Potential Scirocco Purchase: Advice?

Rockertom · Post by **Rockertom** » Thu Dec 31, 2015 9:44 pm

New to the forum, need a bit of friendly advice!

About to buy a 59 plate Scirocco 2.0 TDI GT 140 and there are a few things have a cause for concern.

The dealer is an independant (been around for 10 years+) Mercedes Part Exchange dealer.
The log book was a copy - told this is not rare.

The main concern with this car in particular was that its on 73,000 miles + and has not had the timing chain(cambelt?)/water pump changed since new. There are however, regular services which are all but one stamped in the log book. Will there be any damage to the engine as a result of the cambelt/water pump not being changed?

On further inspection, there appeared to be no oil whatsoever in the engine.

The car has been in the dealer with no MOT for a month now which is also slightly worrying as the price is market price (compared to others nearby).

We are going back next week to test drive (once the MOT is done) and the dealer claims they are going to also fit two new tyres and replace the spare key which is missing.

Am I missing something, there must be a reason why the car has not been test driven in a month, it has been fully advertised.

Cheers,

Tom

Cuprabob · Post by **Cuprabob** » Thu Dec 31, 2015 9:56 pm

That engine has a cambelt and should be changed every 5 years for cars registered after Sep 2009. 4 years if registered prior. Therefore it is overdue on the car and should be done.

The mileage isn't an issue but it doesn't sound if it's been looked after, so personally I would give it a miss. Plenty to choose from out there.

Copy of log book and lack of oil in the engine just sets off alarm bells.

Rockertom · Post by **Rockertom** » Thu Dec 31, 2015 10:06 pm

Cheers for your reply!

The dealer is replacing cambelt water pump spare key, tyres etc. so when we test drive it on Monday I am hoping any faults will shine.

Thing is its close to home and the perfect spec, colour trim etc.
Anything I should look/listen out for when test driving it?

Cuprabob · Post by **Cuprabob** » Thu Dec 31, 2015 10:32 pm

The rear tyres can wear oddly which can give a droning / rumbling noise from the rear at certain speeds. Often mistaken as worn wheel bearings.

Other than that, there are no specific issues with the diesel engine.

At that mileage check the brake disc and pads, if there is no record of them being changed.

Make sure all the electrics work, including the DCC (Dynamic Chassis Control). Make sure you try all 3 settings (comfort / normal / sport). Also, changes the weight of the steering.

Rockertom · Post by **Rockertom** » Thu Dec 31, 2015 11:03 pm

Alright cheers, I'll check that.

I understand there are hundreds of threads on this forum about lighting but a quick question:
How easy/expensive is it to alter halogen lights to xenon/LED/HID side lights?

Cuprabob · Post by **Cuprabob** » Thu Dec 31, 2015 11:44 pm

Changing the sidelights to LED is straightforward but changing the headlights to Xenon / HID can be expensive to do right.

These guys have good reputation
http://www.headlightretrofits.org.uk/home/4580609108" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Not sure how you get round the legal requirement to have auto levelling and headlight washers.

Rockertom · Post by **Rockertom** » Sun Jan 03, 2016 8:45 am

Cheers bob, ill consider getting halogen white replacement bulbs. H7 size?

Any other advice out there on high mileage scirocco purchases?

Should i insist the air con is serviced also? - apparently this should be done every 2-4 years?

chelspeed · Post by **chelspeed** » Sun Jan 03, 2016 10:22 am

Rockertom wrote:H7's are good apparently.
Should i insist the air con is serviced also? - apparently this should be done every 2-4 years?

H7 is the bulb fitting not a bulb type. So for your age car the bulbs needed might be H7 for dip, main or both. You then need to go and find an H7 bulb to fit of which there are many to choose from.

If the air con is working (definitely check) and the car doesn't smell then I think the 2 year service is a con. They probably won't regas it just disinfect the pipework which if it doesn't niff isn't any benefit. If it needs a regas then there's a leak so you need to fix the leak first which they won't do in a service.

Cuprabob · Post by **Cuprabob** » Sun Jan 03, 2016 11:28 am

I agree with thr above regarding the air con service. It's just a revenue generator for the dealership.

If the car is DSG, the gearbox oil and filter need to be changed at least every 40K miles.

Rockertom · Post by **Rockertom** » Sun Jan 03, 2016 12:31 pm

Cheers for the advice! It's a manual.
I might go for it on Monday then if everything is working and it drives well!

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skyblues11 · Post by **skyblues11** » Fri Jan 08, 2016 1:52 am

also check out any recalls relating to that model. No oil ? how peculiar. perhaps some work was done to the engine block.

flashash · Post by **flashash** » Fri Jan 08, 2016 6:32 am

When was last service. Where has the oil gone since the last service??? Questions to think about

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CleanDiesel · Post by **CleanDiesel** » Fri Jan 08, 2016 11:04 am

If it's burning oil, don't touch it. If you go and have a look rev it hard and look for blue smoke coming out the exhaust.

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