Going to look at an 06 w/ 150k Miles. What issues should I look for?

[mydecember1985]

I'm part of the buyback. Pano sunroof is leaking for the 5th or 6th time, so I'm taking the buyback just to get out of the car. A cheap older car would leave me with some significant spare change.

Looking at an 06 w/ just over 150k on the clock. Looks VERY clean. Garage kept.

Obviously, I'll have it inspected at a mechanic, but what issues should I look for in the car?

Thanks for any help.

 

[mack42b]

Is it a 5 speed or DSG?

As far as the engine goes:

Check camshaft for worn lobes if it hasn't been changed already

Find out if the timing belt/water pump was replaced and if possible what parts were used.

It wouldn't hurt to make sure the turbo and its actuator are functioning properly with no leaks.

Check the EGR cooler for exhaust leaks around the diverter valve shaft.

 

[Scobi-wan]

I'm part of the buyback. Pano sunroof is leaking for the 5th or 6th time, so I'm taking the buyback just to get out of the car. A cheap older car would leave me with some significant spare change.
Looking at an 06 w/ just over 150k on the clock. Looks VERY clean. Garage kept.
Obviously, I'll have it inspected at a mechanic, but what issues should I look for in the car?
Thanks for any help.

I bought an 06 back in November , had 263,000 miles on it. The guy had replaced the cam and upgraded the clutch to a single mass flywheel.


Just look into what type of oil he/she has used through the life of the car(5w-40 is the only oil these engines should be using to get the most life out of the cam.
If it's 5 speed listen for the DMF making noise below the car, if it's automatic the same thing just make sure the dsg fluid has been changed. Obv drive the car make sure the power is all there and no egr nor turbo Actuator issues. They are good cars but some have a few kinks to work out (but not always). Inspect the cam if your able to (a must if your mechanically inclined) that's all I can think of ATM .

 

[Carlos_TJ]

Other known problems of the good ol '06

- leaking EGR cooler
Yields diminishing power, black soot between the engine and firewall, additional exhaust noise

- door wiring harness chaffe
Early mk5s had their door harness too short, causing electrical problems.

Personally i would use any of these issues as car price leverage. The MK5 BRM might be the last simple dyi-er TDI in North America, so finding one in good overall condition is a nice find.

 

[mydecember1985]

Thanks for all the info. I'm trying to line up tomorrow to go look at it. Something came up with the owner's work yesterday, so it pushed it into the weekend. Unfortunately, the car's 3 hours away and I work at 5PM tomorrow. So I'd have to be up and out the door at 8 to have a pretty good hour+ with the car/owner. And there goes my Sunday afternoon

 

[mydecember1985]

I bought an 06 back in November , had 263,000 miles on it. The guy had replaced the cam and upgraded the clutch to a single mass flywheel.


Just look into what type of oil he/she has used through the life of the car(5w-40 is the only oil these engines should be using to get the most life out of the cam.
If it's 5 speed listen for the DMF making noise below the car, if it's automatic the same thing just make sure the dsg fluid has been changed. Obv drive the car make sure the power is all there and no egr nor turbo Actuator issues. They are good cars but some have a few kinks to work out (but not always). Inspect the cam if your able to (a must if your mechanically inclined) that's all I can think of ATM .

What'd you end up getting the car for? (If you don't mind sharing)

 

[MrBigTruck]

I bought an '06 in June with roughly 250,000 miles on it for $2000. It's a 5 speed with a new SMF clutch in it. The cam hasn't been replaced and has a few little odds and ends that need to be fixed over time, but overall it is in good condition. We drove it from eastern Kansas to Colorado and back on a couple tanks of fuel so it's reliable enough that I trust it to go pretty much anywhere.

 

[Scobi-wan]

What'd you end up getting the car for? (If you don't mind sharing)

Too much but this was before diesel gate. I paid $5000 but it Has all the bells and whistles ( heated ""leather"" seats , moonroof , blue tooth CD player, etc) plus upgrades : Colt Cam upgrade , gti 17" wheels , stage 1 tune (really all I need , Single mAss flywheel conversion, egr delete. I think I paid a fair price for all the stuff already completed that are problematic with this specific
Year and model. I've gone on to change Both fuel pumps (in tank and engine mounted) and another clutch due to a hole in the formers fork. It's been going strong ever since

 

[mydecember1985]

ya since all that was done, id call it a good deal. think she's askin 4k but no mods, bone stock(likely), garage kept.

 

[mydecember1985]

Update!!

Went to look at it finally. Just under 7 hours round trip.

Everything looks good. Small miscellaneous stuff. The sound dampening material under the hood is sagging and the seat belt casing is missing. Small stuff I can pick up from a junkyard.
The owner did have the clutch replaced 70k miles back. Bad brake sensor on front passenger wheel. She has no clue when the fuel filter was changed, but it looked really clean compared to the rest, so maybe it's been done. She says last she checked, she was getting about 36-38MPG about 3 months ago before she bought the new Lexus.

I don't necessarily HEAR the loping sound of the worn cam, but I think I feel it in the clutch pedal. It's rev-dependent, so it's definitely not a tire or something. I can see the engine shake about 3/4 inch or so at ~100rpm over idle. After that, it smooths.
When getting on it a bit, I do feel a loping vibration in the car. If I rest my foot very gently on the clutch, I can feel it much stronger. There's definitely a bad cam, injector, or unbalanced flywheel.

Drives OK. Drove about 13 miles or so at highway speeds, and 2-3 miles of stop and go.

Also no clue on timing belt, tensioner, or water pump. She's owned it for about 80k miles, so it's likely due for them assuming the last owner MAY have done them at 100k.

I'm trying to source parts and how-tos on these components now, but if anyone could point me in the right direction or ballpark what these issues may cost, I'd appreciate it.
Thx

 

[LuvDaDiesel]

check ID parts for a timing belt kit. It will have everything you need. I don't remember but I think the cam for mine was around $700 and if I remember correctly a TB kit can be had for $300 or less.