1995 Volkswagen Golf VR6 review from UK and Ireland

Well, when I first got the car, it had been sitting (not getting use) for almost 1 year, so I knew there would be a few things; but I got it cheaply, so am not too bothered.

Head gasket was showing signs that it needed to be replaced, so got it done. While it was in, the mechanic found that it needed a chain guide and new thermostat.

All in, it cost me £250 including parts, so not a lot.

Since then, everything has been tiptop.

The car was a totally standard 3 door Golf VR6 in 'Dragon Green', so I started spending a few quid on her.

Things that have been done so far:

KW springs and shocks.

Deep chin front splitter.

BMC CDA induction kit.

Custom 2.5" straight pipe exhaust.

De-cat.

Once all the above was done, it felt like a true VR6 should feel.

The car is very fast, and I've had 300bhp Celicas and other fast Japanese imports, so I know what speed is; it isn't amazingly fast, but for a Golf, it goes.

0-60 = 6.5

top speed = 150mph+

The car handles okay; not as good as some other Japanese cars I've owned, but all in all it does fine.

The best part of the car would have to be the sound track of the V6 lump. With the exhaust and de-cat, it sounds totally unreal at around 4000rpm mark.

Bad Bits:

The main bad point to this car would be the MPG; it's the worst ever car I've had for this. On the bypass I can get around 20-26MPG, but around town it's more like 15-19MPG. It's very hard to live with as your daily driver.

Insurance; I'm not sure why as I've had loads of fast cars before, but the Vr seems to be up there with the best of them for high insurance premium.

All in All:

In my view, when the car was standard it seemed a little dull, but with the suspension plus filter and exhaust, it turned the car into a totally different machine.

As far as new hot hatches come, the Vr can match any for performance, as I have beaten Astra VXR and Leon Cupra R.

I've tried to be as honest about the car as I can.

Thanks.