Mk4 Gti, 12v or 24v VR6?

[Arden Weiher]

Okay I always have problems with making these tough desicions. I think I want the 24v because of the extra hp and a little better mpg, but I heard the 12v sounds sexier, and is easier to work on with cheaper mods too. Please help me with this decision. Btw I just drove a 24v and loved it but his needed a lot of work.

[GLI-R]

12 exhaust valves will always sound better than 6...


Make up your mind and get the 24v

[GiveEmHell]

24v. Hands down, why would you want an inferior engine?
It's much more reliable and certain parts (chain guides specifically) are upgraded/better so they won't fail.

But again I'm biased

[projektmk1vr6]

The answer is pretty simple.

[zhylun]

24v for sure.

[known2ridenaked]

i got the 12v and i just drove my buddies 24v the other day and hands down his pulls much harder...
but with my magnaflow exhaust mine sounds sexier... but i think its kinda like phone sex, sounds good but you really don't know what's on the other end.

[Arden Weiher]

I don't know though, the 12v is so much more affordable too though and yes I have heard of the timing belt problems but if you replace it every 75-100K miles it is not supposed to be a problem. ecs tuning has a replacement kit for about $250

[mooseinabox]

I don't know though, the 12v is so much more affordable too though and yes I have heard of the timing belt problems but if you replace it every 75-100K miles it is not supposed to be a problem. ecs tuning has a replacement kit for about $250

lol. not so sure you should buy a VR if you think it's going to have a timing belt..

[WillToBeWeird]

24v

And unless you can do the chains on the 12v on your own, you can probably expect around $1,000.

[Arden Weiher]

okay so the 24v does not have the chain issue, correct? but I heard that the 24v is a complete pain to work on, and i'm on a tighter budget. I think it will most likley come down to what I can find near me, there is a really nice 12v near me that I might go look at, and to look at another 24v it will be a 4hr drive to just look at it.

[mooseinabox]

okay so the 24v does not have the chain issue, correct? but I heard that the 24v is a complete pain to work on, and i'm on a tighter budget. I think it will most likley come down to what I can find near me, there is a really nice 12v near me that I might go look at, and to look at another 24v it will be a 4hr drive to just look at it.

If you replace it on any VR at the proper intervals, you're fine. It doesn't matter which one.. just keep an eye on it.

Also, EVERY VR is a pain in the a$$ to work on. I guess a 24v is more complicated, though. Don't expect it to be easy breezy with a 12v just cause it isn't a 24v.

VR's are probably the least reliable, most annoying engine of the MKIV's.. but it's still my favorite.

[Ramo]

If you replace it on any VR at the proper intervals, you're fine. It doesn't matter which one.. just keep an eye on it.

Also, EVERY VR is a pain in the a$$ to work on. I guess a 24v is more complicated, though. Don't expect it to be easy breezy with a 12v just cause it isn't a 24v.

VR's are probably the least reliable, most annoying engine of the MKIV's.. but it's still my favorite.

[GiveEmHell]

Not really, think there are some guys up past 200k miles and haven't touch the chain yet

[DannyLo]

VR's are probably the least reliable, most annoying engine of the MKIV's.. but it's still my favorite.

Where did you hear that? The 24v, is probably close to or on par with the 2.Slow on reliability with longevity. There are virtually no major issues with the engine. 12v is a little bit of a different story, but still, very reliable if maintained properly.

As with all VWs (and most other european cars) however, what you put into them is what you'll get in return. Follow all maintenance intervals to a 'T' and regardless of what engine the car has, unless it has major recalls or is a lemon, it will be reliable.

[GiveEmHell]

VR's are probably the least reliable, most annoying engine of the MKIV's.. but it's still my favorite.

Hahaha are you ****ing high? You think a 1.8t is more reliable???
**** outta here dude

My little brother has one, and after 60k they basically fall to ****.
It's a turbo motor, they will never ever be more reliable than an N/A motor.

Sorry for cursing

[MurryEB]

Hahaha are you ****ing high? You think a 1.8t is more reliable???
**** outta here dude

My little brother has one, and after 60k they basically fall to ****.
It's a turbo motor, they will never ever be more reliable than an N/A motor.

