Golf Mk4 V5 or V6...or another?

[Toffeemrd]

This is my first foray into PH - apologies if this is in the wrong section, couldn't see any specific buying queries section on the forum.

I'm after some opinions (preferably based on experience!) on my next choice of car. I've been looking at a Mk4 Golf V5, but I keep looking at the V6 too. The economy and four wheel drive system (more to go wrong?) are the two things swaying me back to the V5 at the moment.

I have up to £3k, but ideally looking to spend no more than £2,500. It needs 5 doors due to kids and I want something solid that isn't going to be in and out of a garage. From my own point of view, I want something that's going to give me a smile from time to time on he road too (current co car iwhich is going s a Seat Ibiza FR 2.0TDI)!

Happy to consider something bigger, but hatchback is probably my best option. The car has to be fairly easy to resale (as I may be looking to shift it on within 6 months depending on work), hence I thought the golf would be a good buy.

Thanks for viewing and appreciate all replies and views on this!

Mark

[vx220]

V5 and V6 engines sound good, but mkiv platform isn't fun, the dullest of all Golfs

[Countdown]

vx220 said:

V5 and V6 engines sound good, but mkiv platform isn't fun, the dullest of all Golfs

I would second that. I've only driven the V5 and it seemed a bit...meh.

And whoever badged the 2.0 115bhp a GTi should be taken outside at dawn and severely shot.

[Toffeemrd]

Countdown said:

I would second that. I've only driven the V5 and it seemed a bit...meh.

And whoever badged the 2.0 115bhp a GTi should be taken outside at dawn and severely shot.

Thanks all for the replies, seen a couple of posts re the handling. Current Ibiza is fun and responsive, so it may be a deal breaker if it's that poor. @Countdown - agree 100% on the point about a 115bhp GTi!!!

[Codswallop]

I had a Toledo V5 170 and really liked the car.

For me a charismatic engine is more important than 10/10s on the limit handling, so the V5 fitted the bill nicely. Besides, handling wasn't that bad - all family cars are much of a muchness at the end of the day in daily driving... would happily recommend you try one (and then fit a sports exhaust).

[Toffeemrd]

C7 JFW said:

I own a mk4 V6 4Motion. The V5 with FWD wasn't even considered.

Downsides
- It isn't motoring nirvana in the same way plenty of other cars are.
- It feels front end heavy and I look forward to fitting an LSD to try and make things better
Upsides
- Fuel economy is actually alright for a 2.8 litre petrol engine that's 15 years old
- Build quality is brilliant and thought was put into most things

I've put together a thread about my experience here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/GASSING/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Thanks Codswallop - will give that some thought.

@C7FRW - cheers for that insight, loved your thread and that has certainly made me consider the V6 more as a result. I suppose I'm a little wary due to the 4x4 system and any potential costly issues - I'm assuming they are fairly robust however being a VW unit? I doubt I'll be doing huge miles, so the MPG doesn't look far off the V5 from the other posts. Scratching my head now!!

[ManicMunky]

Countdown said:

I would second that. I've only driven the V5 and it seemed a bit...meh.

And whoever badged the 2.0 115bhp a GTi should be taken outside at dawn and severely shot.

Everyone I've seen had "Golf Highline" on the build sticker in the boot... I'd wager that the GTI badges were added at the dealer

[Usget]

Don't forget the A3. I've picked up a 2002 A3 1.8T Sport for peanuts, and they will easily remap to >190bhp, bringing them easily into line with the 4Motion (given that they weigh considerably less).

Nowhere near as nice a noise, though, and probably just as thirsty!

[Toffeemrd]

C7 JFW said:

The 4x4 System only (so far as I've read) have two known faults. The clutch mechanism that engages the rear drive element have in some instances had a seal fail allowing fluid from the clutch to move into a different compartment and I believe some people have had errors on the control unit that decides when the rear wheels are engaged.

I've only seen a handful of these issues reported on forums though.

Sorry to pick your brains @C7JFW, although ideally I'm looking at one under 100,000, I would assume the engine blocks are very strong - are there any major points to check before buying or decent guides online?

[Hudson]

I ran one for 3 years, i don't think i gelled with it because i was expecting a performance car and it's more akin to a cruiser in a small package. There are actually 2 versions of the 2.8, the later one has individual coils instead of a coil pack and i think it has exhaust VVT making it slightly more economical.

In a nutshell they sound great, they're comfortable, the interior is nice, handle like st and are not actually that quick - handling can be improved with aftermarket bits but ride quality will suffer and like i said, it's a cruiser not a hot hatch.

http://uk-mkivs.net/forums was a great resource for when stuff broke - for me it was rear window motor, clutch pedal (thanks RAC) and various sensors.

[BGarside]

I recently read a period magazine group test of the Golf V6 4-motion with the Audi S3 and Subaru Impreza of the day. The Golf got a really good write up, for having a great sounding engine, classy interior, good handling 'up to eight tenths', traction and comfort for longer trips.

The V5 would be lighter, simpler, more economical and probably not that much slower, but make sure you get the 170hp version and not the earlier 150hp (changeover was around 2001 IIRC). It's also a nice-sounding engine.

I guess the best combination of economy and performance would be a 1.8T, but they are perhaps more likely to have been thrashed than a V5 or V6.

The Mk 4 handling is nowt special but plenty of bits are available to improve this, e.g: solid front wishbone bushes and uprated ARBs.

Also consider the Seat Leon Mark 1 and Audi A3, though I think the latter are a bit smaller inside than the Golf (according to the group test). I had a lot of niggling problems with my Leon so can't recommend one from personal experience.

[MrB.]

I think it genuinely depends on what you are after. Obviously the general consensus of opinion would dictate that the mkIV Golf is the least "hot hatch" of all the Golfs, but then I had a 1.8T as a company car back in 2000, and it was actually a really pleasant car to drive. Solid, reliable, reasonably quick, and lets be clear, its still a Golf, which is probably the one car that transcends all classes of motorists. I have no experience of the V5, but I have driven a few V6s and have a colleague with one who can't say a bad word against it. I bought a Volvo C30 T5, but I wanted a fast, comfortable small hatchback, not a B-road hot hatch with the last degree of handling finesse. The C30 ticks all the boxes I need car for, but is limited by 3 doors if you are using it as a family car. If, however, you do want a fast practical hot hatch in a similar vain to the Golf, I can wholeheartedly recommend a SEAT Leon Cupra R (225). Probably the most surprising car I have ever owned. I bought mine as a stop-gap after I sold a Porsche, and I can honestly say that it has been one of the best cars I ever owned. My partner had one also as her company car in 2005, and she too swears blind by how much fun they are. I'd seriously consider it if you want VW Group build quality, practicality and still have a superb performance car.

(Otherwise, by the Golf V6.....)