Golf V6 4 motion a little bit special
Discussion
So swmbo says to me you will have to get rid of that its just not practical.I bought the E46 320iSE as I needed something quickly and it was the best thing around.I actually grew to really like it but she was right a saloon was pretty impractical.
I didnt really want an estate when I knew a hatchback would do but as always I wanted something interesting.I had always loved the VW Golf starting with a Mk2 GTi in the late eighties followed by a Golf G60.Shortly after VW released the Mk3 VR6 but I never could afford one so when I saw a Mk4 V6 4motion I decided it was an itch that needed scratching.Despite having owned a Mk4 2.0 GTi which was a blancmange on wheels with less power I hoped the V6 would be better.
Having had it a couple of weeks now I feel able to offer my point of view on the 4mo.The first thing that struck me was the build quality which although good was still not as good as my 15yr old E46.On a smoothish road the cabin is fine but get on a poorly covered road and a rattle or two becomes apparent.Having said this I generally turn up the stereo which seems to resolve it and I have started to pay no attention.Talking of stereo the standard factory system does not sound as well as the BMW OEM system but its good enough.The seats are good I prefer the earlier Recaro units but these still hold you in place.Mine are leather and heated which I am so pleased about as they were not in my old beemer.
So whats it like to drive well when it gets very bumpy the suspension tends to make the car skip but it never gets too out of shape with the 4wd keeping things together.There is a set of bends which get greasy and camber towards the ditch.I have had the front and rear on different cars step out but the 4mo is planted on these bends.Ably assisted by a full set of Bridgestone A001 tyres.Having said this I still think it handles far better than my last Mk4.Is that down to the extra weight of the V6 and 4wd I dont now.My favourite bit of the car is the engine which is creamy smooth and full of grunt.I was driving home this afternoon and thinking to myself this thing is a weapon why would you need any more performance but is just my opinion.It pulls like a train in almost any gear and you learn to change gear a lot less.The gearbox though seems a little bit mismatched as its very close ratio and you dont really need it with this much torque.Again a minor thing which you get used to.The standard exhaust note although muted is still lovely.
So all in all Im really enjoying it and I think its actually quite special even though it seems very underrated.I dont think it deserves this although I guess its because of the comparisons between the R32 and the damage the Mk4 generally did to the range.
Thanks all for reading and expressing an interest.
I didnt really want an estate when I knew a hatchback would do but as always I wanted something interesting.I had always loved the VW Golf starting with a Mk2 GTi in the late eighties followed by a Golf G60.Shortly after VW released the Mk3 VR6 but I never could afford one so when I saw a Mk4 V6 4motion I decided it was an itch that needed scratching.Despite having owned a Mk4 2.0 GTi which was a blancmange on wheels with less power I hoped the V6 would be better.
Having had it a couple of weeks now I feel able to offer my point of view on the 4mo.The first thing that struck me was the build quality which although good was still not as good as my 15yr old E46.On a smoothish road the cabin is fine but get on a poorly covered road and a rattle or two becomes apparent.Having said this I generally turn up the stereo which seems to resolve it and I have started to pay no attention.Talking of stereo the standard factory system does not sound as well as the BMW OEM system but its good enough.The seats are good I prefer the earlier Recaro units but these still hold you in place.Mine are leather and heated which I am so pleased about as they were not in my old beemer.
So whats it like to drive well when it gets very bumpy the suspension tends to make the car skip but it never gets too out of shape with the 4wd keeping things together.There is a set of bends which get greasy and camber towards the ditch.I have had the front and rear on different cars step out but the 4mo is planted on these bends.Ably assisted by a full set of Bridgestone A001 tyres.Having said this I still think it handles far better than my last Mk4.Is that down to the extra weight of the V6 and 4wd I dont now.My favourite bit of the car is the engine which is creamy smooth and full of grunt.I was driving home this afternoon and thinking to myself this thing is a weapon why would you need any more performance but is just my opinion.It pulls like a train in almost any gear and you learn to change gear a lot less.The gearbox though seems a little bit mismatched as its very close ratio and you dont really need it with this much torque.Again a minor thing which you get used to.The standard exhaust note although muted is still lovely.
