Thinking of buying a VR6..

[actionslax]

 I've had my 8 valver for nearly 2 years and i think it's time for change.  I use to have and compete in a race prepped V8 landrover and ever since i parted with that few months ago i'm missing the sound of the biggar engine  , and the power.

Looking to spend up to 4k.

(I checked the what to look out above for info so apologies if these q's below have come up umpteem times before)

Few questions for those who own, have owned -

is the fuel consumption :

• bad
• not so bad
• or ok

Would the maintanance be much different from the up keep of my 8 valver - regular oil changes/ servicing etc?

Does it eat front tyres?

Is there any major faults like the head gasket etc which are destined to happen at certain mileage points?

Am i walking into an expensive insurance premium? (Got about 8 yrs ncb. but max's at 5/6 i think)

cheers in advance...

slax

[jte]

I've had my VR6 for six months now since upgrading from a mk3 16v,  i've covered about 8k miles in it.

Fuel consumption from mine is 26mpg according to the long term trip computer, which seems accurate when i've worked it out using petrol and mileage.  Most of my driving is on A roads, hardly Motorway at all and a fair bit of town traffic.  I drive fairly enthusiastically most of the time.

Regular Oil changes are really important for a VR6, every 5,000 miles is necessary, it takes 6 litres of oil and a vw filter is a complete rip off at ?12.

Main Dealer servicing is about ?100 for oil change, ?170 for Inspection 1 service and ?280 for Inspection 2.  Services are every 10,000 miles.  And obviously cheaper at independants. 

Mine had new tyres on when i bought it and i reckon there's at least another 2,000 miles to go.  And they are cheap crap tyres!  So it's not too bad, most people reckon 10,000 from a pair of fronts. 

There are not many known faults.  Early VR6s did have head gasket problems but it is fairly rare, later ones were changed for a better part.

The main thing to go is the cam chain tensioner and guide rail.  The tensioner on pre 97 vr6s is poo and doesn't work very well leading to a broken guide rail and possibly even chain damage.  This usually starts showing at about 100k miles and you can tell by a very rattly engine between 1,000 and 3,000 rpm.  When its bad it sounds like a sewing machine.  Replacing the tensioner and rail is quite easy i understand, Probably costs about ?300 at a garage.  It can be changed for the new style part that works much better and lasts a lot longer.

Insurance is a lottery, but with you're ncb shouldn't be too scary, get some quotes!  Vr6s are group 16-17.

4k should get you a very nice VR6.

[g0ldf1sh]

Hi,

I've only had my VR6 three weeks.  Having owned a MKII Golf GTI 8Valve before that.  I'd say the fuel isn't as bad as some people make out.  It is quite good infact.  It's thirsty went on song yes but aren't most cars??

I'm averaging about 25mpg, around town and about 37mpg on say a 30 mile trip @ 50 -70 mph.

It's more mpg than i expected to be truthful, i thought it was going to be heavy on fuel, mines only done 87k and has fsh.  Is very quiet until i throttle it, when 4k arrives on rev counter everything goes ballistic, it's got a nice air filter on it and boy does it sound sweet.  Kinda like a lambo, changing gears only makes it sound nicer.  Hehe.  One well happy buyer.

I've got coilovers on the car and it's literally crawling accross the floor.  I've had to replace the sump already with new oil, filter, gasket etc.  Cost me ?170 at specialist. 

I've yet to buy tyres but think it's probably going to be similar to my previous cars, Subaru Impreza, Audi S3, BMW M3 Evo etc.  Maybe not as bad as those but with the torque these engines produce fronts are going to wear quicker.  Again depends on driving style and how much you like listening to the engine music!!!

I've seen 9mpg on the computer under full load with what i call "spirited driving antics".  The best thing with the cars is that you can literally drive them on the torque.  No need to keep changing gears as they pull up hills in 4th and 5th.  Change gears low down the rev range and they don't start to judder like most cars. 

Hope that helps a little more!! 

G0ldy