Corrado pitfalls & issues, what to look for when buying?

Hi guys,

I've had E30's for the past ten years and with my 320is staying firmly as a garage/show vehicle I'd like a Rado as a evening/weekend car.
I'm after some advice as to what to look for when viewing one of these. Fuel econmomy isn't an issue so I'm leaning towards a VR although other engines will be considered if the rest of the car is very good. Fire away with your pointers guys.
I've been scouring pistonheads, ebay, car & classic etc and have seen some very nice Rado's but I'm not going to view any without a bit of knowledge behind me.

Thanks in advance guys.

http://the-corrado.net/forum.php

I had a Corrado VR6 for just over 1 year and still one of the best cars Ive ever owned so I say go for it BUT mine only had just over 50k on it and was mint - never had a problem. Remember you are buying an old motor now and if you go VR then chains/rebuild around the 100k mark....

check sunroof tilts and slides
ele3ctric mirrors work
rear spioler gos up at 50mph and down at standstill
and works off the button on under side of dash right side check bottoms of front wings as thay go there
electric windows are quite slow going up just need a good grease
if its a late corrado make sure the heater fan works on all speeds as the switches are a lot of money 50+ for a second hand one
make sure headlamp refectors arnt showing signs of going yellow its the coating coming off
pull headlamp switch out to makesure wires arnt burnt common problem if its got a inline fuse in one of the wires its ok as its a mod to stop the dash fires

think thats most of the probs hahah
me mates got a mint m plate vr6 hes selling its on piston heads at the minute red one think plate ends in ccv its a stanard car not even touched

Thanks for the info' guys, duly noted and I'll take it with me.

I have seen the red VR6 based in Cambridge on pistonheads, more than I want to spend unfortunately.

In response to caddyman's spoiler speed, they vary when they 'pop'. Both my former 2.0 16v and my current vr rose/raise at 58 mph and once I go under 15 it lowers. I did hear many years ago that in some rados they didnt rise until you hit 70, but I cant varify that in print or by an actual car.
Join the corrado forum if you already haven't - http://the-corrado.net/forum.php
When searching for my vr I looked on here first. I chose mine cos it had been looked after, no expense spared and came with a giant box containing a folder full of reciepts for work done, dating back to its first owner, along with various sprinter mags and other corrado club stuff. When I went and saw the car it was in mint condition and continually garaged. The seller was a sound guy who, because of our love for the car,became a good friend of mine. I think as much history and recipts as poss helps to choosing a 18-14 yr old car!

my spoiler raised up at 35 MPH

Fenboyd wrote:

In response to caddyman's spoiler speed, they vary when they 'pop'. Both my former 2.0 16v and my current vr rose/raise at 58 mph and once I go under 15 it lowers. I did hear many years ago that in some rados they didnt rise until you hit 70, but I cant varify that in print or by an actual car.

thats what mine does too ;-)

nelds wrote:

my spoiler raised up at 35 MPH

blimey, but that just goes to show they vary

Also, here are some after thoughts :
*when you go for a test drive put both the heated seats on to see if they work,
*check the rear wiper works,
*check the headlights for bullet-holes from stones.
*its common for the front bumper indicators and fogs to retain condensation, become opaque and or crack / tend to be cracked. Ive found the indicators not too much of a prob to replace via ebay but the fogs are hard to get,most seem to be from early model rados.In pvw Aug 05 their project rado was fitted with new OEM fogs and indicators from Euro Car Parts. Don't know if you can still get these through them as the majority of parts are now obsolete. I used ebay so replacements were somewhat cheaper although second hand, but still good as new.
*Some vr's have a oil temp and tach meter ( tells you how charged the batt is ) below the ash tray, mine didn't.

Dont buy one that ritchard hammond has driven either

Yeah cos you'll get texts from your mates saying " I just seen your car on Dave ", and everytime a mag prints how much top gear loves the rado or when someone talks about that episode you'll know that it's your car they are talking about. How uncool and annoying would that be!