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Author Topic: what to look for???  (Read 725 times)

Offline wodder42

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what to look for???
« on: January 14, 2014, 01:55:44 pm »
Hi, looking at buying a 54 plate 140 tdi...anything I should look out for?
140 GT, Steel grey, smoothed R32 rear, GTI front with all black US grill, DRL's, ED30 interior, GTI pedal set, 18" Monzas, GTI headlights and R32 rear lights

Offline Viking

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Re: what to look for???
« Reply #1 on: January 14, 2014, 02:13:16 pm »
Check rear tyre wear on the inside edge, poor tracking causes feather edges and rumbling like a wheel bearing away.

Check service history with correct spec oil (VW504/507 - 5w 30).

Should've had 2 cambelt changes by now at 4 years each. If going by mileage it's every 80k miles.

Listen for turbo "Owl" noises when playing with the throttle. Not really a major problem if it's fairly quiet as they all do it when they get some miles on, but you can use it as a bargaining tool.

Visibly check turbo boost hoses to see if there's any sings on them having slipped out and been refitted. Down the front behind the radiator is where mine popped out (coincidentally just after the Seat dealers had been in there and checked the flywheel on a recall).
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Offline PatchySan

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Re: what to look for???
« Reply #2 on: January 14, 2014, 03:15:54 pm »
Also have a feel of the steering when doing a turning lock, any irregularties (screeching noises, notchiness) tends to mean the Steering Rack is knackered and it's not a cheap fix.

Offline Degudodger

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Re: what to look for???
« Reply #3 on: January 14, 2014, 03:28:31 pm »
Also check which head revision is on the car as the early versions are prone to being porous and cracking. To do this, lift off the engine cover and follow the fuel pipes back to the front right corner on top of the engine what you are looking for is a part number (normally upside down) ending with a letter.

A - High % of reported cracked heads - if yours hasn't cracked factor in £600 into the cost of the car in case it needs replacing.
B - Refined revision, still known issues but less than rev A
C - latest revision with with VERY few reported cases of head damage

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=27847.0
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