Mk4 Gti 1.8T buying advice
Discussion
I know this has probably been done before, but I have just used the search and it came back with two unrelevant results!
Im hopefully going to look at a 2000 'X' 1.8T on the weekend, just looking for some pointers on what to look out for other than the usual.
I have heard that Mk4's are susceptable to going through bushes fairly quickly, I guess this would manifest itself through play in the joints, clunking / squeeking?
Also what sort of lifetime does the turbo have?
The car has 78k, one owner from new and FSH so Im hoping that its going to be a tidy example that has been looked after and had the relevant belts / waterpump (should this have been changed under a recall at some point, from a plastoc impellor to metal?) done at the correct time.
Cheers.
Im hopefully going to look at a 2000 'X' 1.8T on the weekend, just looking for some pointers on what to look out for other than the usual.
I have heard that Mk4's are susceptable to going through bushes fairly quickly, I guess this would manifest itself through play in the joints, clunking / squeeking?
Also what sort of lifetime does the turbo have?
The car has 78k, one owner from new and FSH so Im hoping that its going to be a tidy example that has been looked after and had the relevant belts / waterpump (should this have been changed under a recall at some point, from a plastoc impellor to metal?) done at the correct time.
Cheers.
Cambelt every 4 years or 60K. Water pump is very cheap and to replace and may as well be done when doing the cam belt as to replace it separately the cam belt has to come off.
MAF sensors can be unreliable.
My bushes need doing on my 99 A3 1.8T and the noise is only noticable during very slow driving on uneven surfaces, which I believe is the only way to tell if they are shot.
Otherwise not a bad engine really, mines done almost 120K 11 of which are me in the last 7 months and it's been very reliable.
MAF sensors can be unreliable.
My bushes need doing on my 99 A3 1.8T and the noise is only noticable during very slow driving on uneven surfaces, which I believe is the only way to tell if they are shot.
Otherwise not a bad engine really, mines done almost 120K 11 of which are me in the last 7 months and it's been very reliable.
120k + is easy on these engines / turbo so long as looked after properly.
Make sure no juddering from the clutch as they have a dual mass flywheel that is very expensive to replace.
Rear axle beam bushes go soft. Play in rack common but is usually just inner track rod joint, not the rack. Rack seals can however go and then you are looking at rack replacement.
Be wary of climatronic a/c as known to go wrong and is VERY expensive to get sorted. Manual a/c better as even if it fails you still have normal heating.
Windows WILL drop in to the doors at some time if they have not had the metal window clip upgrade fitted - about £30 for the kit but really fiddly job and you have to be DIY minded.
There are many genuine examples around with careful owners but there are also lots in terrible condition. Interior condition is a good guide - they do not wear well if abused so a mint interior would suggest a fairly cared for car.
I have owned 2 and looked at many before buying. Still miss my last one - barely had any issues in 4 years (both windows needed doing though)
Make sure no juddering from the clutch as they have a dual mass flywheel that is very expensive to replace.
Rear axle beam bushes go soft. Play in rack common but is usually just inner track rod joint, not the rack. Rack seals can however go and then you are looking at rack replacement.
Be wary of climatronic a/c as known to go wrong and is VERY expensive to get sorted. Manual a/c better as even if it fails you still have normal heating.
Windows WILL drop in to the doors at some time if they have not had the metal window clip upgrade fitted - about £30 for the kit but really fiddly job and you have to be DIY minded.
There are many genuine examples around with careful owners but there are also lots in terrible condition. Interior condition is a good guide - they do not wear well if abused so a mint interior would suggest a fairly cared for car.
I have owned 2 and looked at many before buying. Still miss my last one - barely had any issues in 4 years (both windows needed doing though)
Edited by JKY on Thursday 27th November 12:00
Matt_N said:
Yeh, Ive had a look at GSF for parts and they dont seem to bad, used them for lots of bits for my Mk2 16v.
