My Nemesis Revisited… Corrado VR6
Discussion
I’m a long term VW fanatic, I’ve liked them since I was at school, met my wife through them, owned hundreds over the years but it was March 2003 when I bought my first, A Midnight Blue Corrado VR6 L875OAC. What should have been a highlight at 21 buying my first “proper” car turned out to be a nightmare.
It was a combination of a bad example, buying in the dark, inexperience of private buying and a lack of knowledge. Frankly the car was a dog, anything that could go wrong did, head gasket, clutch, radiator, exhaust, crap bodywork, numerous door handles etc. I moved it on in some 7 or 8 months later for a Golf VR6 which by comparison was faultless.
Fast forward to last week, I was on a call with a friend about something completely irrelevant we got onto the subject of his Corrados, he is restoring his G60 to sell and mentioned he was parting company with the VR6 he has used as a daily for 13 years.
This piped my interest, after the first disaster with a Corrado I’ve never had another, infact I had an inbuilt hatred of them after that experience. Literally my motoring Nemesis.
What I have always said though is they look great in two colours, Satin Silver and Tornado Red.
Mrs MRT however owned one when we met in 2003, a nugget yellow 16v, she still has a fond love of them. This was her washing it with her dad not long after buying it when she lived in Orkney.
On a side note her dad owns a 25k mile from new Golf VR6 that is in timewarp condition, he’s had it since it was 3 months old.
When I called her last week at work to tell her the news she nearly burst out crying, literally tickled pink.
On the plus side I’ve known this one for years, it’s been used daily and it’s in my favourite colour. Red.
A deal was struck I paid £500 more than he was asking and even then it was peanuts for one of these.
It’s far from perfect, it’s an old car that’s been used but it’s by no means past it.
It needs a respray, it’s faded, has rusty bits and looks tired.
On the plus side It does however have Aircon (which doesn’t work) black leather, BBS RXs and it’s on sensible miles at 145k with a huge folder of reciepts, history, and a fresh MOT.
These are pics I was sent last week from my mate after he had just given it a quick wash, it looks ok but it’s wet so that’s masked the fading.
This pic was taken last night when I got home, initial impressions are it feels tiny, but it drives very very well.
Mrs MRT took it for a run also and commented on the size, but within a mile she was at home and felt like she had gone back in time 20 years. She loves it.
The plan is to get the bodywork sorted initially and take it from there, we are going to see the chap about that on Saturday. The horrid debadged grille is being replaced by a standard one and it’s a case of taking it as it comes and hope this Corrado purchase in the dark isn’t the disaster my last one was.
It was a combination of a bad example, buying in the dark, inexperience of private buying and a lack of knowledge. Frankly the car was a dog, anything that could go wrong did, head gasket, clutch, radiator, exhaust, crap bodywork, numerous door handles etc. I moved it on in some 7 or 8 months later for a Golf VR6 which by comparison was faultless.
Fast forward to last week, I was on a call with a friend about something completely irrelevant we got onto the subject of his Corrados, he is restoring his G60 to sell and mentioned he was parting company with the VR6 he has used as a daily for 13 years.
This piped my interest, after the first disaster with a Corrado I’ve never had another, infact I had an inbuilt hatred of them after that experience. Literally my motoring Nemesis.
What I have always said though is they look great in two colours, Satin Silver and Tornado Red.
Mrs MRT however owned one when we met in 2003, a nugget yellow 16v, she still has a fond love of them. This was her washing it with her dad not long after buying it when she lived in Orkney.
On a side note her dad owns a 25k mile from new Golf VR6 that is in timewarp condition, he’s had it since it was 3 months old.
When I called her last week at work to tell her the news she nearly burst out crying, literally tickled pink.
On the plus side I’ve known this one for years, it’s been used daily and it’s in my favourite colour. Red.
A deal was struck I paid £500 more than he was asking and even then it was peanuts for one of these.
It’s far from perfect, it’s an old car that’s been used but it’s by no means past it.
