The normally-aspirated 1.8-litre engine had been struggling to keep pace with rivals so when the Mk3 Golf GTI arrived in 1992 it sported a larger-capacity 2.0-litre eight-valve lump delivering 115hp. However the car's weight had increased once again - so performance was actually down on the Mk2, with a 10.1-second 0-62mph time.
No GTI great but it still sold well
Once again VW looked to a 16-valve head to release more power, launching its 150hp 2.0-litre 16V GTI in 1993. These breached 62mph in a more respectable 8.3 seconds. ABS became standard in 1994, whilst a special-edition eight-valve GTI Colour Concept followed in 1995 and a limited edition GTI Anniversary in 1996 - with 600 eight-valve UK cars and 150 16-valve 150hp examples.
But rival hot hatches increasingly offered greater performance, and this affected VW GTI sales to a degree - with the Mk3 selling 'just' 39,766 examples in the UK. That's was still a very healthy figure, but a lot less than the Mk2.
It was left to the 1994-1997 2.9-litre VR6 Golf to fly VW's performance flag - with plenty of power and torque and a 150mph top speed, it was an impressive beast - but pricey. Total Golf GTI UK sales by now had pipped 125,000.
Prices reflect unloved status
"Sadly the Mk3 is not so popular now," Jody reflects, "But the VR6 was undoubtedly the best of the Mk3 Golfs - although technically not a GTI. And a limited return on naturally aspirated tuning options has meant that - as with the two earlier incarnations - the 1.8T transplant is once again a popular choice."
Even by the standards of the time the Mk3's handling and roadholding weren't brilliant. "The Mk3 was a big disappointment when it came out and still doesn't feel like it should carry the GTI logo," says Shaun Hollamby at AMD. "The VR6 sounds great though, and was the star of the Mk3 range."
But current limited demand has an upside - according to Rupert Pontin, Chief Car Editor at Glass's. "VW Golf GTI Mk3 depreciation was bottomed out and values are now upwardly mobile." Time to invest in a Mk3 perhaps?
Buy if: You're looking to sell the car on at a profit in a couple of year's time, especially the VR6
Don't buy if: You're looking for the ultimate in style, performance or tuning potential
We found: 1998 VW Golf GTI 5dr, black, service history, 140K miles, £1,995
Price Guide
Poor: Under £995
Good: £1,295 to £2,995
A1: £3,000+
Special Editions: Even Colour Concept, GTI Anniversary and GTI Cabriolets struggle to better £3,000, VR6 up to £8,495