Should I buy a VW Polo GTI with a damaged gearbox??

[Jazz the man]

Hello Everyone,

I am thinking of buying A VW Polo GTI (6n2) W reg with a damaged gearbox as you might of guessed Lol

Thing is the car I have seen is going very cheap but no working gearbox and am i was thinking of putting in a replacement gearbox maybe even if possible a stronger gearbox, the rest of the car looks fine in pics and am going to see the car in person later this week, I was wondering if anyone here has done the same and can tell me what the rough cost of getting the parts and cost of getting it all fixed up and running again and what, if any troubles you ran into while fixing the gearbox issue???

Jazz

[alexperkins]

If you replace the gearbox itll be ok, but the price of the car has to reflect this.

There is no stronger gearbox for the 6N2 - only rebuilt gearboxes with upgraded parts in some instances, but these are custom rebuilds and not a standard item

Gearbox rebuild with labour will cost around £600-£700, and you should tie a clutch replacement in at the same time for convenience.

[6n2stan]

I did this recently. The box off and on is OK just tight on space compared with other cars I've worked on.

I paid £570 all in for a comprehensive rebuild including new bearings, layshaft and an uprated diff too.

Factor in around £20-30 for gearbox oil, £70+ for a clutch and possibly around £60 for a track and camber if you disturb the hubs to move the drive shafts out.

You may also need the gearstick re rigging which is a VW only thing, I need to get this done and will cost more ££££'s.

[Jazz the man]

Thank you both for replying and giving the helpful info, I will use it well, two other things

1 is i viewed the car today and because it was sitting still for a few months ( well that's what the guy selling says) I noticed that there was some white smoke coming from the exhaust while the engine was running while i checked over the car, is that something to worry about or will a good service and a good run once the gearbox is sorted going to fix?

2 the guy had to used a jump pack to start the car cause like i said its been sitting still for months, always noticed that the airbag light stayed on while i was checking the car over, the guy says that never happened before and thinks it could be cause he used a jump pack to start the car,could what he saying be true or is that a problem with airbag system?

sorry if i sound a little silly just want to make sure i aint biting off more then i car handle lol

Jazz

[alexperkins]

White smoke, as long as its not plumes, is probably just condensation in the exhaust that should clear after 10-20 mins

The airbag light - that means a fault in the airbag system. Its nothing to do with jumpstarting it at all

To me, this car sounds like its been through the war a little.

[joe2612]

As alex said, if it's been sitting a while its common for the exhaust to condensate on start up. Out of interest have you got a link for the car you are looking at?

[Jazz the man]

Once again thank you both for your inputs, I decided to give that Polo a miss, just too many minor problems to fix on my budget, specially not knowing how deep the "rabbit" can go, but if i had the budget i'd drop the 1.8 turbo from the mk4 gti golf and put a stage two turbo kit on it too and up grade the all the parts aww the dreams lool.

here is the link you asked for

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volkswagen-Po ... 1314525267

[joe2612]

I thought it was this one, it has been sale for a LONG time. Well over 18 months anyhow.

[6n2stan]

Without the original wheels and the problems mentioned, I think he's asking too much IMO.

I hate to say it because I'd wanna save it but it'd make more money parted out

[Jazz the man]

Wow so glad i gave that one a miss, also found another that's up north, that's sounds too good to be truth, seems am finding all the bad ones first but hey that's cool, cause soon i will find the sweet ones then i can get my "VW" smile bacK, I miss my VW GOLF MK3, I had loads of fun in that car.