It needs a respray, it’s faded, has rusty bits and looks tired.
On the plus side It does however have Aircon (which doesn’t work) black leather, BBS RXs and it’s on sensible miles at 145k with a huge folder of reciepts, history, and a fresh MOT.
These are pics I was sent last week from my mate after he had just given it a quick wash, it looks ok but it’s wet so that’s masked the fading.
This pic was taken last night when I got home, initial impressions are it feels tiny, but it drives very very well.
Mrs MRT took it for a run also and commented on the size, but within a mile she was at home and felt like she had gone back in time 20 years. She loves it.
The plan is to get the bodywork sorted initially and take it from there, we are going to see the chap about that on Saturday. The horrid debadged grille is being replaced by a standard one and it’s a case of taking it as it comes and hope this Corrado purchase in the dark isn’t the disaster my last one was.
I can empathise hugely with your situation. I was heavily into the VW scene back when GTI International was at the TRL.
I bought a green G60 Corrado having sold my Mk2 Golf GTI to a friend. Long story short it turned out to have been in a big accident 5 years before and off the road for most of that since and the mileage was completely fabricated. I went to VW to buy service parts and on their print out it indicated it had done over 100k 5 years before.
I took it back and got my money back after some legal threats were made, sadly I had spent some money on it, which I never got back; it could have been worse.
Love the cars, would have another, but have a toy currently.
I wish you all the best with this one and Tornado Red is my favourite, my MK2 was that colour. I found MER was excellent in getting rid of the faded sections when I bought mine.
I bought a green G60 Corrado having sold my Mk2 Golf GTI to a friend. Long story short it turned out to have been in a big accident 5 years before and off the road for most of that since and the mileage was completely fabricated. I went to VW to buy service parts and on their print out it indicated it had done over 100k 5 years before.
I took it back and got my money back after some legal threats were made, sadly I had spent some money on it, which I never got back; it could have been worse.
Love the cars, would have another, but have a toy currently.
I wish you all the best with this one and Tornado Red is my favourite, my MK2 was that colour. I found MER was excellent in getting rid of the faded sections when I bought mine.
I owned a Corrado VR6 for 14 years, and sold it around 2008. I too attended GTi International at TRL. Feels like a lifetime ago now.
Aircon was never an option on the Corrado VR6. I know some people managed to squeeze an aftermarket Diavia unit into the engine bay but they never worked properly and were never up to the job. I'd remove it rather than trying to get it to work, personally.
The cars are all getting very long in the tooth now, but there are people who still have knowledge on them. The guys at The Phirm in Camberley, Surrey, are very knowledgable (especially Tim and Paul, who are still there and who used to look after my Corrado) so might be worth contacting them if you have any specific needs.
Parts costs vary enormously. Anything that is from the Golf and Passat donors is relatively cheap, but anything that is unique to the Corrado will be expensive (especially the body parts that were made by Karmann)
Good luck!
edit: BTW, that central rear cupholder is non-standard. I certainly don't remember one being there anyway.
Aircon was never an option on the Corrado VR6. I know some people managed to squeeze an aftermarket Diavia unit into the engine bay but they never worked properly and were never up to the job. I'd remove it rather than trying to get it to work, personally.
The cars are all getting very long in the tooth now, but there are people who still have knowledge on them. The guys at The Phirm in Camberley, Surrey, are very knowledgable (especially Tim and Paul, who are still there and who used to look after my Corrado) so might be worth contacting them if you have any specific needs.
Parts costs vary enormously. Anything that is from the Golf and Passat donors is relatively cheap, but anything that is unique to the Corrado will be expensive (especially the body parts that were made by Karmann)
Good luck!
edit: BTW, that central rear cupholder is non-standard. I certainly don't remember one being there anyway.
Edited by Clockwork Cupcake on Friday 9th February 10:22
Thank you for the responses, all of it very favourable and some of them with first hand experiences of these cars. It’s great to read.
