Hi anyone reading this. I'm completely new to this club and could do with some advice. I have been driving for just over a year now and I am currently on my third Polo. I would like to point out at this point I have so little knowledge of mechanics and car talk. I purely love Polo's for their character and simplicity. Here's my short story so far, just to introduce my situation...

 

The first car I bought was a really nice, standard 6n. Loved this car and to this day I still have it. Nothing special but drives like a dream. However, after a year of driving I fancied an upgrade.

 

Had my eyes on a 9n. Made sense, upgrading to something newer! Straight from the go I had problems with the car and after 2 weeks driving I had to hold my hands up and admit, I'd bought a shitter. My heart sank as I'd lost nearly £600 on it and from that point I felt let down by Polo's.

 

Trying to recalibrate my love for the model, I looked at older 90's Polo's. Instantly fell in love with the Mk2f. The shape of the coupe looked ace. About 4 months ago I started looking for them, having taken the loss on the 9n. I half-looked at a few on the internet but could never find one local.

 

Until about a week ago I had almost forgotten the chase for a Mk2f, but the chance came up when a local guy was selling one for £300. Turned out he did some work for a guy and couldn't afford it in the end and gave him the car.

 

The guy selling it had no care for what he had and a family member who was a mechanic offered to work on it for me if I was to take it. I took a chance and took it off him knowing the Speedline alloys were worth at least half the £300. After 3 weeks in the garage the car was roadworthy. Nearly £400 later and a new set of lowered springs added I was ready.

 

I took it for my first real drive last night and instantly had to adapt to the ride height and lack of power steering (which I was used to having learnt to drive in a classic mini). I loved the car, the wheels rubbed on the arches which put me off a bit, but I felt great.

 

I prepared to drive to work the following morning which is a 20 minute drive. Nervous about how things would go, I took my time. The pot holes weren't too bad! I felt every millimetre of the road but never was concerned about my car as everything was running smooth. A few tense scrapes on the arches with the tire where all I had on the return journey at first but as I went downhill I heard a tinny, grinding sound as the van behind me flashed his lights. I knew what had happened, but didn't honestly expect it to happen after only 2 hours driving in it! I knew driving it as a daily wouldn't be easy but with a bit of TLC and changes to smaller alloys and such I didn't think it would be too straining.

 

The exhaust support hook had completely broken away leaving the exhaust dragging. I pulled in and took a look, looked like I would be going back to the garage.

 

What I was intending to get from this post was hopefully some sort of cheering up I suppose! All my cars bar the trusty 6n have failed on me and I never seem to get far enough into my Polo's to truly feel proud and to my requirements.

 

should I go back to a newer model such as a different 6n or maybe a 6n2? Maybe I could get a more standard coupe or breadvan? Or keep with what I've got?!?!

 

I've attached some photo's before my ownership (the car has not changed at all since). I'm so indecisive on what to do. I could really just do with some advice, opinions or whatever anyone has to say.

 

Like I said though, I'm no mechanic, Polo expert or millionaire so if you could keep it simple that would be appreciated.

 

Thanks everyone, appreciate then help!

Edited 3 June, 201610 yr by Trumpeeh
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Twenty miles and that's all that fell off!

 

Did you a test drive before you bought it (and the other 3 polos)?

There's usually a reason someone is selling or trading, it could be the don't like the colour any more, but take your mechanical mate along next time you buy.

 

Exhaust hanger is an easy repair. VW did a repair plate

http://www.clubpolo.co.uk/topic/347216-exhaust-hanger-repair-panel/

and similar shape can easily be formed and attached eg welded on.

 

Using good quality rubber rings also helps.  There should be a small rubber button in centre of that plate that helps stop exhaust bouncing upwards, but not vital.

My uncle used to say "there's nothing wrong with that car that money won't fix" and you have someone who will do work on it for nothing, at least for a while.

 

Sounds like you need thinner wheels or spacers to stop the arch rub. If you can get £300 for the wheels and tyres and just use standard but painted wheels you have money to fund repairs and maintenance.

 

Hahah yeah, to be honest, of all the things that could have gone wrong I didn't expect that.

 

Thanks for your reply too, I will own up and say I didn't test drive the 9n and I admit that it was the most stupid thing to do. I rush bought it and paid the consequences.

 

My mechanic drove the Mk2f and openly said 'look it needs some work but it runs fine and will probably need 'X' amount of work to it' (which as accurate). The funny thing is, the steel ring/clips that were holding on the exhaust at the rear looked so, so worn away. I don't understand how it wasn't picked up before leaving the garage! The rubber looks fairly strong and there were 2 holding it on, possibly the originals? My mechanic is sorting that out today and welding a new hook on.

 

As for the wheels, I believe it's the tire size on the drivers' rear that's the problem. I'm going to either change to a standard set of 13's or get a set of BBS or ATS at the same size (eventually).

 

I'm also going to look into once selling my black 6n, potentially buying adjustable coilovers instead of springs, I believe they're currently 80/60 which is fine on standard roads but driving on the road I drive to work on isn't always too fun. I enjoy driving the car and little bits like the wind up windows for me are so much easier than the electric options which constantly burn out and need replacing. I'm just hoping I don't fall out of love with it and end up with more car worries.

 

The idiot before me actually drilled holes in everything interior wise. Looks like he's wired up for a sub and stuff. Drilled through parts of the dashboard and removed bits without putting them back properly, but I have bought replacements and will be covering up his bodged work. It's only done 60k and the engine feels great. More so the ride and interior that may end up beating me.

 

I just don't want to get too involved in the car before being disappointed I guess. I'm always now looking at cleaner Mk2f's driving around or 6n2's and wondering if I made the right choice. My Dad did warn me before purchasing about it being a 25 year old car, and with me being a naive youngster typically ignored his advice. Perhaps I am paying the consequences for not knowing what I really want, or possibly just not sticking with what I buy for long enough.

 

We'll see I guess!

60k in 25 years. Engine should last at least another 50 years at that rate if you keep servicing it.

 

80/60 is extreme for our crap roads and speed bumps, you'll find wheel bearings suffering as well as other underfloor scrapes. With that kind of lowerage some ARB blocks to increase caster will do wonders for handling.  I find 60/40 drop is okay (with Arb adjusted ) but can be choppy ride with budget cheap shocks and springs.

I'd agree, 80/60 is probably a bit too much.

 

I'm going to sort out the tire rub first as I am worried about a burst since the tire is slowly being peeled away! Going to go for a set of 13 inch ATS Classics or something similar. If that doesn't sort out the most of it I'll have to investigate a little more.

 

Next step would be to potentially get a set of DECENT 60/40's and take it from there.

 

If I remove these niggly issues, hopefully I'll be sorted. I've actually enjoyed some of the looks I've got from folk around town. Living in the South West, driving through a surf town and being surrounded by Campers and T4's is a great feeling. I just hope I can deal with everything on a daily basis. 

 

Thanks for your help anyway bud. As I mentioned, I'm an ameteur to the scene and mechanically I have nothing, so every little bit help! Cheers :)