Mk4 Golf GTTDi 01-03

[steve.c]

As title, have started to look at the above for 'swmbo' is there anything in particular I should look out for when giving them the once over or test driving?

[Northern Munkee]

Usual stuff really. Make sure it has a genuine full service history (does anyone ring up garages to check stamps) preferably a wodge of invoices and MOTs, try and satisfy yourself its had proper oil (correct spec - difficult) changes to schedule, and all the belts have been changed to schedule, my '02 130 has cambelts done at every 60k, i also get the other belts done at the same time (saves money/while car off the road). Any doubts on belts you could consider just getting them changed after purchase, I know a mate of mine does this religiously, on every car he purchases, after a cambelt snapped on what was recently purchased sirrocco (this is many years ago) it proved a very expensive, not sure if it wasn't a new engine, a bit OTT if you ask me, but anyway it messed with his bank balance and clearly his head.

You won't see it, but the oil is so fine it might blow some through the turbo, this is no big deal, depending on the mileage (over 160K myself) the turbo might not be long for this life, however reconditioned turbos are not massively expensive.

Beyond that a re gas of a/c is fairly cheap, I've had one of those, I've had glovebox lid lock break, a new radiator (bullet from out the back of a lorry) and usual consumables, pads etc (one new set of discs all round) beyond that they are (wood touching) reliable/bombproof. And the mpgs can be believed.

I steered clear of 150s apparently 17" alloys and sports suspension make for a very firm ride, and 150s are occasionally reported to do clutches. Must be the torque! 110s are a bit rattly (well I know they are all rattly to a degree) 115s had a busier service schedule, as PD motors were new then.

edit to add - servicing schedules there were two schedules, I forget how it worked one was variable (for rep mobiles I guess) and one was every 20K.

You might consider the Bora equivalent as well, I wanted a Bora for the boot space, but importing a golf was significantly cheaper, but the golf residuals were stronger, which would mean it would be cheaper for you to buy a Bora now (although this was a few years ago and I haven't checked this to be true recently)

Edited by Northern Munkee on Tuesday 14th April 12:56

[FoolOnTheHill]

Aye, you will often find that a Bora of the same age/spec/condition as a Golf will be a fair bit cheaper.

Also Boras tend not to have been thrashed or chavved-up as much as Golfs, Boras tend to be driven by boring old farts like meself.

Get a Bora TDI, remap it, it'll be a nice little sleeper.

Big boot too.

[adamsky]

Make sure the belts are done and make sure the dual mass flywheel isnt rattling £1000+ from vw. Theres a seal in the doors that are prone to leak. My axle bushes are away the now.Thats the things Ive had done on mine and vw says they are all common problem!!! other than that my 130 gt tdi is great! fast with 40-55 mls to the gallon. Try and get a good spec.

Another good car is the fabia vrs?

[steve.c]

Thanks for the replies, looking for SWMBO who is VERY specific regarding spec...black, 3 door with black leather!
Thankfully after looking at a shed of an '02 plate 130 model we found another '52 plate,130bhp, 3 door in black with full black leather recaro interior, 90k full VW history and well looked after!