With regards to the Aircon, yes it’s that Diavia system I believe, I have not looked into it too much and if it’s going to be obtrusive or just refuse to work it will be removed at some point.
Good spot on the cup holder, when I was looking at the pics originally it did look out of place and I’m sure that it’s situated where an ashtray should be?
If that’s the case the car needs front and rear ashtrays as the front one is missing, I’m no expert but trying to find either of those in good as new condition won’t be easy.
Tomorrow we are heading to the painters, a friend of mine has a pair of wings that will likely be purchased as these are past it. Hopefully the bodywork repairs are not too brutal on the pocket.
With regards to the Aircon, yes it’s that Diavia system I believe, I have not looked into it too much and if it’s going to be obtrusive or just refuse to work it will be removed at some point.
Good spot on the cup holder, when I was looking at the pics originally it did look out of place and I’m sure that it’s situated where an ashtray should be?
If that’s the case the car needs front and rear ashtrays as the front one is missing, I’m no expert but trying to find either of those in good as new condition won’t be easy.
Tomorrow we are heading to the painters, a friend of mine has a pair of wings that will likely be purchased as these are past it. Hopefully the bodywork repairs are not too brutal on the pocket.
Very nice - I've always liked these!
I did consider buying one once but, at the time, my wife's finance job included the organisation of her company's fleet of company cars. Three people in the company had Corrados and she vetoed the purchase as soon as I mooted the idea with the comment "I've seen how often they need fixing and how much it costs"!
I did consider buying one once but, at the time, my wife's finance job included the organisation of her company's fleet of company cars. Three people in the company had Corrados and she vetoed the purchase as soon as I mooted the idea with the comment "I've seen how often they need fixing and how much it costs"!
martin mrt said:
Good spot on the cup holder, when I was looking at the pics originally it did look out of place and I’m sure that it’s situated where an ashtray should be?
If that’s the case the car needs front and rear ashtrays as the front one is missing, I’m no expert but trying to find either of those in good as new condition won’t be easy.
I don't actually remember where the front ash tray was. But, yes, you are right now I come to think of it - there was a rear ash tray where that cup holder is. If that’s the case the car needs front and rear ashtrays as the front one is missing, I’m no expert but trying to find either of those in good as new condition won’t be easy.
In the front cubby under the heater controls in the centre console, I had a rather expensive Fischer C-box cassette holder. I think I may still have it in a box somewhere. You are welcome to have it if I can find it, as it's quite a nice little period piece.
Clockwork Cupcake said:
I owned a Corrado VR6 for 14 years, and sold it around 2008. I too attended GTi International at TRL. Feels like a lifetime ago now.
Aircon was never an option on the Corrado VR6. I know some people managed to squeeze an aftermarket Diavia unit into the engine bay but they never worked properly and were never up to the job. I'd remove it rather than trying to get it to work, personally.
The cars are all getting very long in the tooth now, but there are people who still have knowledge on them. The guys at The Phirm in Camberley, Surrey, are very knowledgable (especially Tim and Paul, who are still there and who used to look after my Corrado) so might be worth contacting them if you have any specific needs.
Parts costs vary enormously. Anything that is from the Golf and Passat donors is relatively cheap, but anything that is unique to the Corrado will be expensive (especially the body parts that were made by Karmann)
Good luck!
edit: BTW, that central rear cupholder is non-standard. I certainly don't remember one being there anyway.
Good with Audi too as I used to take my RS3 and 4 there for non warranty work.Aircon was never an option on the Corrado VR6. I know some people managed to squeeze an aftermarket Diavia unit into the engine bay but they never worked properly and were never up to the job. I'd remove it rather than trying to get it to work, personally.
The cars are all getting very long in the tooth now, but there are people who still have knowledge on them. The guys at The Phirm in Camberley, Surrey, are very knowledgable (especially Tim and Paul, who are still there and who used to look after my Corrado) so might be worth contacting them if you have any specific needs.
