Talk to me, mk4 golf gti's

[irob]

The plan is to get off the new car, finance treadmill and buy something for cash for me and the mrs to drive about in for the next few years.

Just been to look at cars And saw 2 tidy golf gti's. Both reflex silver, similar mileage with tidy bodywork and nice interiors. The one is a 1.8t with the recaro seats, more doors and a tow bar. The other is a 2.0 3 door with smaller wheels and standard seats. both cost about £1600 but you never pay the full sticker price do you.

Just wondering what I should look for when buying this particular car. Anybody own one? And has it ever blown up/ killed you to death/ or had to re-mortgage to keep it running?

[NelsonR32]

Make sure at the very least you buy a turbo one. The 1.8 & 2.0 naturally aspirated ones will drain your soul.

[smugglersvin]

I had a 1.8 mk3 golf, totally bullet proof but as the previous poster said it was a very sedate drive, its no rocket.

[rallycross]

Buy a Focus instead Mk4 Golfs are awfull things to drive, most un-Gti like.

[nagsheadwarrior]

Surely no mk4 Golf Gti has ever done anything as interesting as blown up or killed anybody to death?

Gotta be the turbo though if you really have to have either!

[sday12]

GTis.

[nottyash]

I paid £1550 for a nice 51 plate turbo in silver last May. Had 101000 miles with 2 owners and FSH
The breather hoses had all perished, its common and an easy fix. Silicone ones off ebay. It caused engine warning lights.
Also MAF sensor went.

These remap very well, only let down is handling which is a bit rolly, and after the remap traction.
There are 2, ones AUM and one AUT I believe. Go for the later which came out 2001 as it remaps slightly better.

[prg1]

I had a mark 4, 5 door gti turbo and I thought it was a very good all around car.
Practical, comfy, quick enough and most of all very reliable. Mine had done 106k when I sold mine. I had had it for 20k with nothing more than consumables and servicing.

[ben5732]

Only ever had a mk3 gti.... Nice car when i was younger but did have the odd bit doing to it.... However if you want a bit of speed.... *points to VR6* very nice car to own.... Not so nice on the wallet though...

[Willy Nilly]

IIRC VW didn't make an official MKIV GTI. The 2litre was just a normal 2 litre everywhere else and was given GTI trim for the UK.

[Alfanatic]

I tried a Mk4 1.8T when I was starting to look for a replacement for my Mk3 16v. The interior was nice, but the Mk 4 was just too dull, even compared to a Mk 3!

Steering too light and spongy, throttle response too soggy, suspension too wallowy. It felt like it would be a bit faster than the Mk3, but if you want any degree of feedback at all in your drive, the one I drove wasn't going to cut it. Competent, high quality, utterly boring.

If the 2.0 isn't a turbo, I can't really comment. I hear they're horribly slow, but speed isn't everything.

[SooperDan]

Willy Nilly said:

IIRC VW didn't make an official MKIV GTI. The 2litre was just a normal 2 litre everywhere else and was given GTI trim for the UK.

The first GTI was just a 2.0 8v with a meagre 115bhp. They did do the 1.8T 20v with 150bhp, badged as GTI and also an Anniversary model with 180bhp, I believe.

[smugglersvin]

Think of the Golf Gti as Elvis, it started off life as a fit bloke with a lot of talent but ended up fat and heavy (mk3/4 golf) and not a patch of its former self.
I think with the mk5 they tried putting the car on a diet.

[Tom H]

Buy the R32. Little more outlay but residuals good and probably more fun. (never driven a GTi).

I know some people hate them and think too slow and heavy and boring. But I enjoy mine

[Spanna]

SooperDan said:

Willy Nilly said:

IIRC VW didn't make an official MKIV GTI. The 2litre was just a normal 2 litre everywhere else and was given GTI trim for the UK.

The first GTI was just a 2.0 8v with a meagre 115bhp. They did do the 1.8T 20v with 150bhp, badged as GTI and also an Anniversary model with 180bhp, I believe.

All of this is correct.

I had a MK4 Turbo, as said the only thing that lets it down is the way it handles. After a remap it was pretty brisk too. Mine had the heated leather Recaros which are brilliant. Sold mine last year with 80K on it for £2200.

[rumple]

rallycross said:

Buy a Focus instead Mk4 Golfs are awfull things to drive, most un-Gti like.

Agree, mk4 Golf is just an awful drive in every respect.

[rumple]

smugglersvin said:

Think of the Golf Gti as Elvis, it started off life as a fit bloke with a lot of talent but ended up fat and heavy (mk3/4 golf) and not a patch of its former self.
I think with the mk5 they tried putting the car on a diet.

Best post of the thread really

[Jw Vw]

NelsonR32 said:

Make sure at the very least you buy a turbo one. The 1.8 & 2.0 naturally aspirated ones will drain your soul.

1.8T is the only option if you want a 'real' MK4 GTI.

[Jw Vw]

rumple said:

smugglersvin said:

Think of the Golf Gti as Elvis, it started off life as a fit bloke with a lot of talent but ended up fat and heavy (mk3/4 golf) and not a patch of its former self.
I think with the mk5 they tried putting the car on a diet.

Best post of the thread really

Have to say I agree with it though!

[smugglersvin]

Jw Vw said:

rumple said:

smugglersvin said:

Think of the Golf Gti as Elvis, it started off life as a fit bloke with a lot of talent but ended up fat and heavy (mk3/4 golf) and not a patch of its former self.
I think with the mk5 they tried putting the car on a diet.

Best post of the thread really

Have to say I agree with it though!

Yes the Mk1 Gti was 1957 jailhouse rock, blue suede shoes etc,
The Mk2 Gti was the 1968 comeback tour.
The Mk3 was 1977 fat and found dead on a toilet.