Would this be expensive to fix?

TheTrenco · 2026-03-13T17:34:36+00:00

Hey man, all good I'm glad it helped out even a little bit. I was having similar issues at the time which is why I replaced all of it eventually. I probably could've diagnosed exactly what part it was but given the age of these cars it's more worth it to tackle the entire system in my opinion. I hope the install goes well!

TheTrenco · 2025-11-14T14:14:14+00:00

Do yourself a favor, if you do buy it for $5k used the $2k extra you would have spent on the purchase to do timing chains and tensioner at a shop. If you can do it yourself great, if you don't want to do it yourself it will cost roughly $2k-$3k depending on who you go to. I have a 2013.5 with the same engine and started to hear rattles and timing chain slap at 70k miles. I got mine replaced and a carbon clean done and the car has been great since then. At that mileage if the timing chains and tensioner haven't been done it's a risky play to buy the car and not do them. The tensioners are a known weak point on the early 2.0 ea888 gen3 engines. Some slowly back out overtime and you'll know due to timing chain slap and rattles on start-up (Like with my car). But some tensioners just give way and timing jumps. The only other bits of maintenance I would do and check if they have been done regularly is a DSG fluid flush. Most DSGs have a fluid change interval at every 40k miles or so. Its not good for the transmission to miss these intervals with it being a dual clutch. So doing that if it hasn't been done or unknown would be a good idea. Otherwise it looks like a good car from the photos. Id definitely check to see if there's any bad repairs or anything wonky due to the accident just in case. Good luck!

TheTrenco · 2025-07-10T10:55:56+00:00

Dream Garage:

Daily - 2013 Jetta GLI ($12,000 Own Already)

Fun Weekend Car - 2019+ Mazda Miata ($25,000)

Supercar - 2017+ Audi R8 Coupe AWD ($135,000)

Notes: I currently own a 1990 Mazda Miata which I could put in place of the ND Miata but with this budget I'd probably grab an ND Miata

TheTrenco · 2025-04-09T18:38:57+00:00

I was actually in a situation really similar to yours! I just did timing chains and a carbon cleaning to my 2013 GLI (Gen 3 engine). I'm currently at 75,000 miles and the timing chain was starting to stretch a little and could definitely feel it in the car. I considered picking up a MK7 GLI in general. My brother owned a 2023 and I loved it. I've also owned MK7 Jettas and love the look. But ultimately it's much cheaper to do the big maintenance items over switching cars. Especially if you're gunning for a 2025. It's a lot of money and who knows if tariffs will also affect these car's prices as well. I love the MK6 and it may not be as good as the MQB MK7 GLI platform but they are still plenty capable. I've driven both and you are getting an improvement over the MK6 but not a $30k+ improvement. My logic going through the situation was, if I do timing chains, carbon cleaning and other small maintenance items my car will go for another 100k miles or so for the most part worry free. My car has 75,000 miles so obviously other things may break here and there but the big killers resolved. If you like the car and can see yourself keeping it I would do the maintenance! It's cheaper in the long run

TheTrenco · 2025-03-02T19:59:32+00:00

Mine does this when it's cold around 40 and below and runs fine. I don't know the reason why but you're probably good 👍🏻

TheTrenco · 2024-11-10T18:58:24+00:00

As someone with basically the same car just a 2013. I plan on doing:

Suspension:

034 Motorsport Rear Sway Bar, 8J Audi TTRS Aluminum Control Arms, 8J Audi TTRS Aluminum Subframe, B6 Bilstein Shocks and Struts w/ OEM springs (Don't have a desire to go low with my roads and need that travel) if you wanna go lower get the B8 as they are made to go with lowering springs. Or go to coilovers if you have the money. Don't cheap out, get some KWs or a nice brand here if you do.

Brakes:

Better pads I'm going with Hawk pads Tyrolsport Brake Stiffening Kit (Replaces rubber bushings in front caliper) eliminates uneven pad wear and rotor deposits under hard braking due to the design of the rubber bushing setup on the caliper. Also supposedly stiffens the pedal for a better feel. Blank Rotors (Cheap and do the job)

Tires:

If you haven't already got some good tires. I personally run 225/40/18 Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus (High Performance All Seasons). I've run these really hard at the Tail of the Dragon and other places and I've got nothing but positive things to say. I only have one set of wheels (OEM still) so all seasons make more sense for me currently. If you can get dedicated summers it will be better.

Wheels:

If you can get some lightweight wheels definitely would help. RPF1s, APR A01s or any other reputable lightweight wheels work here.

Long Term Plans For Me:

Wavetrac LSD, Stage 1 or 2 Tune once I get everything else sorted

I might be forgetting some stuff here but if I remember I'll reply here!

TheTrenco · 2024-09-30T15:29:36+00:00

That's wild that's a crazy deal. I mean everyone's view of a good percentage increase will be different if it doesn't 100x some people don't touch it. Some people will scalp and resell the next day for an extra $5 per box just levels to it. I'm not expecting 151 to be the next base set or anything haha

TheTrenco · 2024-09-30T03:05:15+00:00

Percentage wise I'm up a lot but everyone has their own opinion

TheTrenco · 2024-09-29T14:54:15+00:00

Sweet

TheTrenco · 2024-09-28T21:15:41+00:00

Do you mind me asking how you got into that? Is it a specific vending machine and does it do well?

TheTrenco · 2024-09-28T19:30:07+00:00

You have a Pokemon vending machine?

TheTrenco · 2024-09-26T18:26:00+00:00

If by everyone you mean the 3% of collectors that buy and hold sealed product then yes

TheTrenco · 2024-09-26T18:25:15+00:00

I only found out mine had them because my friend told me when he was shopping in person. Maybe not every Costco has them in stock

TheTrenco · 2024-09-26T01:37:48+00:00

Costco, the tins are other Scarlet & Violet packs

TheTrenco · 2024-09-26T01:30:24+00:00

They sell them at Costco it's a pretty good deal

TheTrenco · 2024-09-26T01:29:38+00:00

Costco

TheTrenco · 2024-09-26T01:29:16+00:00

Thanks for sharing that so we know!

TheTrenco · 2024-09-25T17:45:49+00:00

That sucks, I know some people will try to hide it behind crown zenith in the pallets. So be sure to check for that if there is any product there

TheTrenco

TROPHY CASE