Parts costs vary enormously. Anything that is from the Golf and Passat donors is relatively cheap, but anything that is unique to the Corrado will be expensive (especially the body parts that were made by Karmann)
Good luck!
edit: BTW, that central rear cupholder is non-standard. I certainly don't remember one being there anyway.
Edited by Clockwork Cupcake on Friday 9th February 10:22
TX.
A small update, it’s behaved except a fuse blew for the spoiler/immobiliser randomly. I’ll need to keep an eye on that.
Anyway, steve the previous owner came up trumps finding the original grille and tail lights. The latter have been tinted at one point and are not in great condition.
I took no time in changing that out. Much better IMO
Anyway, despite the car looking “OK” in the pics the reality is it’s nearly 30 years old, has been used daily so its bodywork is tired. The paint was dead, and I felt like a criminal running it as it was.
On Sunday I took a few hours out and gave it a polish, I wasn’t too fussy as the car is due for a full paint, new wings, door, etc and anything else it needs before an underside resto.
Purely to make it more appealing to my eye really
A couple of poor 50/50s
After, far from perfect but it shines a bit
I’m quite pleased at how it’s turned out in all honesty. I seen a full leather interior for sale this week in poor condition for a few hundred less than I paid for my car so I’m happy with what I have.
On a slightly different topic, the guy I bought this from had a Mk1 GTI that was his daily before this Corrado came along.
I remember viewing it with him in 2004 in a barn, surreal really as it was 21 years old, all original with 2 owners from new and a “petrol book” as the guy put it. Basically everything in his ownership was documented in this notebook, fuel, MPG, bulbs, parts, tyres everything. Nuts but cool.
Like the Corrado, life,work, kids and just general day to day life got in the way with the Mk1, it sat for 10+ years and after convincing him it wasn’t worth £500 I paid a good bit more than that and took it away yesterday as a non runner
All the original parts are in the car, lights, grille, wheels etc
Had I been told a fortnight ago I’d have a Corrado VR6 and a Mk1 Golf GTI I’d have laughed, but here we are.
The Mk1 needs recommissioned, some paint and some bits returned to original, but I’ll get to that.
As I get older I’m taking on more, this isn’t how life should bec
Anyway, steve the previous owner came up trumps finding the original grille and tail lights. The latter have been tinted at one point and are not in great condition.
I took no time in changing that out. Much better IMO
Anyway, despite the car looking “OK” in the pics the reality is it’s nearly 30 years old, has been used daily so its bodywork is tired. The paint was dead, and I felt like a criminal running it as it was.
On Sunday I took a few hours out and gave it a polish, I wasn’t too fussy as the car is due for a full paint, new wings, door, etc and anything else it needs before an underside resto.
Purely to make it more appealing to my eye really
A couple of poor 50/50s
After, far from perfect but it shines a bit
I’m quite pleased at how it’s turned out in all honesty. I seen a full leather interior for sale this week in poor condition for a few hundred less than I paid for my car so I’m happy with what I have.
On a slightly different topic, the guy I bought this from had a Mk1 GTI that was his daily before this Corrado came along.
I remember viewing it with him in 2004 in a barn, surreal really as it was 21 years old, all original with 2 owners from new and a “petrol book” as the guy put it. Basically everything in his ownership was documented in this notebook, fuel, MPG, bulbs, parts, tyres everything. Nuts but cool.
Like the Corrado, life,work, kids and just general day to day life got in the way with the Mk1, it sat for 10+ years and after convincing him it wasn’t worth £500 I paid a good bit more than that and took it away yesterday as a non runner
All the original parts are in the car, lights, grille, wheels etc
Had I been told a fortnight ago I’d have a Corrado VR6 and a Mk1 Golf GTI I’d have laughed, but here we are.
The Mk1 needs recommissioned, some paint and some bits returned to original, but I’ll get to that.
As I get older I’m taking on more, this isn’t how life should bec
Edited by martin mrt on Tuesday 20th February 22:21
Edited by martin mrt on Tuesday 20th February 22:23
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