Magnet

I would type out the detail on one sheet, so that it can be e-mailed to interested parties. Could also list with Pistonheads, and/or Car & Classic ( although the car would generally be a bit young). Have you thought about EBay - always a volume audience. Regards, Gareth.

Again Colin, just do a forum search and you will come up with numerous similar post requests. I always use VAG’s own Quantum brand, available from reputable eBay sellers, and Amazon ( I think). Grade? Consult handbook. Regards, Gareth. p.s. Filters? Mann or Bosch for me.

It’s great when vital details are not mentioned until the 11th hour! Such detail would save contributor’s coming up with irrelevant - but what they think are meaningful - comments. There we are then? Regards, Gareth.

Simples! Gregg, Just send Ian a PM. Regards, Gareth.

OK Simon, It could just be me, but I cannot understand why you remain interested in this car, but it isn’t my money - thankfully! This could be an interesting story to follow, so please keep the forum updated as that story unfolds.

Simon, It is evident that you are returning to the forum - latest 4 minutes ago! Can you give us good reason to support your failure to respond to questions or the comments already made? Regards, Gareth.

I’m well versed in the validity of my x3 rule Cliff! It is indeed always worth a couple of coats of thinking about before embarking on any restoration - irrespective of the satisfaction factor or any understandable sentiment.

Have you got this car advertised elsewhere Jay?

Hello Michael, Re. Classic car clubs, just do an on-line search for such regional, all makes, clubs in your area, and take advice there. If I were in your situation, I would be getting the car fully inspected before spending any money or time on it. Yes, I well appreciate the sentimental value, but being realistic it’s probably going to cost you beyond its value to renovate. Based on decades of such experiences, I apply my X 3 rule - it’s going to occupy 3 times its amount of space as when it was in one piece, take you 3 times the amount of time, and 3 times the amount of money you budgeted for. Work on this principle to avoid disappointment. Whatever help you need will be here. Just let us know. Regards, Gareth.

Hello Abigail, I apologise in advance for the contents of this post, but I think it’s worthwhile stating the facts as we now know them, rather than laying all the blame at the door of the original owners. We now know that you have had this diesel car for 2.5 years, covering 45k miles in that time, but having it serviced only once during that mileage. Saying as it is, and by way of an explanation why this engine has gone !Removed! up - this will have been a significant contributor in its demise. Having said earlier that I’m not a fan of VAG’s 18k mile interval servicing, you will understand I certainly wouldn’t have recommended the servicing regime during your ownership. Sorry, this is just my opinion, and seeing it as I see it. I don’t want to make any judgement or criticism, but just to find a pathway of explanation. Others may disagree, and that is fine too. Way forward:- Richard’s suggestion of sourcing an alternative engine and gearbox would seem to be the most cost effective way around the problem. Do the economics stack up of spending a large sum of money on a 7 year old car?? Probably not, but… Finance:- I could be wrong, but I wouldn’t like to put a case forward to support not paying the outstanding payments. If it were mine, I would be seeking advice from your local CAB before contacting the finance company. I genuinely feel sorry for the plight you find yourself in Abigail, and I wish I had some low cost options for you. Please come back to us, and I’m sure everyone on here will attempt to offer you their best advice. Please don’t be alone with the effects of this. Regards, Gareth. p.s. I didn’t write txxts up, I wrote bxxxxts up! Why a banned word?

Really sorry to hear of your plight Abigail. To better colour in the picture, it seems you have covered 45K miles in the car since you bought it (at 75K). How long have you owned it, and what has been your servicing regime? How comprehensive was the car’s service history with the previous owner? We have healthy varying opinions on here and in my opinion, yes, fleet cars can cover high mileages, but that mileage is likely (but certainly not always) to be covered with the car at optimum operating conditions over that higher mileage. My dislike is VAG’s regime of servicing every c18K miles or 18 months - too long intervals - but bear in mind that most privately owned vehicles are on the same servicing schedule! You mention it’s been using oil - how much in what mileage, and how long has it been doing this? Sorry about all the questions, but… Regards, Gareth. Oh, petrol or diesel?

Any response to Thursday’s request for an update Leah? Don’t want to continue asking. Regards, Gareth.

Hello Simon, Can see you have returned to the forum. Any answers to the questions asked, or to the comments made?

There you go then! His loss may gain?? Guessed your car cleaning routine - spray acid over wheels, discs and calipers, before blasting them with a high pressure lance. No wonder your brake components are suffering from premature corrosion issues.

Welcome Simon, Invest £9.99 on an on-line VCheck on the vehicle. Have you ran an MOT history check on this? MOT elapsed Feb 2025 and car sold is being sold as spares or repairs - good luck with that! Has a history of numerous presentations for MOTs with tyres near or at the legal limit, together with suspension isxued, which would indicate its not been in careful hands. Dec. 2022 to Feb 2024, the car covered just 60 miles, so this car has likely sat around for 2 years. Um?? Regards, Gareth.

Thanks Andrew, The fact that the seller of the brake discs cannot spell ‘brake’ correctly, does not instil confidence! Incidentally, where do you get your car cleaned? Regards, Gareth.

Thanks, but didn’t I say so a long time ago!! ?

Thanks for coming back on this Roger. I’m sure this will be of use to future members seeking the same items, Regards, Gareth.

Welcome Roger, Try the LLL Parts website for part no. enquiries. Please let us know how you get on. Regards, Gareth.

Can I respectfully suggest that sufficient comments have already been received against this thread, and we now simply await updates from Leah, before adding a further posts ? Thanks, Gareth.

Apologies for jumping in on this, but from a simplistic viewpoint, if you agree the noise originates from the area of the clutch, then the assembly has to be dismantled for inspection with a minimum of delay. Failure to do this could result in catastrophic failure. The running issue is probably not connected, but please bear in mind that no one on here has access to inspect what you describe. Regards, Gareth. Post overlapped with Cliff’s reply.

What’s the latest news than Leah?

Hello Colin, Most of the regular contributors on here know the latest party line recommendations issued by VAG. Any dealer will give you details - to save us repeating what has been said on here many times over. You will then end up having to make your own decision whether to follow these recommendations, or follow Stevey Y’s advice above. You can see which I prefer by my ‘Liking’ Stevey’s advice. Perhaps you could let us know what you decide Colin. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Antonio, Great news. For clarity, can we revert back to your post of 16th Feb. when you say ‘The battery has been checked and is fine…..’ Who tested it, and how was the check carried out? Regards, Gareth.

New battery coded to car?