So all in all Im really enjoying it and I think its actually quite special even though it seems very underrated.I dont think it deserves this although I guess its because of the comparisons between the R32 and the damage the Mk4 generally did to the range.
Thanks all for reading and expressing an interest.
That looks beautifully original. Always liked the contrast of black leather and wood that VW used on the upper-spec models of this generation of Golf, I love the classy understatement of the whole package. I remember driving one of these when they were still fairly new, in fact I vaguely remember handing one over to a customer and him parting with circa £20k for it. It was probably the most impressive hatch I'd ever driven back then, this was before VW upped the game with the R32. I very nearly bought the slightly soft-core 2.3 V5 as a result of being so impressed with the 4Motion, but settled on an E36 328i Sport in the end. I guess the engine output is a little tame these days for a displacement of nearly 3.0, and naysayers will criticize it for being quite thirsty given its performance. Nonetheless this particular golf will always stick in my mind as being a superb car, and I'd love to drive one again. Your's looks a really honest example, glad you're so pleased with it.
ajb85 said:
That looks beautifully original. Always liked the contrast of black leather and wood that VW used on the upper-spec models of this generation of Golf, I love the classy understatement of the whole package. I remember driving one of these when they were still fairly new, in fact I vaguely remember handing one over to a customer and him parting with circa £20k for it. It was probably the most impressive hatch I'd ever driven back then, this was before VW upped the game with the R32. I very nearly bought the slightly soft-core 2.3 V5 as a result of being so impressed with the 4Motion, but settled on an E36 328i Sport in the end. I guess the engine output is a little tame these days for a displacement of nearly 3.0, and naysayers will criticize it for being quite thirsty given its performance. Nonetheless this particular golf will always stick in my mind as being a superb car, and I'd love to drive one again. Your's looks a really honest example, glad you're so pleased with it.
Thanks yes its completely original and during my tenure shall remain so.I love the interior its a bit like my own private gentlemens lounge.Your right maybe the power is tame but I dont think it feels it or for the road why you would need more in this size package.Regarding economy its similar to my old E46 320 auto and that was never that bad.I can get mid thirties at around the legal limit on the motorway and its a pretty decent cruiser on the motorway too.Cant blame you for buying the BMW though as they are just superb my old E46 felt solid and was just so beautifully built.I enjoyed your reminiscences thankyou,I remember one of these being moved around the yard at Motorpoint as I was picking up a Fiesta Zetec S in 2000. Made a great noise. Fell in love with the mk4 on the spot.
Bought a mk4 130 tdi. Again from Motorpoint but new on a 2003. It was a terrible thing for the first 6 months. Spent most of its time at the dealer. Ended up liking it towards the end. Then kids. Then a Passat. Had a mk5 140 Dsg. Loathed it. Then BMWs.
Bought a 1.8 mk4 non turbo petrol as a fill in whilst waiting for a new BMW.......
It finally clicked. As a (very) used car these are the finest you can buy. My mk4 was £400 and felt well put together, smooth and like it'll last forever. Chucked a year's ticket on it and sold it for £550 to a mate. I expect it'll live forever. I hope so. Red wine fuelled rant - horrendous new but as a used car they're unrivalled for the money.
Hope you enjoy it.
Bought a mk4 130 tdi. Again from Motorpoint but new on a 2003. It was a terrible thing for the first 6 months. Spent most of its time at the dealer. Ended up liking it towards the end. Then kids. Then a Passat. Had a mk5 140 Dsg. Loathed it. Then BMWs.
Bought a 1.8 mk4 non turbo petrol as a fill in whilst waiting for a new BMW.......
It finally clicked. As a (very) used car these are the finest you can buy. My mk4 was £400 and felt well put together, smooth and like it'll last forever. Chucked a year's ticket on it and sold it for £550 to a mate. I expect it'll live forever. I hope so. Red wine fuelled rant - horrendous new but as a used car they're unrivalled for the money.
Hope you enjoy it.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff