2002 Mk 4 GOLF GT TDI PD (150) Reliability

[smiiithy]

Hi all,

I'm looking at a 2002 VOLKSWAGEN Golf 1.9 GT TDi 150 with 151k on the clock. It's had 2 owners, Volkswagen service print out and cambelt changed at 121,000 - but no record of a service since. It also has a cracked wing mirror on the driver side but the dealer says he doesn’t have time to get fixed before I want to view it at the weekend and is asking for £30 for a replacement, parts only. Would this service interval be enough to put you off? Asking price is £2,985.

I just want to know those of you with a Mk 4 TDi how many miles have you done and have you had many problems? Have you had to spend much on your car other than basic servicing and maintenance costs?

Cheers,

Mike

[AdrianR]

Check my profile for history on my TDI 130 - basically it's been fine.

150s have some "known issues" with camshafts and if it has climate then read up on that too.

AdrianR

[phumy]

I owned a GTi PD 150 for 4 years i had it when it had 34k miles on it, i sold it when it had 90k on it to my son whos now got about 115k on it, its been superb apart from the canshaft which went at around 60k. But once VW changed that its been great. The usual brakes and wishbone arms, tyres oh and the fans on the rad.

I was still getting 55MPG at 90k on the motorway runs, it never burnt excessive oil, although i must admit i only used VW special PD oil for it especially after the camshaft episode. Lovely car with adecent amount of torque. One thing i would check, is when the dampers and springs were change, if at all, if not get them done it will transform the car.

One more problem i remember is the rubber turbo hoses used to blow off of the metal pipes, due to the boost, however i found that the holding clips had worn, (not a good system) once done they never blew off again.

[iluvmercs]

My brother has been running a SEAT Leon Cupra diesel (Same 150bhp engine). It was used daily until May this year when he bought a new car. 93,800 miles covered and there hasn't been any major problems with the engine. However, his gearbox was replaced under warrenty at 50k miles, but that isn't a common issue, AFAIK.

[plug]Incidently his car is for sale - CLICK HERE for details [/plug]

Darren

Edited by iluvmercs on Thursday 10th December 13:53

[RetroTed]

Brilliant cars I had mine for 12 months and it never missed a beat, fast and reliable IMO















Until I wrote it off

[smiiithy]

What about if you were looking at buying a car that you really liked the look of but it didn't have any dealer service history for the past 30K? The dealer say the customer had it serviced at a local garage but it's not clear if they have any reciepts.
It must have had an oil change or two because surely it would be running dry by now. I'm very keen to go for this car but it's 2 hours away and I may not be able to go until Sunday so will HPI it on the day.

[MElliottUK]

Mines on 137,000 and its just has oil (505.01 PD) and a temp sensor

[Northern Munkee]

I have 2002 Mk 4 130 on a 168K from new. Nothing more than a bit oil blowing through the the turbo, which given the thinness of the oil, not unexpected, and I had been warned.

Nothing has gone wrong.

Was toying part ex-ing, on a new Skoda Superb 2.0 170 Elegance, was pleasantly surprised to be offered £2.5K as a part ex, I was thinking with those miles it would be worthless, so was pleased, until I spoke to my mechanic (just serviced) who said it would retail nearer £4K. Puzzled, he told me that those in the trade know the 1.9 TDI PD motor is virtually bomb proof if properly attended to, and good for 250K no problem, and when I mentioned a 2.0 A4, A6, Superb, he said the 2.0 TDI does not have the same reputation as the 1.9. And he wouldn't have one, he of course was driving a 130 Passat.

Can't say it is my opinon cos I don't know, but now I'm toying with a 3.0 V6 TDI again, which my mechanic chum said, now that would be worth chopping the Golf for otherwise I might as well keep it, "costs you nothing" now.

1.9 may not be as refined as some, however I've not found them unrefined at all.

[imotec]

I have got a golf gt tdi 130 dark blue picked up for cheap too just turned 108k runs perfect just serviced it too and it only cost me £30 from a mate from sdl i got oil air filter and cleaner what you put in the engine before you drain the oil thats about it really by the sounds personally i wouldnt get that car from the dealer something sounds strange and if he's not prepared to fix it walk away good luck mate

[imotec]

I have got a golf gt tdi 130 dark blue picked up for cheap too just turned 108k runs perfect just serviced it too and it only cost me £30 from a mate from sdl i got oil air filter and cleaner what you put in the engine before you drain the oil thats about it really by the sounds personally i wouldnt get that car from the dealer something sounds strange and if he's not prepared to fix it walk away good luck mate