Golf MK4 1.8t any good?
Discussion
What do you guys think of the MK4 Golf Gti's with the 1.8t engine?
150bhp with so-so torque and a pretty refined ride make it a pretty attractive ownership prospect. I know the handling is not great but i hear that fitting a rear ARB can fix things. Also i've been led to believe that the 1.8t is pretty easy to tune? I'm just wondering what the general opinion on these cars is?
150bhp with so-so torque and a pretty refined ride make it a pretty attractive ownership prospect. I know the handling is not great but i hear that fitting a rear ARB can fix things. Also i've been led to believe that the 1.8t is pretty easy to tune? I'm just wondering what the general opinion on these cars is?
I've owned two 1.8T GTIs. My first was an early 1998 (S) model which I loved! I owned the car for 4 years, starting with 39k miles and selling it on 85k for only one £1000 less than I paid for it! I then had an audi A3, A4 and then decided I missed my old GTI so much I bought another (2001) model which I then drove for a year. I ended up replacing the car with a mk1 TT.
Howevever, when my wife needed a new car two years ago to replace her old Golf cabriolet there was only one car when our price bracket... A (2000) GTI T.. So, after having three in the familly I can honestly say they are great cars. It's not a true GTI feeling drive, but the turbo engine is cracking and really good on fuel. It's cheap to run and has lots of room inside for 6'' + people like me!
Try and by a genuine (non moddified) one with full service history. It would seem these cars are easy to clock as I've found a few with the wrong mileage when buying mine. A quick call to VW with the car reg was all it took me to find out the sellers were lying!
Some ARBs and a Revo remap will transform the car...
Howevever, when my wife needed a new car two years ago to replace her old Golf cabriolet there was only one car when our price bracket... A (2000) GTI T.. So, after having three in the familly I can honestly say they are great cars. It's not a true GTI feeling drive, but the turbo engine is cracking and really good on fuel. It's cheap to run and has lots of room inside for 6'' + people like me!
Try and by a genuine (non moddified) one with full service history. It would seem these cars are easy to clock as I've found a few with the wrong mileage when buying mine. A quick call to VW with the car reg was all it took me to find out the sellers were lying!
Some ARBs and a Revo remap will transform the car...
Edited by AudiSport on Tuesday 23 February 07:53
I have a 2000 A3 1.8T Sport which is pretty much the same car.
I found the stock map fine to be honest but then I got a Custom Code Stage 1 map on it and its transformed the car. Much nice to drive now.
I found the handling crap at best though so cured that with adding some KW ARB's and its excellent now. I also lobbed on a Wietec Ultra GT spring and shock set and it now handles like a dream.
They're great cars and last and last as long as you keep on top of the services. Bushes can go but they're pretty cheap to get replaced.
Look out for a low miles, full history model with leather and you'll get a good car
I found the stock map fine to be honest but then I got a Custom Code Stage 1 map on it and its transformed the car. Much nice to drive now.
I found the handling crap at best though so cured that with adding some KW ARB's and its excellent now. I also lobbed on a Wietec Ultra GT spring and shock set and it now handles like a dream.
They're great cars and last and last as long as you keep on top of the services. Bushes can go but they're pretty cheap to get replaced.
Look out for a low miles, full history model with leather and you'll get a good car
They are terrible. 2 friends had them and both had problems with sensors and bushes and 1 had the gearbox go and complete engine failure. Nice interior if you get leather but some creak very badly, they handle like boats but are pretty economical and tuneable if u find one that has been looked after and not clocked with dodgy history. The 1st guy who answered is obviously a mega fanboy. There are plenty of better cars for similar money.
Take a look at the MK1 Skoda Octavia VRS. Same basic engine as the Golf but it has the K03s turbo (Golf has a K03). This means the power is slightly up on the standard car and after a remap the gains are also greater on the Octavia.
Off the top of my head, I thing the standard VRS is 190bhp but it will remap easily to around 218-220bhp.
Chassis etc. is pretty much the same as the gold although it abviously has a larger body. The boot on the hatch back is almost as big as the estate
If you're not a badge snob, you should find the VRS Octavia much better value for money.
With all 1.8T engine, check the waterpump has been changed with the cambelt at around 70k miles.
As with the other cars on the platform, an ARB will sort the handling and the standard ARB/droplink bushes can fail.
There is a known problem with a hose to the turbo but most of those should have been fixed by now (and the hose replaced with the re-designed one).
Good Golf MK4 forum: www.uk-mkivs.net
Good Skoda forum: www.briskoda.net
Off the top of my head, I thing the standard VRS is 190bhp but it will remap easily to around 218-220bhp.
Chassis etc. is pretty much the same as the gold although it abviously has a larger body. The boot on the hatch back is almost as big as the estate
If you're not a badge snob, you should find the VRS Octavia much better value for money.
With all 1.8T engine, check the waterpump has been changed with the cambelt at around 70k miles.
As with the other cars on the platform, an ARB will sort the handling and the standard ARB/droplink bushes can fail.
There is a known problem with a hose to the turbo but most of those should have been fixed by now (and the hose replaced with the re-designed one).
Good Golf MK4 forum: www.uk-mkivs.net
Good Skoda forum: www.briskoda.net
Edited by Goochie on Tuesday 23 February 12:25
My wifes has been pretty trouble free over her past 5 years of ownership. She is 2nd owner and has had it from 55k miles, now on 9ok and in that time just routine servicing, (inc cam belt and waterpump), some suspension parts and a clutch last year.
99 reg, V plate. 5 door, great car, and it was driving the Golf when she first got it, which persuaded me to sell my Impreza and buy an S3. from that an S4 and I doubt neither of us will buy another non VAG car again.
It maybe for sale in a couple of months time if you're interested, as she is now thinking or replacing it with a Mk5 GTi.
Let me know if you want more details. It's completely standard, never been modified, and a 5 door. Silver
99 reg, V plate. 5 door, great car, and it was driving the Golf when she first got it, which persuaded me to sell my Impreza and buy an S3. from that an S4 and I doubt neither of us will buy another non VAG car again.
It maybe for sale in a couple of months time if you're interested, as she is now thinking or replacing it with a Mk5 GTi.
Let me know if you want more details. It's completely standard, never been modified, and a 5 door. Silver
Goochie said:
Take a look at the MK1 Skoda Octavia VRS. Same basic engine as the Golf but it has the K03s turbo (Golf has a K03). This means the power is slightly up on the standard car and after a remap the gains are also greater on the Octavia.
Only the early AGU engined Golfs have a K03, this was changed late 2000 / early 2001 to the AUM, which is drive by wire and has the K03S.The AUQ on the Anniversary 1.8T also has a K03S but 180bhp.
Email me your address and I'll post you a copy of our Mk 4 Golf GTI model profile + other info..
We currently run a road & track modified Mk 4 GTI 1.8T (2000T-reg originally AGU) which has clocked over 240,000 miles, engine only recently replaced (now has TT unit, with 250 bhp) got lots of experience with various mods etc.
Neil Birkitt
Editor, Volkswagen Driver magazine
www.volkswagendrivermag.co.uk
E: Neil.Birkitt@autometrix.co.uk
For further info about Mk 4 Golfs in general log on at www.uk-mkivs.net
driving in snow is infact my favourite, love a good bit of colin mcrae driving action. for all the cars ive owned the golf was the worst in the snow, maybe because of the early spool of the turbo?
its been over 2 yaers since my golf and it was a fun car to drive. plenty of acceleration upto the national speed limits
its been over 2 yaers since my golf and it was a fun car to drive. plenty of acceleration upto the national speed limits
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