My Mk3&4 Golfs with a difference

[martin mrt]

The difference being, from most other mk3 and 4 Golfs, these still have standard sized wheels and suspension that still works, a rarity nowadays

This mk4 was purchased in quite a sorry state to be honest, however beneath the grime, scabby wheels and minor faults I knew there was a great and somewhat rare specced (for a TDi) example, the colour and spec were ideal, of all the mk4s I've had inc the Anni & R32 this one is higher specced than both










Optional factory extras are
Sunroof
Multi function Steering wheel and full FIS display
Black leather Recaros
Winter pack (heated seats, washer jets headlamp wash)
Cruise Control

As you can see, other than the options above its a standard mk4 TDi 150, I had two choices once I had it home, find bigger wheels, change the suspension etc, or keep it standard. After weighing up my options I decided with the latter as good unmolested mk4 TDIs with decent spec are few and far between.

Since buying the car I have carried out the following jobs

Wheels refurbished at PPS, fitted with 4x new OEM centre caps
4 x brand new mudflaps fitted
Front arch liners removed, inside of wings cleaned out and checked for corrosion. There were no foam pads fitted to the car, hence why the wings are the rust free originals
Drivers side lower seat foam as original was sagging
New number plates
Dent in boot lid repaired and painted by Warren at NE auto body, top job too with window removed so no paint on seals
New badges fitted
OEM Xenons
Bora Sport foils, needles and cluster cover with chrome rings
Bora Vents
Parrot kit

Still to be done

Timing belt, water pump and a service, being done when I'm away
MFD sat nav, ordered on its way, probably never use it but the screen looks nicer than the gamma unit that's fitted at the moment
OEM carpet mats
Order correct euro spec GTI badge instead of US one that was sent

Onto my mk3 Colour Concept, no its not the one your all expecting, this was bought as a stter for me to use when we are Both at home. I paid roughly the cost of an interior plus the scrap money for the shell, for the car so I can't complain, or lose.

Seller was a top lad, totally genuine bloke, it was his wife's car, he bought her something newer and it was time, after 8 years to let it go

Here's the pics I got of the car from the seller, not at all flattering, but honest



After getting the car home, I fitted some wheels I borrowed from Roddy, still got to get his Solitudes from Bobby next week, gave it a clean and here's it now







Looks loads better after a clean, its needing some small jobs done, but hopefully it will mot ok, if so it may get a VR dropped in as that 8v lump is dire

I know neither of these cars are the cutting edge of driver dynamics, and never will be, however they were bought with cheap low cost motoring in mind whilst we focus on paying off some of our mortgage this year and hopefully purchasing an E90 M3 with the benefits,

Thanks for looking

[martin mrt]

Thank you, the mk4 is certainly a nice place to sit, considering its age.

The mk3 I'm currently not too excited about, had it been a VR6 then perhaps, but the boat anchor 8v lump is awful

[martin mrt]

_Nathan_ said:

Lovely Mk4. Strange for it to have all that spec but not a 3 spoke steering wheel.

Its got the rare option of a Multi function steering wheel which was never available in 3 spoke, hence the 4 spoke

[martin mrt]

Thanks for the positive response with regards to the mk4, as I know there are lots of haters on here with regards to the mk4 but I like them, this is far better to sit in than any of its rivals of the time, and as its a family car, and mainly my OH daily drive that's all that matters

The mk3 is on borrowed time already, exhaust has started to leak, front bearing is noisy and to be frank I can't be bothered fixing something I don't really like.

[martin mrt]

I used to prefer the mk3 to the mk4, but not in this case, had it been a nice VR6 then i would possibly agree.

Only saving grace for that mk3 is its relatively clean and it has the Recaro interior.

[martin mrt]

Thanks you guys, i have been asked twice if i will sell the mk4 already, and each answer has been a firm NO. Im not ready to part with it, and for the money it cost, it would literally be irreplaceable with anything remotely similar

I had a Bora too, i was looking at them just minutes ago to replace the Mk3, but theres nothing that catches my eye at the minute

[martin mrt]

I considered changing the wheels for 18s as mine were very scruffy, however decided against it.

Exactly the same spec, including colour and Recaros? There can't be many in the uk, if there is no one will sell then

[martin mrt]

Supernova190188 said:

Yeh exactly the same colour, seats etc. I haven't got the sunroof though actually, got aircon/climatronic instead. Oh and also don't have the bora dials . I know, very rare, took a good few weeks of hunting to find one!

This has climatronic and the sunroof, harks back to the days of my Golf VR6s they had climatronic and the sunroof too. Perfect.
Does your have Xenons too?
I retrofitted the Bora foils from another set of clocks, very straightforward and this way no coding, or mileage adjustments required