Polo 6N2 (MK3 Facelift) 16v/GTi Buying Advice?

[faaaaast]

Guys,

Looking into buying a 6N2 (Mk3F) Polo for my daily drive. A couple of people told me that the 1.4/1.6 polo engines can be prone to burning a lot of oil (and that this is to VW spec). However, don't know which/what generation of engines they were referring to.

I'm really interested in the 6N2 (2001 ish) GTi Polo (this is a 1.6 16v, right?). Are there any issues such as the above, or any known issues at all to watch out for on these cars?

How much power can you extract from them in 'non-standard' form?

Cheers,
James

[Mouse]

Originally Posted by faaaaast

Guys,

Looking into buying a 6N2 (Mk3F) Polo for my daily drive. A couple of people told me that the 1.4/1.6 polo engines can be prone to burning a lot of oil (and that this is to VW spec). However, don't know which/what generation of engines they were referring to.

I'm really interested in the 6N2 (2001 ish) GTi Polo (this is a 1.6 16v, right?). Are there any issues such as the above, or any known issues at all to watch out for on these cars?

How much power can you extract from them in 'non-standard' form?

Cheers,
James

Never heard of any problems of the GTI burning oil. Gearbox is the most talked about problem (basically it originates from the 80's when Polos had around 65bhp tops - so 125 bhp isn't the best idea). If it has a whining noise then the gearbox is on its way out, and will cost from £300 right up to £1000 to sort. Clutch is heavy as standard. Other than that they are pretty reliable and suffer the odd niggly problem like any other car. Here are some good threads:

UK-POLOS.NET :: View topic - "I Am Looking For A GTi - What Do I Need To Know?"

UK-POLOS.NET :: View topic - Polo GTi - FAQ - Common Modifications and Advice

They are good cars, a rediculous high spec for its type and age, and they did cost £14k new. Nippy for their size and sounds great past 5000 rpm when the VVT kicks in. Handles well as standard but even better on coilovers. I think the brakes are crap but even upgrading mine they still are (so probably just a problem with my car). Leather was a £1000 option so cars with it usually cost around £500 more second hand. I'm lucky to have it. It seems silver cars are most common with leather. You can get 140 bhp with an air filter, remap, manifold and exhaust. To get 160+ be prepared to spend thousands on forced induction or throttle bodies etc

[faaaaast]

Originally Posted by Mouse

Never heard of any problems of the GTI burning oil. Gearbox is the most talked about problem (basically it originates from the 80's when Polos had around 65bhp tops - so 125 bhp isn't the best idea). If it has a whining noise then the gearbox is on its way out, and will cost from £300 right up to £1000 to sort. Clutch is heavy as standard. Other than that they are pretty reliable and suffer the odd niggly problem like any other car. Here are some good threads:

UK-POLOS.NET :: View topic - "I Am Looking For A GTi - What Do I Need To Know?"

UK-POLOS.NET :: View topic - Polo GTi - FAQ - Common Modifications and Advice

They are good cars, a rediculous high spec for its type and age, and they did cost £14k new. Nippy for their size and sounds great past 5000 rpm when the VVT kicks in. Handles well as standard but even better on coilovers. I think the brakes are crap but even upgrading mine they still are (so probably just a problem with my car). Leather was a £1000 option so cars with it usually cost around £500 more second hand. I'm lucky to have it. It seems silver cars are most common with leather. You can get 140 bhp with an air filter, remap, manifold and exhaust. To get 160+ be prepared to spend thousands on forced induction or throttle bodies etc

Hi,

Thanks for that! Bizarrely only just had time to get back on here and reply - too busy at the moment and not enough time for car stuff...

Well, that sounds OK apart from the gearbox issues. Do you know if the non-GTi 1.4/1.6 had oil burning problems because it keeps being mentioned to me when I talk to people about these cars?

Any idea of the fuel consumption of the 1.4/1.6/1.6 GTi?

Cheers,
James

[Mouse]

The GTI is quite good on fuel and even though the 16v is less powerful it does about the same. I get 33-36 MPG everyday driving (i.e. 45 litre tank, 38 litres until light comes on and I've usually done 280-300 miles). My best is just over 46 MPG doing 55-60 on the Motorway for 300 miles. My lowest was about 31 MPG. All those figures are using V-Power though

I've not heard any problems about Polos burning oil, maybe possibly older ones (>Mk3's). Mine certainly doesn't and I change it every 5000k