Buying Golf 1.8t

[Grumple]

Hi all,

I'm in the market to buy one of these and would just like some general advice...

Main things I'd like to know are; any obvious problems to look out for, which engine to go for (AGU etc...), any other good bits to look out for, etc etc...

Sorry it's such an open ended question, but I'm still stuck with mk2's and 3's and much of this new fangled turbo business passed me by!

Thanks in advance,
- Grumple

[raceboy]

Well a budget might help as these cars start at about £2k and rise.

But the best place for Golf advice would be...

http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/default.aspx

There is a list as long as your arm of 'usual problems'

[Grumple]

Okie dokie... I'll have a gander at that.

Budget is about £5000 - £7000

Ideally be looking for a modified version around 230bhp.

Some sellers seem to add that their 1.8t happens to be the AGU coded one, as if this is a selling point. Why is this? Is it the fly by wire version?

Thanks

[aka_kerrly]

AGU is the earlier 1997-2000 20vt which is a NON drive by wire.
the reason people use it as a selling point is becuase the AGU has different head to other 20vt engines, the AGU has a Big port head which flows better than the non big port heads common on nearly every other type of 20VT.

the AGU can be pushed to around 200-220hp on its standard Turbo but that requires more than just a remap. To go any higher you will need a KO4 or aftermarket turbo.

[missing the VR6]

I've got an AGU A3 and the big things with these and to my understanding all 20v and 20vt motors are the water pump, leeky dumpvalves and MAF sensors.
The actual pump is made ofplastic so the blades tend to break off, I had my cambelt and pump done as a matter odf course when I got the audi.
Water Pump is very cheap part £13 from VAG IIRC but the cambelt needs taking off to get to it.

[aka_kerrly]

^ true about the water pumps, Genuine VW ones an aftermarket use plastic blades. Some people talk about using metal bladed impellers as replacement but these arent always a good plan. the reason vw insist on using plastic impeller is so that IF the blades fail they will not cause damage to the engine where as metal ones certainly would.

http://uk-mkivs.net/Default.aspx is worth checking out for more info.

[Rich VRS]

with that money id be looking at either and octavia VRS or seat leon cupra with the 180 engine and then a remap which will give 210bhp, the golf 1.8t unless an anniversary engine only has the 150 with the ko3 turbo so not much room for improvement power wise, whereas the 180 engines have the ko3s which has a little more room. both the seat and skoda are cheap and will allow you to spend money on remap exhaust and fmic which will give you around 230-240 fairly easily and leave room for handling improvements to be made like rear ARB and strut braces.