VW Corrado VR6
Discussion
I've had this car nearly 5 years. A true love-hate relationship for sure. I bought at a point where it was MOTd and running but needed some love to bring it back but iin its favour it had full service history for 25 years and low owners so I took the leap.
During my ownership it has had a windows out respray and a Stealth Racing (Corrado VR6 gods) mechanical refurbishment to inlcude chains, clutch, top end refurb, 263 cams, cooling system refresh, all new bushes, new bearings, new suspension, exhaust, brakes (288 upgrade). I also sourced the 16inch speedlines from a warehouse in Italy. These wheels were produced on request of Corrado owners back in the early 2000s. It's also had an underbody refresh and re-protection.
The love elements of ownership are driving something different, the engine note, it's simplicity, that porsche like spoiler and it handles really well. The less glamourous elements are sourcing parts, having to pay crazy prices for 30 year old tat as most stuff is obsolete and actually after putting in lots of effort the Corrado is pretty niche and not a lot of people actually like it!
Yesterday I went out and took some pictures, actually as photos to sell it but probably won't such is the rollercoaster of emotions owning and restoring a car but thought I'd start a thread and share as it was nice scienic spot
During my ownership it has had a windows out respray and a Stealth Racing (Corrado VR6 gods) mechanical refurbishment to inlcude chains, clutch, top end refurb, 263 cams, cooling system refresh, all new bushes, new bearings, new suspension, exhaust, brakes (288 upgrade). I also sourced the 16inch speedlines from a warehouse in Italy. These wheels were produced on request of Corrado owners back in the early 2000s. It's also had an underbody refresh and re-protection.
The love elements of ownership are driving something different, the engine note, it's simplicity, that porsche like spoiler and it handles really well. The less glamourous elements are sourcing parts, having to pay crazy prices for 30 year old tat as most stuff is obsolete and actually after putting in lots of effort the Corrado is pretty niche and not a lot of people actually like it!
Yesterday I went out and took some pictures, actually as photos to sell it but probably won't such is the rollercoaster of emotions owning and restoring a car but thought I'd start a thread and share as it was nice scienic spot
Niche? That car is PH bullseye.
While I had 200SX's my mate had a 16V and then a VR6. The latter was by far my preferred one due the noise and the power delivery. Really nice place to sit, well screwed together - all round much better than the Golf equivalent of the time.
IIRC they were actually built by Karmann and had a different rear axle to the Golf?
Anyway, he sold the VR6 on to mate in 1997 or so and he still had it the last time I heard in 2017.
While I had 200SX's my mate had a 16V and then a VR6. The latter was by far my preferred one due the noise and the power delivery. Really nice place to sit, well screwed together - all round much better than the Golf equivalent of the time.
IIRC they were actually built by Karmann and had a different rear axle to the Golf?
Anyway, he sold the VR6 on to mate in 1997 or so and he still had it the last time I heard in 2017.
Thanks chaps That has picked me up as have hit a low spot with it. I fancy a mk4 R32 at the moment but perhaps will sell something else. I am restoring a mk2 16v 3 door in oak green and also have done the mechanical restore of a mk3 16v 3 door in red with edition recaros from europe but needs paint on the roof and bonnet due to lacquer peel (body kit was removed and rust cut out). The golfs are far easier to restore and get parts.
Yeah they were built by Karmann, handbuilt with some robotics. Some nice touches such as each Corrado has it's paint code handwritten on the transmission tunnel under gear/central plastics.
The actual components on the Corrado VR6 are all mk3 golf - axle, subframe very similar and only differs at rear mount points. All bushes have the same part numbers too. The mk3 had more "spongey" dampers from factory, less stiff shell and higher centre of gravity. The 4x100 Corrados (G60 / 16 v) are all mk2 golf.
Parts are the real hassle. I have spent countless hours sourcing stuff and lost lots of money on stuff that breaks soon after i.e. I bought a sunroof mech from a breaker and £250 and it broke a week later. My car now runs a mk3 mech and passat b4 glass roof, a more robust and cost effective solution.
I have become a hoarder of parts "just in case" just to make driving it less stressful. Headlights, fogs, indicators, wings are all obsolete and certainly with headlights an MOT fail if they crack.
There are some great people making parts VW won't in the community however - recently a chap remade the sunroof mechs and there is a guy that 3D printed the console gauge fascia so LHD oil/volt gauges can be fitted (I've got those to go in the car but it feels criminal to cut up a LHD gauge).
That has picked me up as have hit a low spot with it. I fancy a mk4 R32 at the moment but perhaps will sell something else. I am restoring a mk2 16v 3 door in oak green and also have done the mechanical restore of a mk3 16v 3 door in red with edition recaros from europe but needs paint on the roof and bonnet due to lacquer peel (body kit was removed and rust cut out). The golfs are far easier to restore and get parts. Yeah they were built by Karmann, handbuilt with some robotics. Some nice touches such as each Corrado has it's paint code handwritten on the transmission tunnel under gear/central plastics.
