I've used a 1996 Polo 1.9 diesel for over a year just doing runs back and forth to work. Not long after I bought it (for only a few hundred quid), I spent hundreds replacing the springs,dampers, exhaust inc the cat, brakes and calipers and had the windscreen replaced. Not long after I then had the only expense I wasn't prepared for - the clutch and flywheel had to be replaced.

Just come to get MOT done and it has failed - rear wheel bearing and it needs a some welding in the sills. The garage is suggesting putting a complete sheet right along the sills otherwise it will probably need more next year! I've spent shed loads on the car and am now wondering whether it is worth chucking more at it or consider breaking it up. Although its done 110,000 miles, apparantly the engine is still as sweet as a nut and most of the rest of the car is in really good nick. But the dreaded rust has really started on the underneath. The car spent most of its years by the seaside!

The garage hasn't priced the job up yet by has anyone any ideas how much this welding and wheel bearing should cost? Is it really worth it?? Any ideas???

its in the wrong section but personally i would think what you use it for then say ahh what the heck and scrap it...

oh and p.s. when you scrap it can i have the rocker cover pppllleeeaaassseee

its in the wrong section but personally i would think what you use it for then say ahh what the heck and scrap it...

oh and p.s. when you scrap it can i have the rocker cover pppllleeeaaassseee

I'll keep you posted!

thanks matey, i kinda hope oit goes well for you and not me lol

£70 for wheel bearings to be replaced on both sides of the rear.

i think i changed the rear bearing myself with ones from vag for about £30

I'd say repair it. 110k for these engines is nothing really. I'd suggest maybe doing the wheel bearing yourself and get the garage to do the welding. It may also be worth checking it with another garage to check they are not pulling your leg.

PS. As people have already put dibs on some parts I'm after a drivers side window motor

Edited 9 August, 200719 yr by tomadomeit

yer why dont you have a fix it up day where everyone on here comes round and helps you with the welding and bearings also a chance to meet a few new people? and

also on the parts list can i have the dipstick please lol

Thanks guys. The garage still hasn't come back with a quote but they have done most of the work before on the car and are normally very good. I don't think they would fleece me. I may know more today when I see what the quote is. They have told me that they may need to remove all the seats & carpets to do the welding. I can see the logic in doing this but is it really necessary? May be an area I can cut the costs by doing this myself.

yeh you should pull the carpet and any flamable trim back on that side before welding for "good practice" but, if its the outer sill, i dont see why you would need to, the inside wont get anywhere near hot enough to set fire to anything

its just abit more labour and abit more money...

take the seats and carpet out yourself before you take it in?

To be able to realyl answer your question, we'd need to know just how bad the rust is setting in. OK so they replace the sill now but if other areas are getting rusty it may just keep failing year after year on different bits of welding required. In that case I'd scrap it.

If the rest of the underside looks OK then get them to repair the sill (unless it turns out to be too expensive) and get them to waxoil the underside of the car to help stop more rust happening.

take the seats and carpet out yourself before you take it in?

To be able to realyl answer your question, we'd need to know just how bad the rust is setting in. OK so they replace the sill now but if other areas are getting rusty it may just keep failing year after year on different bits of welding required. In that case I'd scrap it.

If the rest of the underside looks OK then get them to repair the sill (unless it turns out to be too expensive) and get them to waxoil the underside of the car to help stop more rust happening.

Having seen the extent of the rust, it doesn't look pretty. The garage are suggesting welding both sills from front to back to sort this out for long period, although one side would not be an MOT failure at the moment. However there is a lot of rust underneath (no doubt caused by the sea air) and they cannot say how long it will be before something else is going to need doing. They have quoted me £430 for doing the welding, replacing the rear bearings and an MOT. I could reduce this a bit by taking out the interior myself, but I am going to sit on this for a few days before making a decision. It has got to the stage where I am reluctant to throw even more money on it - I may decide to sell it as "spares or repair" - after all, it has got a stack of new (and expensive!) parts on it. Someone may decide they want to do it up or use most of the good parts/panels. Will keep you posted - it may find its way on the For Sale board.

well I'm still intrested in alot of parts lol

well be careful witht weding as alot of garages will just weld over the original sills and that is completely pointless as it will need doing again fairly quickly... but if ita decent garage and you trust them go for it matey

Best of luck with it anway

isopon and body shutz , thats how my transit has lived a few years longer..