What sort of MPG is realistic? Low 30's?
I get about 29-33 out of mine, which is pretty good I think for the reasonable performance it gives.What sort of MPG is realistic? Low 30's?
I got my parts from Audi and the water pump was only £13.
Most things have been covered already but do be aware the waterpump was not a recall !! so check they have done it as it is a £300 labour job for a £20 part.
Other than that good engines check the engine breather pipes to the top right hand side of the cam cover, these disintegrate over time and may not be noticeable until you have a prod about.
Also if it is a three door check the door alignment they are heavy doors and prone to sagging on the joint, it will be very obvious if they are going as the door strips wont line up with the quarter panel.
Other than that good engines check the engine breather pipes to the top right hand side of the cam cover, these disintegrate over time and may not be noticeable until you have a prod about.
Also if it is a three door check the door alignment they are heavy doors and prone to sagging on the joint, it will be very obvious if they are going as the door strips wont line up with the quarter panel.
I went with a five door myself and am very happy I did as the car is I think a little too big for three doors (but also do a bit of sailing and can't be ass to have to reach miles into the back from the boot of doors).
With buying tips the one thing that I noticed more than anything was the cars with all the paperwork and the owners where nice look, drove and where much better. As said, check the cam belt's been done as this will mean the water pump should have been done. I also noticed quite a few had dash boards which rattled quite a bit. Might be worth watching for this.
Other than this just use your eyes and look at the cars front skirt (the black bit) as loads had this scratched to beggary. (I was very picky)
With buying tips the one thing that I noticed more than anything was the cars with all the paperwork and the owners where nice look, drove and where much better. As said, check the cam belt's been done as this will mean the water pump should have been done. I also noticed quite a few had dash boards which rattled quite a bit. Might be worth watching for this.
Other than this just use your eyes and look at the cars front skirt (the black bit) as loads had this scratched to beggary. (I was very picky)
Hi,
There's a great online resource http://uk-mkivs.net which will answer any Mk4 related questions you might have...I've been a memember of the site for a few years now and it's proven invaluable.
At around the mileage you're looking at, bushes will be on their way out and suspension components in general. Listen for creaks, knocks or groans at slow speeds (particularly speed bumps).
As mentioned cambelts need to be done around 60k. Feel free to contact me with any queries, as I've built up a fair amount of knowledge since owning.
One last piece of advice...there are plenty of Golfs around so be picky, also check the classified section of the aforementioned forum as the cars are generally well looked after.
Good luck
Sam
There's a great online resource http://uk-mkivs.net which will answer any Mk4 related questions you might have...I've been a memember of the site for a few years now and it's proven invaluable.
At around the mileage you're looking at, bushes will be on their way out and suspension components in general. Listen for creaks, knocks or groans at slow speeds (particularly speed bumps).
As mentioned cambelts need to be done around 60k. Feel free to contact me with any queries, as I've built up a fair amount of knowledge since owning.
One last piece of advice...there are plenty of Golfs around so be picky, also check the classified section of the aforementioned forum as the cars are generally well looked after.
Good luck
Sam
SamPet said:
Hi,
There's a great online resource http://uk-mkivs.net which will answer any Mk4 related questions you might have...I've been a memember of the site for a few years now and it's proven invaluable.
At around the mileage you're looking at, bushes will be on their way out and suspension components in general. Listen for creaks, knocks or groans at slow speeds (particularly speed bumps).
As mentioned cambelts need to be done around 60k. Feel free to contact me with any queries, as I've built up a fair amount of knowledge since owning.
One last piece of advice...there are plenty of Golfs around so be picky, also check the classified section of the aforementioned forum as the cars are generally well looked after.
Good luck
Sam
Don't trust this man he is a conman !! There's a great online resource http://uk-mkivs.net which will answer any Mk4 related questions you might have...I've been a memember of the site for a few years now and it's proven invaluable.
At around the mileage you're looking at, bushes will be on their way out and suspension components in general. Listen for creaks, knocks or groans at slow speeds (particularly speed bumps).
As mentioned cambelts need to be done around 60k. Feel free to contact me with any queries, as I've built up a fair amount of knowledge since owning.
One last piece of advice...there are plenty of Golfs around so be picky, also check the classified section of the aforementioned forum as the cars are generally well looked after.
Good luck
Sam
Hi
My 1.8t is an 02 reg with 117k on the clock, which on a commute manages between 34 and 42 mpg and other than usual suspects that others have mentioned waterpump, windows etc engine management light can come on especially with higher mileage. Some garages will just reset it but worth watching for out for. Other than that been great car to own and drive and def worth finding a good un.
My 1.8t is an 02 reg with 117k on the clock, which on a commute manages between 34 and 42 mpg and other than usual suspects that others have mentioned waterpump, windows etc engine management light can come on especially with higher mileage. Some garages will just reset it but worth watching for out for. Other than that been great car to own and drive and def worth finding a good un.
JKY said:
I always got minimum 30mpg around town and 36ish on motorways at 80. You can get 40mpg on a run if you stick to 70. I tended to just drive on the torque without reving too much though (unless I needed to!)
I've never got less than a genuine 33mpg from my 1.8T A3 on my 40 mile each way A/B road commute. If you stick to 70 (like we all do 
) you'll get closer to 40mpg, unles you've got a couple of mountain bikes on the roof then you'll get gallons to the mile 
That's true of any car of courseSamPet said:
Hi,
There's a great online resource http://uk-mkivs.net which will answer any Mk4 related questions you might have...I've been a memember of the site for a few years now and it's proven invaluable.
At around the mileage you're looking at, bushes will be on their way out and suspension components in general. Listen for creaks, knocks or groans at slow speeds (particularly speed bumps).
As mentioned cambelts need to be done around 60k. Feel free to contact me with any queries, as I've built up a fair amount of knowledge since owning.
One last piece of advice...there are plenty of Golfs around so be picky, also check the classified section of the aforementioned forum as the cars are generally well looked after.
Good luck
Sam
Cheers Sam.There's a great online resource http://uk-mkivs.net which will answer any Mk4 related questions you might have...I've been a memember of the site for a few years now and it's proven invaluable.
At around the mileage you're looking at, bushes will be on their way out and suspension components in general. Listen for creaks, knocks or groans at slow speeds (particularly speed bumps).
As mentioned cambelts need to be done around 60k. Feel free to contact me with any queries, as I've built up a fair amount of knowledge since owning.
One last piece of advice...there are plenty of Golfs around so be picky, also check the classified section of the aforementioned forum as the cars are generally well looked after.
Good luck
Sam
I did sign upto Uk MkIV's the other day and have had a look around there, found quite a well advertised car, but its in Glasgow and Im in Bristol!
Found quite a nice one on Edition 38, but I think the usual Ed38 scene tax has been applied to it and just about every other over priced car on there! Ill keep an eye on it though, as the price has been reduced once already.
I used to spend a fair amount of time on Ed38 when I had my Mk2, but its gone downhill imo, all about strecthing 165s onto 10" wheels and charging the earth for run of the mill cars / bits.
What are people's thoughts on this;
2000 'X', Black 3dr, just over 80k, 16" criss cross spoke wheels, just had cambelt changed on 10/12/08, has a good service history at regular intervals, black and grey Recaro's, climate, aftermarket CD player though.
Up for £3450.
Its only 30 miles away aswell.
Its on AT but I never know how to link direct to AT?
2000 'X', Black 3dr, just over 80k, 16" criss cross spoke wheels, just had cambelt changed on 10/12/08, has a good service history at regular intervals, black and grey Recaro's, climate, aftermarket CD player though.
Up for £3450.
Its only 30 miles away aswell.
Its on AT but I never know how to link direct to AT?
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