How do you rate the Golf Mk IV as a daily snotter?
Discussion
We've had a lot of Golfs, including two Mk 4s, currently got a high-miles 150PS GTI diesel which is nice enough but we have spent a lot of money on it. Previous Mk 4 was a TDI 110PS auto which we sold at 174k miles, that was ok though again far from perfect. What would you expect though with old cars? Between these two we had a 1.6 Focus which was (IMO) far nicer to drive than the Golf and that cost us nowt. We've given that to the mother in law. I miss it still.
Blackpuddin said:
Aye of course but you'll pay big bucks for anything desirable in terms of mileage and age. There's no such thing as a good, cheap Golf IMO.
I think if you go chasing a low mileage car you probably will pay over the odds yes, but to get something well looked after shouldn't mean paying big bucks. Just need to look carefully through the private ads where the quality will likely be better than cheap trade cars. Had our 02 plate Golf TDi 1.9 for 12 years, it was low miles when I bought it and we have serviced it very regularly.
I have had absolutely zero trouble with it at all, in fact Its still on the original battery and exhaust. It gives 45 to 55 mpg depending on who's driving (mrs is lighter than me) and I don't think I have even replaced a bulb yet.
Bought with under 20k miles and now up 96k.
Kept clean and looked after.
I have had absolutely zero trouble with it at all, in fact Its still on the original battery and exhaust. It gives 45 to 55 mpg depending on who's driving (mrs is lighter than me) and I don't think I have even replaced a bulb yet.
Bought with under 20k miles and now up 96k.
Kept clean and looked after.
Thanks chaps - your advice is appreciated. Any ideas on which engines wear the miles and years better than others?
I'm going to look at the Focus too on the strength of the above. Thinking about it, a good friend of mine has run a 2.0 litre petrol Focus since the mid 90's and it seems to have been utterly bulletproof with nothing more than routine servicing. It's just always been there!
I'm after a basic daily that starts, runs and gets me from A to B. I'm fed up with sitting in traffic jams in my E46 M3, especially now that the weather is about to plummet and the roads are going to be caked in crud and salt. I love that car and it's just a waste, so I've decided to garage my E46 for nice days. Best car I've ever had and she's a keep
I'm going to look at the Focus too on the strength of the above. Thinking about it, a good friend of mine has run a 2.0 litre petrol Focus since the mid 90's and it seems to have been utterly bulletproof with nothing more than routine servicing. It's just always been there!
I'm after a basic daily that starts, runs and gets me from A to B. I'm fed up with sitting in traffic jams in my E46 M3, especially now that the weather is about to plummet and the roads are going to be caked in crud and salt. I love that car and it's just a waste, so I've decided to garage my E46 for nice days. Best car I've ever had and she's a keep
Our 2003 GT TDI 130 has today passed its seventh MOT in our hands. Advisory on front pads which I knew about (saving it for the annual service at the end of Jan), otherwise a clean sheet. Not bad for a 140,000 mile car that gets serviced once a year, but otherwise pretty neglected.
It doesn't do much mileage these days due to a change of circumstances, but because it's been so good, we have hung on to it. In 60,000 miles:
A clutch and DMF kit (came in at well under £500 fitted thanks to mates rate labour and an ECP voucher code).
A CV joint gaiter
One pair of front lower suspension arms (actually only the front bushes had gone, but it was cheaper to replace the complete arms.
A dipstick tube (common fault - a whopping four quid and 5 mins work)
Rainwater ingress in the past few months that's proved a bit of a swine to fix. Think we are there now, mind.
And that has literally been it outside of scheduled servicing and consumables. The clutch and DMF were the originals at 120k, so you could argue wear and tear on those too, rather than a "failure" as such. It's been a staggeringly reliable car. Yet to fail to start, or let us down in any way.
I have heard of people having total nightmares with these cars, but for us it's been exactly what you would like to think you'd see from a VW. Dependable, well made, seemingly goes on forever.
The 130 PD engine is a really nice match for this car. Bags of lazy, easily accessible shove, and great economy. Also widely regarded as one of the most reliable diesels of its era.
It doesn't do much mileage these days due to a change of circumstances, but because it's been so good, we have hung on to it. In 60,000 miles:
A clutch and DMF kit (came in at well under £500 fitted thanks to mates rate labour and an ECP voucher code).
A CV joint gaiter
One pair of front lower suspension arms (actually only the front bushes had gone, but it was cheaper to replace the complete arms.
A dipstick tube (common fault - a whopping four quid and 5 mins work)
Rainwater ingress in the past few months that's proved a bit of a swine to fix. Think we are there now, mind.
And that has literally been it outside of scheduled servicing and consumables. The clutch and DMF were the originals at 120k, so you could argue wear and tear on those too, rather than a "failure" as such. It's been a staggeringly reliable car. Yet to fail to start, or let us down in any way.
