months of this annoying rattle noise on release of my accelerator, I finally gave it to a guy who looked and said it's one of two things.

1. The Pre cat has broken
2. The Turbo

Since I've had a different down pipe installed and a pre cat removed it means it's the turbo.

Performance isn't down from what I know but I've not driven any other GTIs or raced it.

So my question is,

It I need a recon turbo, how much am I looking?
Can you buy them online?
What is the make of the OEM Turbo?

Thanks in advance guys.

Offline sub39h

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Re: How much for a new turbo?
« Reply #1 on: July 10, 2012, 04:02:25 pm »
the OEM turbo is made by Borg Warner, and is the "K03" turbo. they are available fairly cheaply as they're the base turbo and hence nobody wants them. (they all want the upgrades.)

i would make sure you get it looked at by a 2.0T specialist before you start having expensive bits replaced tho especially as it's unusual for turbos to go on these things. R-Tech in Hinckley (if local to you) are the  best place to start IMHO

also, if your turbo has indeed gone, may be a good opportunity to upgrade it? i don't know what your plans are but if you're replacing it anyway might as well make things better as you go. more money, but more fun  :driver:
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Offline RedRobin

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Re: How much for a new turbo?
« Reply #2 on: July 10, 2012, 04:08:16 pm »
.
When I replaced my K03 turbo back in ~2008 they cost ~£1,000 from VW brand new with warranty etc. I chose not to spend my money on a K04 upgrade with all the necessary extras, and I spent it on KW-V3's, WALK, etc, on handling mods and am glad I did.

JKM sourced me a very low mileage K03 turbo from a customer who was immediately upgrading to K04 in his new car. I think I paid £400.


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Offline Moz

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Re: How much for a new turbo?
« Reply #3 on: July 10, 2012, 04:10:13 pm »
the OEM turbo is made by Borg Warner, and is the "K03" turbo. they are available fairly cheaply as they're the base turbo and hence nobody wants them. (they all want the upgrades.)

i would make sure you get it looked at by a 2.0T specialist before you start having expensive bits replaced tho especially as it's unusual for turbos to go on these things. R-Tech in Hinckley (if local to you) are the  best place to start IMHO

also, if your turbo has indeed gone, may be a good opportunity to upgrade it? i don't know what your plans are but if you're replacing it anyway might as well make things better as you go. more money, but more fun  :driver:

Thank you fella, my mechanic said he'll strip it out and have a look, if there is nothing obvious he'd want to send it to a turbo specialist where I am to confirm what's up with it. The fact the car runs and pulls means it's not totally goosed I suppose.

I'm planning on selling the car, so would want the cheapest option possible, which will be a KO3 I'm guessing then.

Just wanted to get a base idea really.

Appreciate the quick response


Offline Moz

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Re: How much for a new turbo?
« Reply #4 on: July 10, 2012, 04:10:49 pm »
.
When I replaced my K03 turbo back in ~2008 they cost ~£1,000 from VW brand new with warranty etc. I chose not to spend my money on a K04 upgrade with all the necessary extras, and I spent it on KW-V3's, WALK, etc, on handling mods and am glad I did.

JKM sourced me a very low mileage K03 turbo from a customer who was immediately upgrading to K04 in his new car. I think I paid £400.

Thanks for that Robin, will bare that in mind  :drinking:

Offline RedRobin

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Re: How much for a new turbo?
« Reply #5 on: July 10, 2012, 04:11:50 pm »

the OEM turbo is made by Borg Warner, and is the "K03" turbo. they are available fairly cheaply as they're the base turbo and hence nobody wants them. (they all want the upgrades.)

i would make sure you get it looked at by a 2.0T specialist before you start having expensive bits replaced tho especially as it's unusual for turbos to go on these things.


....Good advice  :happy2:

Depending where you are located, R-Tech, JKM, and AKS (Alex), would be good places.

I'm glad to hear that no-one now wants K03's because if I ever get another turbo problem it'll be cheaper to replace.


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Offline GarethB

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Re: How much for a new turbo?
« Reply #6 on: July 10, 2012, 04:24:42 pm »
JKM feel that my car may have a potential wastegate issue (see Robin's build thread or numerous links scattered around the site  :wink:). As my car is used daily, I don't want it off the road for long, so I purchased a second hand K03 from a kind chap on here.

It is currently on its way to The Turbo Centre for a refurb, and will then be swapped over in one sitting to see if it resolves my problem.

I'd be happy to sell you my old turbo once it is off the car. You could then send it for a refurb, which may be cheaper package than purchasing a reconditioned turbo directly form a tuner.....

If not, then I'll have a spare  :signLOL:

Offline Moz

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Re: How much for a new turbo?
« Reply #7 on: July 10, 2012, 04:32:48 pm »
JKM feel that my car may have a potential wastegate issue (see Robin's build thread or numerous links scattered around the site  :wink:). As my car is used daily, I don't want it off the road for long, so I purchased a second hand K03 from a kind chap on here.

It is currently on its way to The Turbo Centre for a refurb, and will then be swapped over in one sitting to see if it resolves my problem.

I'd be happy to sell you my old turbo once it is off the car. You could then send it for a refurb, which may be cheaper package than purchasing a reconditioned turbo directly form a tuner.....

If not, then I'll have a spare  :signLOL:

Thank you mate, sounds like a good plan!

I suppose best thing to do is wait and see what it is, as it might only be something simple (I hope)!