To buy or not to buy? Golf mk4

To buy or not to buy? Golf mk4

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Discussion

passport010

Original Poster:

21 posts

34 months

Tuesday 18th May 2021
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Hi all

First post here for me. Long time home mechanic and reader of various forums - posting now as I need some advice!

I have been looking for a decent Golf mk4 TDI for approaching a year - for around the £2-3k mark. Hard to find - especially local to me (Kent). Have been to look at a lot.

I went yesterday to look at one and it's one of the better ones - I think - or maybe I'm just getting tired of trying to find the right one.

Found on eBay - reg RX02KBY. Great bodywork, FSH, looks really good on the MOT history. 101k miles which from looking at the condition and history of the car I think is genuine.

The downsides: it has a modified (poss straight pipe) exhaust. An oil leak between engine and gearbox, and was puffing a bit of blue smoke when revving. I was unable to drive it as it's SORN. It was also quite oily from approx below the line of the glow plugs. Engine sounds good and starts good. Recently had clutch and flywheel done.

It's basically been well looked after by an older man for all it's life, then for 2 years his son owned it and put the loud exhaust on... need I say more!

Would you buy this for around £2k? Is it likely that 2 years of thrashing about by a young lad have done in the engine?

Background - I've owned a couple of mk4 TDIs in the past - I find them generally a joy to own although I don't buy into the "bulletproof TDI" talk - I know they have their faults. I'm happy to spend a bit of time and money doing repairs but get scared off by things like cracked piston rings and valve stem seals!

Thanks for the advice! Chris

rickygolf83

287 posts

160 months

Friday 21st May 2021
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The thrashing keeps these cars alive and running cleanly! My wife has ruined mine taking it to work in 30mph limits instead of her 1.8t while i worked at home :-( they need worked up through the gears regularly to stop the vnt mech on turbo getting sticky and egr clogging...

I'd be concerned about the leak between the box and the block. Will most likely be main seal, could be clutch slave... either or box out to fix... or if its not excessive top up as required!

Ryyy

1,452 posts

34 months

Friday 28th May 2021
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Im no mike brewer but It seems rather steep.i regularly check the old auto trader and selling sites to look at the market because the end of this year will see me buy a mk4 golf...hopefullysmile

Tbf I've just checked now and theres not many 'low' mileage diesels that are more the 1k mark than the 2k. Still think it's a lot of money for what you're getting. I wanted a 1.9 tdi but it might be a petrol for me or a different car :s

Edited by Ryyy on Friday 28th May 22:34

phil y

548 posts

121 months

Friday 28th May 2021
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An 02 plate car is knocking on 20 years old.

There are high miles Mk6 TDIs, 10 years newer, for under 3k.

I know which I would buy.

passport010

Original Poster:

21 posts

34 months

Friday 28th May 2021
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Thanks for the replies. I think the price is about right compared to other similar cars. A good low mileage tdi is very rare now!

Currently got a 1.6 petrol mk4 Golf and not enjoying it at all. Rough to drive by comparison. And had many issues with it. The TDI is so much better - so get that if you can!

Unconvinced by the reliability of newer VWs. Or maybe a better way to put it - the cost of putting them right when they do go wrong. What’s the 1.6tdi like?

Mk6 Golf also just doesn’t have the character of a mk4, to me.

bearman68

4,642 posts

131 months

Friday 28th May 2021
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phil y said:
An 02 plate car is knocking on 20 years old.

There are high miles Mk6 TDIs, 10 years newer, for under 3k.

I know which I would buy.
Well don't keep it secret. What would you buy?

phil y

548 posts

121 months

Friday 28th May 2021
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passport010 said:
Unconvinced by the reliability of newer VWs. Or maybe a better way to put it - the cost of putting them right when they do go wrong. What’s the 1.6tdi like?
Build quality is good, not sure about the 1.6 but I have a 2.0 TDI in a SEAT with 172k miles, trouble free.

bearman68

4,642 posts

131 months

Friday 28th May 2021
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The 1.6 is ever more rubbish than the 2.0

aka_kerrly

12,415 posts

209 months

Friday 28th May 2021
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passport010 said:
Mk6 Golf also just doesn’t have the character of a mk4, to me.
Very few people have complimented the MK4, a Mk5 Golf is a much better car especially for £2-3k, there are even some 1.6td mk6s around

If you must have a MK4 there is a 1 owner 63k 1.9pd Se on auto trader for £1675 ...get it before a dealer has it optimistically up for £3999laugh

phil y

548 posts

121 months

Friday 28th May 2021
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bearman68 said:
Well don't keep it secret. What would you buy?
Cat S 116D

bearman68

4,642 posts

131 months

Friday 28th May 2021
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phil y said:
Cat S 116D
rofl

passport010

Original Poster:

21 posts

34 months

Friday 28th May 2021
quotequote all
aka_kerrly said:
passport010 said:
Mk6 Golf also just doesn’t have the character of a mk4, to me.
Very few people have complimented the MK4, a Mk5 Golf is a much better car especially for £2-3k, there are even some 1.6td mk6s around

If you must have a MK4 there is a 1 owner 63k 1.9pd Se on auto trader for £1675 ...get it before a dealer has it optimistically up for £3999laugh
Seen it! I reckon from the MOT history it’s been clocked.

Ryyy

1,452 posts

34 months

Saturday 29th May 2021
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You're right with the character of the mk4 golf, they lost there way after that unfortunately. I prefer diesels all round and would love an e46 but the car is too be a shared run around and theres no way she'd drive that hehe

In relation too the reliability of the 1.6 tdi,I daily a 13 plate 1.6 tdi caddy and it's been the best thing I've had. Had it year and half now and year one was expensive with an injector and EGR valve going so could say not the best but with my car history the fact I'm not in the garage every other month means it's a winner cool

Ryyy

1,452 posts

34 months

Saturday 29th May 2021
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Also with costs those 2 plus brakes and pads all round saw me spend a grand in a year, still a cheap year in my car history laugh

aka_kerrly

12,415 posts

209 months

Saturday 29th May 2021
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passport010 said:
Seen it! I reckon from the MOT history it’s been clocked.
Sneaky, I didn't do any checks, I had a quick browse because I was intrigued to see what people are asking for them. I'm still certain that 2000+ is getting a bit much for a MK4 diesel in less it is something truly spectacular in terms of being a high spec pd130/150 or anniversary edition

passport010

Original Poster:

21 posts

34 months

Wednesday 2nd June 2021
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Thanks for your replies. Decided to give this one a miss in the end - didn’t feel right and thinking I’m ready for something different. I test drove a Volvo v70 d5 yesterday and it was excellent.

I do think the mk4 Golf is still such a desirable car though - for its age. Charming? I challenge anyone to spot a more common pre-2003 car on the roads!

Dr G

15,159 posts

241 months

Friday 4th June 2021
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The problem is that their reputation for toughness and frugality means that most are now owned by skinflints who ruin them.

Ryyy

1,452 posts

34 months

Friday 4th June 2021
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Ooo another nice car, Get a post up on whatever you settle with anyway rotate

passport010

Original Poster:

21 posts

34 months

Sunday 20th June 2021
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V70 bought! And loving it already. Thanks for replies, posting shortly in the Volvo area to say hello smile

Ryyy

1,452 posts

34 months

Monday 21st June 2021
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You gonna get a moose ferrai sticker on it?hehe