Polo GTI 9n3

[stugolf]

Hi Guys,

I'm looking at one of these, I'm after something for around the 4k mark that's quite small and fun but with reasonable running costs and is well build, I did have a 6R Gti which is obviously a lot newer but had the dreaded oil issues so rejected it with VW in the end so I gauge the 1.8T in these is far more reliable and over the years VW have ironed out the issues.

I've come from a remapped BMW E90 330D so not expecting it to match that kind of performance but I would be interested in a remapped one so maybe 200bhp and 1184kg make it quite a nippy car?

Any comments greatly appreciated particularly if you own one!

[stugolf]

va1o said:

For £4k you might as well just go for a Mk5 Golf GTI? 200bhp out of the box and performance to match a stock E90 330d.

You'll get into a 2005/ early 2006 car with a few miles on the clock. There is lots of abused crap out there but if you look hard enough you should find a clean and looked after example for that money.

Its better than the Polo in every way really. Sounds arrogant but I think true.

I had a look around for a Golf Gti and couldn't find a decent one and as I've had one in the past and it wasn't quite the last word in reliability, also I do think the Polo is a little more exclusive

[stugolf]

SuperchargedVR6 said:

I had a 9N3 GTI 5 years ago and apart from torn console bushes (very very common), it was faultless. Ibiza cupra solid console bushes are a worthwhile upgrade.

It used zero oil between services and put down 165hp on a dyno day. They map out to 220ish hp before the turbo runs out of steam, which puts it into standard Edition 30 territory, but nearly 200Kg less bulk to haul around.

I disagree a MK5 GTI is a lot better. I currently have an Edition 30 and the Polo feels more chuckable and lighter on it's sneakers. The only advantage the Golf has is the independent rear suspension handles bumps round corners better, so doesn't get deflected off it's line quite so easily. The MK5 suffers more from electrical problems, uses a shed load more oil and that's before we even get to the infamous worn cam follower and chain tensioner problems. The BJX 1.8T in the Polo is a venerable unit and the best iteration of the 1.8T I've experienced.

The interior plastics aren't MK5 quality and the suspension is very choppy on broken up roads, but other than that, it's a great little car.

Edited by SuperchargedVR6 on Wednesday 1st April 14:45

Thanks for the useful feedback SuperchargedVR6, I have looked at both cars and it seems the Polo suffers slightly less issues mechanically and electrically than the Golf, particularly one for 4k