Picking up 2001 1.8t GTI tomorrow!

[cerebral]

Hello,

Picking up car tomorrow, 2001 1.8t GTI, 110k on clock, fsh, 1 owner from new, totally standard apart from some crap gear knob, timing belt done last year, not sure about waterpump will check and plan replacing if necessary, seems sound mechanically after a test drive, few bits need doing.
1. Rusty tailgate handle, after searching a popped washer pipe looks favourite so i'll fix that then replace the handle with a 2nd hand one from ebay and sand/prime/paint the bit of rust on the tailgate, odd scratch here and there to touch up also.
2. Gear knob loose, seen a couple of guides to fixing, should be pretty easy.
3. Heated drivers seat not working, i'll probably leave this tbh, looks a bit messy and not really bothered about it.
4. Headlight washer not working, again can live with this but if it's an easy fix will have a look at it.

Picking up from Manchester and driving 100 miles back to Carlisle so I'm a little nervous, gonna sort RAC membership later.

Anyway thought I'd best say hello coz I'm sure I'll need some advice sooner or later.

[barrym381]

welcome    if its same owner from new chances are he done the water pump when doing the belt

[cerebral]

Thanks Barry, there's a folder full of bills/history looks like it's been maintained well so would of thought the water pumps been done. Should it be replaced with an uprated/imporved one and when will it need replacing again?

[barrym381]

Thanks Barry, there's a folder full of bills/history looks like it's been maintained well so would of thought the water pumps been done. Should it be replaced with an uprated/imporved one and when will it need replacing again?

if it was done last year it will be another 3 year before needing done again 

[cerebral]

Cheers barry, that's the breakdown cover sorted and I've ordered a cheap fault code reader/scanner from ebay.

[Mr_Orange]

Happy days! Welcome aboard Looking forward to hearing more about it and seeing some pics.

[cerebral]

Thanks Mr Orange, picked car up and had a nice 100 mile trip home up the M6 and on some twisty A roads. Drives great, if I'm being really picky there's a little bit of play in the steering and the air con needs a recharge, Engine sounded sweet, no suspension knocks, brakes good, well happy so far, hoping fault reader arrives tomorrow and that's all clear.

Waterpump was done at same time as timing belt (last year) and it had a new clutch couple years ago, fingers crossed think I've got a decent car, bit rough around the edges but mechanically seems solid.

I'll get some pics up over the weekend and maybe start a thread showing a couple of minor rust repairs that need doing and hopefully pick up some tips.

[cerebral]

Cheapo fault reader arrived first thing, got one error under srs - battery low or bad earth (something along those lines) Battery was replaced not long ago, so I've just reset and will test again in a couple days.