Clapped out Mk3 1994 TD - bangernomics question

[baldmosher]

I'd like to make sure it's really not worth repairing this old thing, I think it's not, but better the devil you know and all that. Bodywork, chassis and underbody are in great shape and only 114k on the clock, so it should be quite saleable.

At some point in the next year or two, it'll probably need:
- clutch (£400?)
- gearbox (£?? - can it be refurb'd or is a straight swap cheaper?)
- 2 suspension arms (£80 each)
- full exhaust (£300?)

Are my costings about right? Or is there a cheaper way of doing things?

What caps it off is that the engine "isn't great" according to my local garage. However, it's a diesel, so I assume that "not great" means it'll keep going if I don't rag it.

I'm debating whether to sell asap after MOT in March (if it passes), or keep it and repair as I go along. What are your thoughts?

[BDZ]

Overall costs sound about right but I'd say you could get the clutch done for less than £300 but a full exhaust fitted will cost more than £300.

Not sure about gearboxes.

If it was my car I'd say sell it once it has 12 months MOT on it if you know you're going to have to fork out for a new clutch/exhaust. The total work you've listed there would be about £700 + cost of a gearbox which would probably be more than the value of the car.

[jet]

In my experience, keep and fix is always the cheaper option. Buying second hand is buying into the unknown and therefore unknown potential costs. If bargain motoring is your main objective, then keep. If you want a newer model or fancy a change, then now is a good time to upgrade. Your car isn't going to lose any significant value, but you should be able to pick up a newer model really cheap at the mo.
Lets face it though, if you get all the repairs done on your car and it lasts you another 3 years, thats very cheap motoring. Combining jobs should make things cheaper. If your going to replace the clutch and you know that the gearbox needs replacing, then get them both done at the same time. It will add little labour time and you should be able to pick up a good condition second hand box for a couple of hundred quid.
I'm slightly surprised that so much needs sorting though. Are you sure the engine and gearbox are really that bad? These motors, if well looked after, should easily make it into the 200k mark. I just bought a 110k tdi, which sounds rough and is lumpy as hell, has a bit of oil leaking out of it, but goes well enough. I expect with regular oil changes that it should get into the 200k bracket without an engine and gearbox change.
Just my opinion!

[zollaf]

even if it needs 700 odd quid spending on it, which would exceed its value, what else would you get for that money? if you decide to sell it and get another cheap car, you only need to put brakes tyres etc, and youve suddenly swallowed a whole lot more cash. if the body etc is all good, i would stick with it, get the work done and enjoy it for a few more years. folk always say its not worht repairing if the cost is more than its worth, but its what it is worth to you that counts, and how much you need to spend to replace it.does your garage that said the engine isnt great have another car they want to sell you by any chance?

[baldmosher]

If I do get rid....

I am thinking about upgrading to something a bit more modern (had thoughts on a Leon/Mk4 Golf or even a Corolla but really I'm not that fussed what I get), but I don't do enough mileage for extra mpg from more modern engines to bother me, but I do want the extra power from the TDi. However, not enough to sway my decision.

Value for money is by far the biggest factor. I would require a loan for a newer car, and in this day and age I may not be given a loan, although I should be OK. However, I know how much keeping the Golf could cost me, and it's definitely not as much as I'd spend on any other newer car, but I'd have to pay cash for it!

If I don't sell it...

The car has a towbar, which instantly implies extra wear on the mechanicals, if nothing else. Also it's definitely had a fairly bad bump in the past as the chassis appears to be slightly bent (did I mention that before?) and I replaced the peeling bonnet and rotten boot hatch last month, so I assume it's been maltreated by previous owner(s). It's probably been abused for a few years, and it was traded in for a W reg Laguna (!). I think the Laguna is "top flight bangernomics" so I probably bought the "second division" equivalent....! Not to say it's automatically uneconomical to keep on the road, but.....

Clutch has a very high biting point, and (forgive my ignorance of technical terms) when changing gear quickly, if I flip the accel before I release the clutch, it sometimes doesn't "catch" properly, and then "slips" out of gear, emptily revving rather than accelerating. It's a bit disconcerting (and probably not very safe) but a snap release of the accelerator catches the gear and I can accelerate again. (For now. It's biting a lot lower than an old Rover 400 I once drove, which I couldn't even wheelspin in mud because the clutch was so soft!)

The gearbox is a bit clacky (and has started occasionally clunking from 2nd into 3rd) and this is much more of a worry for me as g/b collapse = no car. If it collapses before I sell it, I would of course replace both g/b and clutch together.

I guess, considering the above, that's why I wasn't surprised when they said that the engine "isn't great". Valve seals going, etc. generally high wear & tear for its mileage but prob not for its age.

It failed MOT last year on emissions (but scraped through after remedials) so if it fails on the same thing I will probably get rid once fixed. If nothing else, it's £190 a year for road tax, and if it'll cost £100 to fix the emissions each year that's not exactly cheap motoring! Otherwise, if it's ok at MOT, it's probably worth keeping it as jet points out.

EDIT:
How much for a replacement gearbox and engine from a smashed up TDi?

[jet]

Yikes, with all that lot I'd have to change tack and say get rid!
Just stick it on ebay, see what you get, put the cash towards a late 90's tdi.
Should be able to get a good one with FSH for a grand and full mot. I can point you towards one I nearly bought if it's still for sale. Looked really nice, but was too far for me to travel.
Sounds like your going to be constantly chasing repairs with this one, and if your not comfortable with the car...which it sounds like your not, then it'll be a lifestyle upgrade too

[Martin Burnard]

Change it

As a motor trader I am not bias in any way!

[baldmosher]

Yikes, with all that lot I'd have to change tack and say get rid!

lol, I didn't mention the front suspension arms need changing either did I. Nor the list of non-mechanical things I'd like to get fixed.....

As a motor trader I am not bias in any way!

Maybe not, but do you have a late 90s TDi on sale for cheap money????

[Martin Burnard]

Maybe not, but do you have a late 90s TDi on sale for cheap money????

Working on a deal for a 1998 (T) Passat sport Tdi (110) estate. 150k on the clock, to come in as a PX. It's a longshot deal but who knows

(Mods will beat me up now for potential advertising!)

[jet]

l
Maybe not, but do you have a late 90s TDi on sale for cheap money????

Mate, they come up all the time on ebay, just make sure you get to see it before bidding.
I took a winger on an mine without seeing it, but bought from a trader so was reasonably re-assured. Apart from a wheel bearing so far it's been perfect.
for 800 quid it's a bargain!