golf mk4 tdi 150 buying advice

[steebo888]

Hi guys

Just wandering if you can give me pointers on this as am looking to buy one very soon in which i have been to see a few.

apart from the ARL engine code for the 150 what else do i need to look for?

what problems anyone have had with these cars?


apart from cambelt is there anything else that needs doing?


thanks in advance

[phumy]

Hi steebo

Ive had one for 2 1/2 years now and overall it has been a great car in every respect, however it does have its down fall, in that the ARL engines are notorious for eating the original camshaft and lifters, mine did it and it wasnt until i did some research and found out on other golf websites its a common occurrance. Fortunately i had kept up full dealer service history for my car and argued the toss with them after they told me what was wrong and it would cost me the best part of 1700GBP to put right. I did the research told VW where to go and told them its inherant in the model, they asked me to pay 200GBP cost for parts and they would pay the rest as a good will gesture. The only other work done on it is regular serving, cam belt at 60k and discs all round at 70k, and a faulty brake switch.

On the plus side, the torque for this car is awesome, economy is excellent at around 55mpg. Apart from all of that its a great car. Just make sure if you have one that it has Full Dealer History and if you have the camshaft problem do as i did. Forgot to mention, whist mine was in the garage having the camshaft and lifters cahnged another turned up in the garage with exactly the same problem, he , unfortunately didnt have FVWSH and was charged the whole whack as they argued he could guarantee the oil type it had been using, where as i could.

[Marcus2526]

Hi, I had mine for some time, the only really problem I had was the turbo. But I found a great place to buy the part and my local indie replaced it. The car was great, good econmy and I loved the torque. Make sure you buy a well serviced car and it looks like it's been looked after.

[Ranger 6]

Check the build sticker in the boot and service book. There are a few of these that are imports which don't have the full UK spec sports suspension.

[steebo888]

thanks guys for your input.
al post pics as soon as i buy it

Edited by steebo888 on Wednesday 5th December 11:51

[David911RSR]

steebo888 said:

thanks guys for your input.
al post pics as soon as i buy it

Edited by steebo888 on Wednesday 5th December 11:51

I had one from new and only parted with it in Sept. Many dealers/private punters are asking huge money for these cars. For reference, my car was 5 door in Indigo Blue. 40,000miles, one owner car with a full history. FSH, recent tyres and brakes all round. Climate, Auto wipers/rear view mirror and winter pack. The car was in fantastic condition. Trade wise, it was worth 6,500. Privately, I sold it for 7,400.

Check the discs and pads and make sure the car has a full services history. Brake fluid needs changing every 2 years. Cam belt at 4 years. I would ensure the water pump belts have also been changed.

[phumy]

David911RSR said:

steebo888 said:

thanks guys for your input.
al post pics as soon as i buy it

Edited by steebo888 on Wednesday 5th December 11:51

I had one from new and only parted with it in Sept. Many dealers/private punters are asking huge money for these cars. For reference, my car was 5 door in Indigo Blue. 40,000miles, one owner car with a full history. FSH, recent tyres and brakes all round. Climate, Auto wipers/rear view mirror and winter pack. The car was in fantastic condition. Trade wise, it was worth 6,500. Privately, I sold it for 7,400.

Check the discs and pads and make sure the car has a full services history. Brake fluid needs changing every 2 years. Cam belt at 4 years. I would ensure the water pump belts have also been changed.

Cambelt at 60k.

Where are the water pump belts? The water pump is driven by the cambelt.

[jabanis]

amazing cars mate, but prefer the bora, better handling, there one there 4 sale, much better priced than golfs, 54 plate, black, xenons, cream leathers, sat nav, the full works, fvwsh, 178 vw alloys, 8500!!!! absolute bargaon, u can get one for same spec same price same mileage golf on o2 plate for that much!!!! contact me if ur interested!!! also got an a4, on classified! have a look

[steebo888]

put a deposit down on one i found.

been to look at about 6 now and this one is by far the best.

its got 99k but has full vw service, 12 month mot and serviced for me.
its high mileage but is immaculate as it is an ex company car so is motorway miles and has been well looked after and maintained.
i've bought ex company cars before with high mileage and have never had problems.
150 tdi black 3 door on 02 for 6k. 3 month warranty as well but i will also buy a 12 month warranty for £300 which covers £7000 repairs for the whole year.

al post the pics when i get it

[Onz]

Had mine for 6 months now and still really happy with it. I spent a while looking for a black anniversary edition, fantastic car

[David911RSR]

phumy said:

David911RSR said:

steebo888 said:

thanks guys for your input.
al post pics as soon as i buy it

Edited by steebo888 on Wednesday 5th December 11:51

I had one from new and only parted with it in Sept. Many dealers/private punters are asking huge money for these cars. For reference, my car was 5 door in Indigo Blue. 40,000miles, one owner car with a full history. FSH, recent tyres and brakes all round. Climate, Auto wipers/rear view mirror and winter pack. The car was in fantastic condition. Trade wise, it was worth 6,500. Privately, I sold it for 7,400.

Check the discs and pads and make sure the car has a full services history. Brake fluid needs changing every 2 years. Cam belt at 4 years. I would ensure the water pump belts have also been changed.

Cambelt at 60k.

Where are the water pump belts? The water pump is driven by the cambelt.

Wrong, cambelt needs replacing a 4 years or 60K miles, which ever comes first. Re the water pump belts, the indie who serviced my car IVC (Leeds) suggested that other belts were replaced at the smae time. The invoice went with the car so I'm not exactly sure.

[phumy]

David911RSR said:

phumy said:

David911RSR said:

steebo888 said:

thanks guys for your input.
al post pics as soon as i buy it

Edited by steebo888 on Wednesday 5th December 11:51

I had one from new and only parted with it in Sept. Many dealers/private punters are asking huge money for these cars. For reference, my car was 5 door in Indigo Blue. 40,000miles, one owner car with a full history. FSH, recent tyres and brakes all round. Climate, Auto wipers/rear view mirror and winter pack. The car was in fantastic condition. Trade wise, it was worth 6,500. Privately, I sold it for 7,400.

Check the discs and pads and make sure the car has a full services history. Brake fluid needs changing every 2 years. Cam belt at 4 years. I would ensure the water pump belts have also been changed.

Cambelt at 60k.

Where are the water pump belts? The water pump is driven by the cambelt.

Wrong, cambelt needs replacing a 4 years or 60K miles, which ever comes first. Re the water pump belts, the indie who serviced my car IVC (Leeds) suggested that other belts were replaced at the smae time. The invoice went with the car so I'm not exactly sure.

If your "indie" told you that you have water pump belts, he is wrong and i suggest you change him, as he doesnt have a clue, or he is ripping you off, if thats the case then change him anyway. As for the 60k, thats what i said, you said 4 years, i said 60k, so who is "wrong"? either we both are or we are both right.

Edited by phumy on Friday 7th December 02:26

[philip walker]

As suggested the ARL has a water pump driven of the cam belt, just finished one less than a hour ago !
Change these every cam belt service.

Starting to change a few turbos on these around 150k

Edited by philip walker on Saturday 8th December 10:51

[BikealarmBlair]

Had one from new, most unreliable car I've ever had the miss fortune to own

It genuinely would be quicker to tell u what didn't break on it

[steebo888]

Picked up the new car a few days ago after looking at about 10 including 130's, 115's and 110's.

Got the 150 gt tdi 3dr in silver 2002 with 107k. 1 owner with full vw his and 12 months mot. A bargain at £5200.

Its in great condition and drives very well.
Very happy with it.

Will post some pics up when theres some sunshine and i properly clean it.