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

[deltashad]

Your mk4 is a peach. High quality interiors are under rated. Must have been an expensive purchase for the original owner. The exterior is perfect. Standard but posh run around. Very nice indeed.

[S3_Graham]

Always had a soft spot for mk3's. Wish I'd kept my VR6 longer. They make such a noise.

The MK4's have lovely interiors, my dad had an 03 V5 in green with cream leather.

[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

[_Nathan_]

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

[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

[Fun Bus]

Great write-up, thanks for sharing.

My wife has a Mk4 GTi 180 which, other than the subtle roof spoiler is as it left the factory. Like you say, original Mk4's a few and far between now.

[okie592]

very nice oem xenons are the best! good choice keeping it standard, too many ruined ones around, only thing it needs now is aero arms and blades

[Changedmyname]

I had a mk3 a 8v , the lack of power did my head in so I traded it in for a mk4 18t.
This was a little better power wise though very boaty ,which I had to fix even if the car was only 16 mths old at the time.
At the time this was the best petrol mk4 golf on the market before the Anni came out but still too slow , then a couple of mates and I took our cars to a local tuner to be mapped , I was the only one with the aum engine so I was adviced the bluefin map , the others had revo with 192hp on the rr, mine was 212hp+ nice.
At this time the car looked standard so the Mrs brought me some wolfrace alloys for my B/D and had the black plastic bit colour coded just to look different.The car stayed like this for 6 years.
Now I'm changing it back to standard for selling on.
A bloody good car in the time that I had it, just the usual things when wrong ,windows, bushes etc but all replaced to factory spec.
There are a lot of haters on here as you know , but I don't give a hoot.
Who ever has this car after me will have a dam good 'un.

[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.

[Spanna]

The heated Recaros are amazing on a cold morning. I had the cream leathers in my GTi and they do get very hot! Admittedly, my Golf wasn't standard.

[melvster]

I still think the MK4 has aged really well, it still looks good now better than the MK5 IMO. Yours is a really nice spec, MK3 has a real 90's looks which i rather like. Friend has a MK4 TDI 90 and it is built like a brick sthouse, 127k miles and still going strong.

[Adz The Rat]

MK3 looks like a good one, I much prefer that over the MK4.

It is strange to see one at standard ride height though!

[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.

[va1o]

MK4 looks incredible, what a spec! Be sure to post on here if you ever consider selling it

[lewisf182]

Mk4 looks incredible! got a bora myself and the interior on these mk4's is top notch quality. Would love the spec your's has though.

[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

[Supernova190188]

Your mk4 is absolutely identical to mine with the exception of the wheels , mine has I think rs4 wheels on but not 100% sure. Lovely cars and very nice place to be. Great for mile munching.

[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

[Supernova190188]

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!