Make a donation

Author Topic: what to look for???  (Read 729 times)

Offline wodder42

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 4
  • -Receive: 0
  • Posts: 197
    • Email
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

  • Won't Shut up.
  • *****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 17
  • -Receive: 47
  • Posts: 747
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).
Sarcasm for free. Anything after that can only be considered as a bonus.

Just because you think you know something, doesn't make you an expert if you've just read it on the internet, y'know.

Offline PatchySan

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 13
  • -Receive: 59
  • Posts: 268
  • Gracie!
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

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 53
  • -Receive: 86
  • Posts: 1547
    • Flickr
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
2016 Mk7 Golf GTD - Reflex Silver with stuff.

VCDS Hex+Can - Will code for beer!