Hi, I am looking at getting a mk3 golf but im torn as to which one. If i am to be sensible it would be the 8v gti but after driving one a few years ago i found it pretty unsinspiring. what is the 16v like to drive?? i would really like the VR6 but i would like to know peoples opinions on servicing/running costs first. I do have a very good VW specialist near me and they aren't that expensive
Dont waste your time with an 8v - you'll get bored of it too quickly ! The 16v's go well my mate has got one and its quite quick, he gets good fuel returns of about 33-36mpg avg, and isnt too expensive to insure. I went for the VR6 route and I can say in this case you get what you pay for, if you can afford to - GET ONE !!!! My insurance isnt much different to my mates 16v and we passed at the same time and are the same age, my fuel isnt that good mind - I struggle to get my mpg over 26, and if I get heavy with my right foot it quickly shoots down to 15/16 - I got it down to 8 when I went up against my mates 225bhp Mk4, dont tell the law !!! I couldnt really afford a minter so I looked for one that needed tidying up, and came across a 3 door '92 model with a misfire and generally looked tired, but with full history, I've spent 400 on top of my initial 1.5k - and its happy days - all sorted. You can easily pay this kind of money for a 16v, so the VR6 is never out of the question ! Good luck with the search
ive got an MK3 8v, have driven a MK3 16V and a VR6. Out the lot I'd have a VR6 (for the noise alone !) , but I'm very happy with my 8v. It all really depends on your driving style.
Like Victor says it depends on your driving style. I've owned an 8v and got bored of it fairly quickly. I've had my VR6 for a little over 3 years now servicing is no more than the 8V and the insurance isn't that much different if you shop around. Fuel can be an issue as mentioned above, on the motorway i average 28 but can drop it into the mid teens if you feel like goining for it. If you can afford it the VR6 is the way to go
I'd be very interested in a VR6 (possibly another Vento) if someone would attend to his PMs. If you can get one, I'd go for a 16v. If you can afford one, I'd go for a VR6 If you're desperate for GTI ownership and/or ona budget, then 8v.
8V doesn't deserve the GTI badgeVR6s can be big commitment now they are all a few years old. Just get yourself a quote for having the cam chains replaced and you will begin to understand what the true cost of VR ownership can be. At a 100K miles they need replacing if you want to be sure of guarding against engine failure. VRs are actually very lazy below 3,700rpm - not what you would expect from a 3 litre hatchback. Meant I ended up keeping mine above 4,000rpm and going everywhere more that 100mph or it was actually less fun to drive than my Mk28V. And they do like a drink! Unless you have more money than you know what to do with the days of the VR6 are over. Get a 16V or a TDI or for a proper GTI look for a nice Mk2 - early KJet 8V or a 16V
Does anyone know how much the cam chains cost to replace?? I thought these VR6's were pretty bullet proof!? I have a budget for a GTI of around 2.5k but will stretch to around 3.5k for a VR6. I've already had a mk2 gti so thats out of the question and i'm not a big fan of diesels so thats also out
Parts cost about 200.00 (chains and guides) all from ether GSF or ECP. A garage will charge anywhere from 450 to 1000, but it's not that hard a job, just takes a long time. A mate of mine and I could have done it in a weekend if I'd remembered all the right parts to get Don't be put off by all the doom and gloom about VR's they're great, yeah the engine likes to rev, but it's not like it's slow lower down the rev range ether. Aside from the petrol thing there's not much difference in running them IMHO. My only real advice try to get a late spec one, the early ones rust.
I say the same thing every time this crops up Test drive a VR....you will buy. Don't test drive a VR.... you will buy a 16v And whats wrong with buying a subtley modded VR......mine already had induction, exhaust and 17s on. So never needed to spend much to get it looking good Oh and Stealth usually charge abou 700-800 for chains and clutch
on my 3rd vr6 this time a 97 highline,just failed mot on corrosion on sills (seems quite common) so just bought a 96 mk3 gti 16v( no rust) while i get the vr sorted.prefer vr but 16v economy
if you can afford vr6 running costs then the sensible side of your brain should be telling you to get something much much faster. vr6 petrol wise isnt much different to my S4. performance wise there is a gaping valley between a 16v and an S4. the same cant be said for the 16v and vr6
I have got a 16v and gotta say it's my fav of the mk3 bunch. Great power, good on fuel and absolutely indestructible. In my opinion the mk3 VR6 is over rated(prepares to get hung), but this is just my opinion.
