high mileage 8v

[dooscooby]

hi all, i have recently brought a 1996 "p plate" black 3 door 8v with 135.000 on the clock for ?1800. however it was my brother's car who had it from new. it has vag servicing up until 2001 & then was serviced by himself using genuine parts & good quality synthetic oil, & most of the miles are motorway & it has never been thrashed or over 80 mph. it is outstanding inside & out with no rust at all & still with original clutch & all the electrics work and it looks and drives like it has done 50,000 miles without ever having a break down? so i know the history of the car. my only concern is me & the wife are going too the south of france next year in this car. i am sure it will be ok but was wondering if anyone on here has a similar mileage car & could possibly give me tips on best preparing this car for a 2,500 mile round trip the cambelt is being replaced next week so that should be ok. any advice appreciated thanks in advance!!

[davidhawkins_78]

Just generally give it a good going over - but pay the most attention to the main things that could hurt you if they fail (brakes etc).

Over and above that if she's in a good knick as you say don't worry too much, just get some pucker breakdown cover that works in europe.

Some failures u just can't prepare for !

[dooscooby]

yes the breakdown cover is very important & it is included in the holiday package but i will certainly read the small print now that you have reminded me. "you never know" many thanks? edited yes of course brakes can be overlooked tend too think more of engine than the important things like brakes 

[gibby]

I agree with Dave that all possibilities cannot be stopped but as long as you give it a full service and do the usual checks before setting off then there's no reason why you shouldn't be ok, you wouldn't give it a thought about doing 2,500 miles around town etc, the scary bit is that you are in a foreign land I guess but as long as you have good breakdown cover then there's nothing more you can do, it will be all about luck and good old VW reliability ! 

I fancy doing France in my camper sometime now there's a worry !!!! 

[dooscooby]

you should try france in any vehicle its great fun would be excellent in a camper loads of stop off points. did it once before in 98 made st tropez in 21 hrs in a pug 405 but only had 42,000 on the clock. but i prefer my vw now thou. even with loads more miles on the clock. thanks for advice!

[Hattie]

Buy some 5 star insurance from the RAC or similar and take a dictionary just in case.

My parents and I used to go camping in the south of France driving a variety of Lotuses in the 70s - a sturdy VW will be no problem! We had various disasters over the years including a new set of wheels having to be flown out to us from Lotus HQ but the RAC came up trumps every time. 

You'll have a super time, go for it.

[Len]

As ur going to a warm place, i would make a really thorough check of all the water hoses!

Hey was it an Mi 16 Pug by any chance?  chuckle, chuckle!

[dooscooby]

good point about the hoses will give them a thorough check before we go. as we go in augaust so will be very hot. may even change a few as? a precaution. unfortunately the 405 was a 1.9 petrol but it did make light work of the french motorways with me the wife and 3 kids? so much so that i went and brought a 205 1.9 gti. soon after. and i went for the pre cat model.? sadly rust got the better of it a few years later but i? always fancied an mi16 405 but never got round to it. thanks for the advice a worthy point!!?& may look into some more cover ie: rac got too be worth a few quid more for peace of mind thanks everyone made the post worth while?

[8vgti]

Got a '97 P reg, 5 door 8v and that has 131k on the clock. Done nearly 60k of those since I have owned it in the last 3 years and it (fingers crossed) is still on same clutch and some original exhaust sections!! Agree with what has been said as long as it has been serviced and you get good breakdown cover shouldnt be a prob.....oh and my 8v, like yours has never been over 80mph or thrashed

[golf96]

My golf has dne 141000 miles its a N reg 96 GTi 8v & she is still going like a rocket, She sees 100 once every week on the way to city, & she is regualy serviced Oil&filters a must and just the standard milage servicing, so just get in & enjoy it as long as this has nbeen done it will just be fate that lets you down like my mate who bourght a new ferrari & she broke down on way home from London on the M25 so just enjoy