I have heard of people having total nightmares with these cars, but for us it's been exactly what you would like to think you'd see from a VW. Dependable, well made, seemingly goes on forever.
The 130 PD engine is a really nice match for this car. Bags of lazy, easily accessible shove, and great economy. Also widely regarded as one of the most reliable diesels of its era.
Gaz. said:
Lower front valance fell off, waterpump failed twice, temp sender died, camshaft position sensor failed, thermostat failed, switch inside gearbox for reversing lights failed, most of the dash lights worked intermittently, the OBD port cover clips snapped off because of overuse. 3 of the 4 seat handles either broke, came off or snapped (3 door car). 3 window motors died, 2 windows came off their runners, brake lines corroded, pipe for the rear washer jet broke apart squirting fluid inside the tailgate iirc. It was scrapped in 2011 at 11 years old.
More problems with that car than all my others put together.
Oh my god! Most of what you listed are common faults, or common to all old cars. All are a piece of piss to fix, even if you have two left hands.More problems with that car than all my others put together.
OP go for a 20vT GTI, or the 130PD TDI, those are the pick of the engines. Get yourself a copy of VAGCOM, a set of spanners and off you go. MK4's will break, but very rarely in a catastrophic way.
The good thing about them is the fully galvanized bodyshell, so rust should not be an issue. The interiors are also surprisingly good. I kind of miss the pretty blue and red glow of the instrument panel.
EDIT: Also try to find one with proper Recaro seats, they are better than the sports seats that replaced them.
Edited by xxChrisxx on Monday 19th January 19:38
I ran a V reg Bora 1.9 110 tdi for six years. It was killed in Jan 2010 by an idiotic banned driver who shouldn't have been on the road.
It never left me stranded at the roadside and only had a few niggles. The brake light switch went, the cam belt tensioner started wearing every year and a half (but was fixed for free due to VW warranty), the boot was getting a bit temperamental and that was it.
It was very economical, had a nice cabin and had plenty of power for overtakes etc. I think that it would still be going now if it wasn't written off.
It never left me stranded at the roadside and only had a few niggles. The brake light switch went, the cam belt tensioner started wearing every year and a half (but was fixed for free due to VW warranty), the boot was getting a bit temperamental and that was it.
It was very economical, had a nice cabin and had plenty of power for overtakes etc. I think that it would still be going now if it wasn't written off.
Mine was a utter dog cost (Mk4 GTI 150) and didn't pay low money and was a sub 100k 3 owner from new car.
Personally would think a Mk1 Focus would be a better bet the diesel Mk4s are okay if find a nice one but with low miles paying a pretty high price and at that point they is better stuff for the money.
Also someone mentioned they don't rust they do the back wheel arches where starting to go come resale and also had to replace the front subframe as it had rotted through nearly. 1.8T engine needs the oil pickup pipe cleaning every other oil change otherwise it will clog and it will kill your bottom end common problem so if do go for one whip the sump of asap as a 2hr job can save you £££s
To be honest Focus has a simple n/a engine and is a lot better drive than the Golf also prefer the driving position as well mine was pretty well specified with the heated recaros climate etc... but still had a few squeaks and rattles etc and to be honest was not really much better than a Mk1 Focus whilst being far worse to drive.
Personally would think a Mk1 Focus would be a better bet the diesel Mk4s are okay if find a nice one but with low miles paying a pretty high price and at that point they is better stuff for the money.
Also someone mentioned they don't rust they do the back wheel arches where starting to go come resale and also had to replace the front subframe as it had rotted through nearly. 1.8T engine needs the oil pickup pipe cleaning every other oil change otherwise it will clog and it will kill your bottom end common problem so if do go for one whip the sump of asap as a 2hr job can save you £££s
To be honest Focus has a simple n/a engine and is a lot better drive than the Golf also prefer the driving position as well mine was pretty well specified with the heated recaros climate etc... but still had a few squeaks and rattles etc and to be honest was not really much better than a Mk1 Focus whilst being far worse to drive.
Getragdogleg said:
Had our 02 plate Golf TDi 1.9 for 12 years, it was low miles when I bought it and we have serviced it very regularly.
I have had absolutely zero trouble with it at all, in fact Its still on the original battery and exhaust. It gives 45 to 55 mpg depending on who's driving (mrs is lighter than me) and I don't think I have even replaced a bulb yet.
Bought with under 20k miles and now up 96k.
Kept clean and looked after.
buy this one it seemsI have had absolutely zero trouble with it at all, in fact Its still on the original battery and exhaust. It gives 45 to 55 mpg depending on who's driving (mrs is lighter than me) and I don't think I have even replaced a bulb yet.
Bought with under 20k miles and now up 96k.
Kept clean and looked after.
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