Buying a high milage V6 4motion...?

[cняis]

Boys and girls.

Advice please...

Been offered a reasonably priced V6 4motion, 2001, it's been stood for a while and is a bit rough & ready, but some service history and 11 months MOT.

Now... it's covered 190k. A lot of miles! Should I steer clear?

What are these engines like at this sort of mileage? How do the rear boxes (Haldex?) cope with muchous miles under the belt?

I'm expecting some chain rattle when warm like my VR, although I'm yet to test drive it.

Anything else to look for?

 

[scarr89]

I don't think I'd buy a diesel, let alone a petrol with that many miles on 

[cullygti]

my wifes a3 tdi got 180k on it still going strong 

[Steve_PD]

And mine Just

Less things to go wrong with a NA car.

Haldex should be serviced every 40k so make sure its been done otherwise its costly.
As for the chains its the same as the vr. Have read they should be changed but times seem to vary.

Then you've got all the usual mk4 problems too

[scarr89]

my wifes a3 tdi got 180k on it still going strong 

Lol, doesn't mean I'd buy it!  

[cняis]

I don't think I'd buy a diesel, let alone a petrol with that many miles on 

I'm not afraid of mileage in general, my old mk2 hit 248k before I sold it, and it was still going strong.

And mine Just

Less things to go wrong with a NA car.

Haldex should be serviced every 40k so make sure its been done otherwise its costly.
As for the chains its the same as the vr. Have read they should be changed but times seem to vary.

Then you've got all the usual mk4 problems too

Open my eyes to these usual problems... 

This would be replacing our 145k 1.8 mk3 daily, which fails to die. I cant warrant another unreliable toy like the mk2. If the mk3 does play up, its easy enough to fix, something I dubious of with a V6... you know, more to go wrong...

[Steve_PD]

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=38557.0

The engine will be pretty much bullet proof its just everything else around it which seems to break

[cняis]

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=38557.0

The engine will be pretty much bullet proof its just everything else around it which seems to break

Thanks.

My only experience of mk4's is assisting on MOTs, where I usually notice that most of them are tatty and the interior drivers door grab handle is falling off (funny I couldnt see that on your list) 

Im aware I wont be getting a gem for the money he wants, but we need something more presentable and I want power again.

So engine/haldex not likely to go bang then?

[Wayne]

Cam chains should be checked every 100k, doubt I would buy one with that many miles tbh.

[damien010685]

Think it's fair to say most folk would say that about any car with that miles have seen a few 4mos with high mileage Barry from here his mileage was near 190k and was going strong.... U could buy a car with half the miles and it might die!!! It's just down to plain old luck and the hope it's been well looked after.  As previously mentioned mate haldex is a big thing to look out for making sure its been serviced and timing chains but I have heard and read unless they are making noise they are fine.... However it does say they should be changed after 100k.... Go for it mate the 4mo is ace I love mine I have just hit the 70k on my clocks hopefully many more miles to go!!! But lol it is a mk4...