The actual components on the Corrado VR6 are all mk3 golf - axle, subframe very similar and only differs at rear mount points. All bushes have the same part numbers too. The mk3 had more "spongey" dampers from factory, less stiff shell and higher centre of gravity. The 4x100 Corrados (G60 / 16 v) are all mk2 golf.
Parts are the real hassle. I have spent countless hours sourcing stuff and lost lots of money on stuff that breaks soon after i.e. I bought a sunroof mech from a breaker and £250 and it broke a week later. My car now runs a mk3 mech and passat b4 glass roof, a more robust and cost effective solution.
I have become a hoarder of parts "just in case" just to make driving it less stressful. Headlights, fogs, indicators, wings are all obsolete and certainly with headlights an MOT fail if they crack.
There are some great people making parts VW won't in the community however - recently a chap remade the sunroof mechs and there is a guy that 3D printed the console gauge fascia so LHD oil/volt gauges can be fitted (I've got those to go in the car but it feels criminal to cut up a LHD gauge).
MDMA . said:
Very nice. I had a set of 263 cams in my VR6. Full stainless exhaust, sounded lovely.
Yours looks a clean one. Not many about now. Wouldn’t mind a silver one (at the right price).
Thanks! Yes they certainly made a difference to the midrange and upper end. I remember the car feeling a bit flat before install, but that might have been because it was tired elsewhere - the chains were stretched and the tensioner was battered. Yours looks a clean one. Not many about now. Wouldn’t mind a silver one (at the right price).
I have a miltek non res exhaust on the car. It was mapped for the cams by Vince at Stealth and made 220hp & 212 ib ft of torque. Stock power is 190hb, not sure on the torque.
_Mja_ said:
The actual components on the Corrado VR6 are all mk3 golf - axle, subframe very similar and only differs at rear mount points. All bushes have the same part numbers too. The mk3 had more "spongey" dampers from factory, less stiff shell and higher centre of gravity.
That would explain it. I had a long weekend with a Golf VR6 and, although the soundtrack was fabulous, the handling wasn't a patch on the Corrado.That sound.......I ended up paneling up and down the bit between the western end of the Harrow Road and Paddington. It runs under the A40 Westway and there's a tunnel. Glorious.
Cheers
Next steps I think are:
- Wheel alignment (eagle eyed may see the front wheel camber isn't quite right). I've just fitted new driveshafts as that was the only non new component up front. The car has done 155k, but is triggers broom.
- I think I would like to polish in the inlet manifold
- 90mm splitter to give it a bit more of an aggressive look from the front. The earlier cars had this from factory.
I like to try and keep the car looking broadly as VW intended but have, I hope, tastefully modified it:
16in Speedlines
263 Cams
Bilstein B8 sports shocks
H&R 30mm springs (had eibach prior but H&R are more complient and specific to the VR6).
Miltek exhaust
288 brakes (280 standard)
Vibra Technics front engine mount (controls the lateral movement more so)
R32/Leon Cupra R solid rubber rear wishbone bush (poly too stiff and factory too soft).
In terms of renovation stuff
-the paint, glass out and new windscreen. New metal welded in where needed.
-all bushes replaced with Lemforder rubber oem items
-new hard brakes lines and goodridge flexis
-caliper refurbished
-head and componenets refurbished, new head gasket
-all cooling components renewed
-new fuel pump (VDO, original spec)
-front and rear wheel bearings, driveshaftt, balls joints, inner and outer track rods and ARB bushes
Next steps I think are:
- Wheel alignment (eagle eyed may see the front wheel camber isn't quite right). I've just fitted new driveshafts as that was the only non new component up front. The car has done 155k, but is triggers broom.
- I think I would like to polish in the inlet manifold
- 90mm splitter to give it a bit more of an aggressive look from the front. The earlier cars had this from factory.
I like to try and keep the car looking broadly as VW intended but have, I hope, tastefully modified it:
16in Speedlines
263 Cams
Bilstein B8 sports shocks
H&R 30mm springs (had eibach prior but H&R are more complient and specific to the VR6).
Miltek exhaust
288 brakes (280 standard)
Vibra Technics front engine mount (controls the lateral movement more so)
R32/Leon Cupra R solid rubber rear wishbone bush (poly too stiff and factory too soft).
In terms of renovation stuff
-the paint, glass out and new windscreen. New metal welded in where needed.
-all bushes replaced with Lemforder rubber oem items
-new hard brakes lines and goodridge flexis
-caliper refurbished
-head and componenets refurbished, new head gasket
-all cooling components renewed
-new fuel pump (VDO, original spec)
-front and rear wheel bearings, driveshaftt, balls joints, inner and outer track rods and ARB bushes
ChocolateFrog said:
My gut feeling is that these are still yet to be fully appreciated.
Definitely a keeper if you have the space and don't need the cash.
By coincidence I'm just watching the CarSOS episode with the Corrado.
That would be nice, it is soul destroying spending out and being upside down on the car. Perhaps they need 5-8 years to mature. There are still, for a rare car, quite a lot of Corrados about. The classified is showing many for sale but who knows if they have had extensive work or whether it is yet to come. Cost of living crisis and post covid project is probably fuelling the numbers on the market. Definitely a keeper if you have the space and don't need the cash.