Sorry for cursing

So because you're brother's 1.8t "fell to ****" means that all 1.8t's are unreliable? Ask anyone one here and they'll tell you which is easier to work on, if you count that in towards reliability. And I can't agree that anything is as reliable as a 2.0, I could piss in the oil pan if I ran outta oil and drive 300 miles before having to pee in it again to continue driving

[GiveEmHell]

So because you're brother's 1.8t "fell to ****" means that all 1.8t's are unreliable? Ask anyone one here and they'll tell you which is easier to work on, if you count that in towards reliability. And I can't agree that anything is as reliable as a 2.0, I could piss in the oil pan if I ran outta oil and drive 300 miles before having to pee in it again to continue driving

No I was just saying I have some experience with those engines, being that my brother has one.
Probably shoulda separated the statements. But to my knowledge, most 1.8ts do not last long before it goes to hell.
Like I said, when it comes to reliability N/A>Turbo

But yeah the 2.0 probably wins for reliability out of the three, but it's lame haha
And if you want reliable buy a GM product with a 3800 series motor.
Bought one and drove it for two days and then the engine blew, turns out the po took off the oil pan and forgot to put it back on.

Two days, no oil.
The f?

Ninja edit:
Also, if my VR6 never breaks down, I never have to really work on it. So who cares which is easier to fix if one never breaks? See my point?

[MurryEB]

Yeah keep up with everything on almost any engine and it'll last, but when you have to change a VR's chains, I'd rather do a 1.8 timing belt. Not saying it's really harder, I'm just not looking forward to it , 2.0's timing belt wasn't so bad. But yes generally NA>FI reliability I can't argue that.

I lol'd about that 3800, those are good motors my buddy's about to pick up an 04 L36 Monte Carlo SS with 45k miles on it, the non S/C 3800. Definitely garage kept, it's spotless. I'd trust 90% of GM engines over a lot of things. Same buddy's grandfather has an 06 Avalanche with 435k on it, tranny finally gave in around 400k, 5.3 vortech still kicking . I'm still waiting for my dad to give up his 02 Silverado 6.0 4 door so I can buy it off him, only 32k on it

[Soundwave_vr6]

12v add turbo swap in 6spd

[toplessvw]

24 valve is a better choice and is already rocking a six speed. No harder to work on then the 12 valve both are tight in the front

[Arden Weiher]

thanks so much for the information you guys! I always thoght, besides the chain problem that a 12v would be more reliable since it has less moving parts. I think I will be looking for a 24v. (99% sure anyways)

[Ryro]

24 valve all the way

[jP!ll]

good choice, i bought m 24v about a year ago and have absolutely nothing to complain about. i love it!

[mooseinabox]

Hahaha are you ****ing high? You think a 1.8t is more reliable???
**** outta here dude

My little brother has one, and after 60k they basically fall to ****.
It's a turbo motor, they will never ever be more reliable than an N/A motor.

Sorry for cursing

No, I'm not high, *******.

It's my opinion. I own a 1.8t that's been very nice to me, and I work at a VW/Audi specialist shop where we get all the MKIV engines. The VR is more complicated, N/A or not. I guess I have much more experience with older spec VR's.. so maybe that's my problem.

But, seriously.. everyone who knows anything about VW knows you're fine if you're not a dumba$$ and just take care of your dang motor.
EDIT: I guarantee your bro is retarded. Mine has 162,XXX and has not a single problem with the motor or turbo.

[ClevelandGTI]

I can say that both motors are great and will last you a long time as long as the previous owner took care of them.
1.8t - i have had more problems with probably because stupid teens think there fast n the furious because it makes a swoosh sound. Ive heard of them running past 200k as long as timing belt and water ppump were done, but i see alot of turbos go on them too after having a tune for a while
Vr6 - nothing compares to the sound just sexy, 12v def have more chain issues but as long as that and water pump and crack pipe are done ive seen 200k + no problem. 24v dont see too much with chain issues def are a little quicker but also most of the time more expensive plus to fix.

hands down both awsome motors just all depends on the previous owner

[Arden Weiher]

Thanks you guys! just bought myself a 2002 jetta gli vr6 24v. Love it already

[JeremiahSOW]

Congrats

[orzel541]

Thanks you guys! just bought myself a 2002 jetta gli vr6 24v. Love it already

Congrats

Treat it well

[slowandproud]

Thanks you guys! just bought myself a 2002 jetta gli vr6 24v. Love it already

Pics or it didnt happen

[Arden Weiher]

sure ill get pics in a little bit

[Arden Weiher]

Here are some pics. the interiors a 9.5 exterior near perfect, and the engine is strong.

[VRsexALLDAY]

24v

[S1iver]

the 24v's are great.

toobad you can't get all the cool options like you could on the 12v 99.5-02's

[GLI-R]

Duuuude car looks so clean!

Maintenance first! Oil change (I reccomend Castrol SLX OE 5w-30 or EDGE 5W-40 then G12 Coolant Flush and maybe new spark plugs will do

[Arden Weiher]

thanks for the info. when i bought it, it had just recently been detailed and maintained so it wont need oil for a while or anything like that, all i have really done so far is fix minor problems and wax and clean it since it did a 300mile drive right after i bought it.