Mechanically Totaled VW Golf R Bought Online: A 1000-Mile Fixer-Upper Road Trip

Auction Purchase and Initial Discovery

• 🎯 A 2015 VW Golf R was purchased at auction for $8,000, despite being listed as mechanically totaled with a clean title.
• 💡 The car appeared to be in good condition in photos, with a clean interior and good service history, leading the buyer to believe it was a good deal.
• ⚠️ Upon arrival at Rich Rebuilds' shop, a significant hole was discovered in both the engine oil pan and the DSG transmission.

Diagnostic Challenges and Parts

• 🔍 The car wouldn't start, with codes indicating low oil pressure and other issues, despite initial research suggesting it should still crank.
• 🛠️ Carly OBD scanner was used to diagnose 86 issues, highlighting problems with oil temperature, oil pressure, and various other control modules.
• 💰 The cost of replacement parts from Volkswagen was found to be exceptionally high, with small components like wiring harnesses costing over $100.
• 🚀 A steel oil pan upgrade from ShopDap.com was ordered, along with other necessary parts like a baffle and oil level sensor.

Engine and Transmission Repairs

• ✅ Inspection of a rod cap revealed no significant damage to the bearings or crankshaft, suggesting the engine may not have been run without oil for an extended period.
• ⚙️ The plastic oil pickup tube was found to be cracked, necessitating replacement with a new one.
• 🔩 A significant issue was the damage to the transmission bell housing, requiring a temporary fix to allow for the drive home.
• 🔧 The dog bone mount for the transmission was also replaced due to damage.

Road Trip Preparations and Outlook

• 🚗 The car was fitted with a new steel oil pan, oil filter, and various other components, with the hope of making it roadworthy.
• 💡 Despite the extensive repairs and high part costs, the car's overall condition, including the interior and body, was praised.
• 🤔 The video concludes with the car still not starting, leaving the diagnosis and the 1,000-mile road trip to Chicago for a future video.