Hello to all. Im new to the site and am looking at buying my 1st g40. I not very clued up on theses cars, have tried finding reviews of them on google but haven't come across anything.
I just wanted to now what they are like and if there are certain things to look for when buying a g40. Another thing i will be using the car on a daily basis to go to and from work, will this be ok?
Any help and advice will be greatly appreciated, cheers jarno
when buying and owning a g40 If you are looking to run it as a daily then I'd suggest buying a well looked after one and not buying with your heart when you first experience just how quick they can be. Most g40's will have covered in excess of 100k miles. most people who "pamper" their cars will regularly service them. check to see if the charger has been serviced as you'll be on the receiving end of £350 bill if it lets go. Like all cars the G40 will be fine if looked after. Dont lose sight that they are "getting on" a bit so its inevitable that at some point something will go wrong.
Have a good look around the body for panel gaps etc cos I dare say a lot of G40s at some point have been repaired somewhere. you can get a £6.99 device now that detects bad paint/filler. Check the front chassis legs at the bulkhead as with such power they do have a nasty habit of tearing. check it has the ATV coded gearbox. A lot of people when theirs implodes decide to fit the cheaper 8p version(does a job tho)
Obviously check for smoke on cold start up/under load and when backing off. This will tell you if the car is burning oil(valve stem seals etc). could be a sign that a rebuild is required and this could cost you as much as buying a cheap G40.
Interior is pretty basic, look that you have the (160mph i think) clocks as when these fail people usually fit the 120mpg GT clocks. some cars came with sunroof so check lifters as they rot. optional extras were headlamp washers, electric windows etc. Tinted green glass.
Have a good look under the car for rust and it could be hidden and you could be buying a PUP that needs a lof welding.
Under the battery is a common place to find rot, tailgates have a habit of rusting also.
the list is endless and I could carry on however I'm sure others will comment as this is just from my personal experience with G40s.
Ben ;)
Service history of the charger is very important.
check the front chassis legs for fractures and cracks and this is a week area and just hitting a curb could bend the chassis.
check the sills they often get crushed by retards who don't know how to jack a car and often start rusting.
also check the battery tray witch is renown for rust and holes and will often flood the drivers foot well not nice.
The shell is the most important part of the G40 apart from the engine of course when buying if you have solid shell that requires no work your on to a winner as a lot of G40's are almost 20years old and every other part of a G40 can be upgraded/Replaced with only a small amount of mechanical knowledge.
Well thanks for the advice ben much appreciated ;D. I have seen that most of them have over 100k in mileage, but i was wondering what is the limit on mileage if any? I have a 306 d turbo at the moment, and i n people that have 230k on the clock and they are still going. So is there an amount of mileage that you would not go for, or is it as long as it serviced etc then mileage is not much of a factor? cheers jarno
thanks for the advice cheddarcheese on and nice name, lol
My white G40 had 170k on the clock and apart from the headgasket letting go (another common problem so check for mayonnaise substance in expansion tank and dipstick( usually weeps from front left of the block as you stand in front of the car.) she ran fine, however I would say that with high mileage inevitably comes bore wear and the inevitable rebuild. This would be piston rings( you may need to upgrade if the wear on the bores is too much), main and big end bearings. oil pump, waterpump, gasket sets. the list goes on and can be expensive.
Again the head could need attention, valve guides need replacing, oil stem seals etc.
there's a couple on heres with 80-100k on the clock that look like a good bet. They may be 2- 2.5k but you gets what you pays for, if a car seems too cheap there will be and underlying reason. My old man said if you buy too cheap chances are you are buying another mans problems!!!!!!!!!
Always take someone elese if you can to view the car, they will see bits you dont!!!!!!!!!
I use my G daily. Preventative maintence is key. Check the shell thoroughly though. Very easy to maintain, a great laugh and millage is not something I worry about, mines on 160k now and I'm not particularly worried. I've spent a small fortune as have many on here on keeping the mechanicals fresh though. Modified ones are the ones i would be more weary of though unless it's someone I know or trust who's regular on here. A lot of G40's have slipped through the hands of pikeys and often get ruined. Modifications often mean extra stresses on both mechanicals and body. As bens mentioned you get what you pay for usually so pay as much as you can afford. Service history, I have service history up until i bought mine but i refuse to pay someone for something i can do. But then if anyone asked I'd show them the wad of reciepts so if you come across this situation use your initiative and decide for yourself on wether the car has actually had the attention they claim it has. There will be alot of owners on here who will be the same and won't pay for a 15-18 year old car to be serviced when they can do it.
i'd also say try to view/drive a few.
I've driven some proper sh1tters - you don;t realise how solid they can be until you get in a decent one.
Well thanx for all the advice lad i will be starting to have a look for one soon after christmas. I have a 306 d turbo so would like to find someone who would take it in part aswell as some cash then dont have to go through the hassle of selling it.
I don't think you will have any chance of part exchanging the 306d with cash for a G40!
Quote from: cheddarcheese on December 21, 2009, 12:09:56 PM
I don't think you will have any chance of part exchanging the 306d with cash for a G40!
You would be pretty surprised, i'd be tempted by any sort of TDI polo at the moment!
Quote from: PeteG40 on December 20, 2009, 06:05:15 PM
i'd also say try to view/drive a few.
I've driven some proper sh1tters - you don;t realise how solid they can be until you get in a decent one.
mines a shitter, lol as we discussed Pete, mine does rattle a bit ::) ::)
Quote from: tdh-syorks on December 21, 2009, 01:20:51 PM
Quote from: PeteG40 on December 20, 2009, 06:05:15 PM
i'd also say try to view/drive a few.
I've driven some proper sh1tters - you don;t realise how solid they can be until you get in a decent one.
mines a shitter, lol as we discussed Pete, mine does rattle a bit ::) ::)
lol - you just need the dash actually screwing in!!!
Quote from: Rae on December 21, 2009, 01:19:03 PM
nothing wrong with those 306 D Turbo's! wind the boost up = fun and cheap to run/tax/insure!
My brother just got one for his missus. Crank up the diesel pressure from the bosche pump along with boost from the K03 fitted too.