By coincidence I'm just watching the CarSOS episode with the Corrado.
I was thinking a mk4 r32 might be a nice alternative to this and easier to get parts for as needed. Perhaps I'll finish off my mk3 16v and save a bit of money and put that towards an r32 instead. The mk3 should do alright with investor type buyers as it is low miles - 78k and will be renovated. It's very similar to my mk2 16v but not as good in someways but easier to live with in other ways. I only have indoor space for 3, tandem sadly but can't complain!
I don't like it.....I love it!
Looks so very tidy in those photos, especially the 16" Speedlines which just look right in the arches while maintaining the correct profile/design of the 15" originals. Nice Stealth upgrades too!
I do know what you mean about the love hate relationship with them though. Sourcing parts especially - I'm waiting for the body shop to finish mine so I can go and put a second hand sunroof mechanism in - I'm not full of confidence....
As to the Mk4 R32s, I have a soft spot for them, the look and sound well, but in design terms, I think the Corrado is a much prettier car. I also think that they rust less and suffer fewer electrical problems (by virtue of having fewer electrics mainly).
Keep the updates coming please!
Looks so very tidy in those photos, especially the 16" Speedlines which just look right in the arches while maintaining the correct profile/design of the 15" originals. Nice Stealth upgrades too!
I do know what you mean about the love hate relationship with them though. Sourcing parts especially - I'm waiting for the body shop to finish mine so I can go and put a second hand sunroof mechanism in - I'm not full of confidence....
As to the Mk4 R32s, I have a soft spot for them, the look and sound well, but in design terms, I think the Corrado is a much prettier car. I also think that they rust less and suffer fewer electrical problems (by virtue of having fewer electrics mainly).
Keep the updates coming please!
Just thought I would update with some pics of the "journey" from purchase to today
This was taken when I got it home on the first day
I remembered it had a slightly odd idle - vibration in the cabin - saw all the doom and gloom about timing chains and after replacing every sensor with Bosch or similar I decided to book in with Stealth....
.. good job really as the tensioner was battered!
Video on the rollers at stealth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_r3Mx1i2-E
The following year (2020) I decided I wanted it repainted. The car had suffered a bad blow over and there were masking lines around all the rubbers.
The wings did come off for paint also, just didn't get a picture
Bought the speedlines and put it back together
Although it had a nice cloth interior my friend was breaking a Corrado with leather so I bought that off of him to get the car where I wanted. I would love Recaros but far too pricey - c£3k -4k these days
This was taken when I got it home on the first day
I remembered it had a slightly odd idle - vibration in the cabin - saw all the doom and gloom about timing chains and after replacing every sensor with Bosch or similar I decided to book in with Stealth....
.. good job really as the tensioner was battered!
Video on the rollers at stealth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_r3Mx1i2-E
The following year (2020) I decided I wanted it repainted. The car had suffered a bad blow over and there were masking lines around all the rubbers.
The wings did come off for paint also, just didn't get a picture
Bought the speedlines and put it back together
Although it had a nice cloth interior my friend was breaking a Corrado with leather so I bought that off of him to get the car where I wanted. I would love Recaros but far too pricey - c£3k -4k these days
Beautiful car OP...I see we hanker after the same next/additional car haha! I've heard lots of good things about Stealth. I'm tempted to instigate a mechanical refresh/rebuild. Just to futureproof her. Then afterwards get the exterior finish A1. I've budgeted for £1k for bodywork. No idea on mechanicals though..... Time for some homework.
ChocolateFrog said:
My gut feeling is that these are still yet to be fully appreciated.
Definitely a keeper if you have the space and don't need the cash.
By coincidence I'm just watching the CarSOS episode with the Corrado.
I absolutely love the Corrado vr6, and briefly owned a ratty blue one years ago. The noise with a cone intake was very special.Definitely a keeper if you have the space and don't need the cash.
By coincidence I'm just watching the CarSOS episode with the Corrado.
Their values as a "future classic" have been talked up by the 'experts' for a decade now, but the reality has been far different. It doesn't seem to attract anything like the demand that it should as such an iconic car, sadly.
MARLBOROLITES said:
Beautiful car OP...I see we hanker after the same next/additional car haha! I've heard lots of good things about Stealth. I'm tempted to instigate a mechanical refresh/rebuild. Just to futureproof her. Then afterwards get the exterior finish A1. I've budgeted for £1k for bodywork. No idea on mechanicals though..... Time for some homework.
Yes we do! Stealth are very good and not terrible on their hourly rate compared to other specialists. I have always found them very accomodating and noticed when I am there they are always helping people out with odd jobs other garages would not touch. My chains and clutch was about a £grand, the head refurb was £450. I've had an indicative quote of what a bottom end build might cost, I don't need it but just so i know and it's just over 3 grand if I deliver the engine out of the car. Not terrible numbers for engine work by a specialist who has done thousands of them. I briefly had a Land Rover Discovery and saw engine rebuild prices could be up to £12k!
I've found bodywork to be the most expensive work, not sure what you need doing though.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff