To buy or not to buy? Golf mk4
Discussion
Hi all
First post here for me. Long time home mechanic and reader of various forums - posting now as I need some advice!
I have been looking for a decent Golf mk4 TDI for approaching a year - for around the £2-3k mark. Hard to find - especially local to me (Kent). Have been to look at a lot.
I went yesterday to look at one and it's one of the better ones - I think - or maybe I'm just getting tired of trying to find the right one.
Found on eBay - reg RX02KBY. Great bodywork, FSH, looks really good on the MOT history. 101k miles which from looking at the condition and history of the car I think is genuine.
The downsides: it has a modified (poss straight pipe) exhaust. An oil leak between engine and gearbox, and was puffing a bit of blue smoke when revving. I was unable to drive it as it's SORN. It was also quite oily from approx below the line of the glow plugs. Engine sounds good and starts good. Recently had clutch and flywheel done.
It's basically been well looked after by an older man for all it's life, then for 2 years his son owned it and put the loud exhaust on... need I say more!
Would you buy this for around £2k? Is it likely that 2 years of thrashing about by a young lad have done in the engine?
Background - I've owned a couple of mk4 TDIs in the past - I find them generally a joy to own although I don't buy into the "bulletproof TDI" talk - I know they have their faults. I'm happy to spend a bit of time and money doing repairs but get scared off by things like cracked piston rings and valve stem seals!
Thanks for the advice! Chris
First post here for me. Long time home mechanic and reader of various forums - posting now as I need some advice!
I have been looking for a decent Golf mk4 TDI for approaching a year - for around the £2-3k mark. Hard to find - especially local to me (Kent). Have been to look at a lot.
I went yesterday to look at one and it's one of the better ones - I think - or maybe I'm just getting tired of trying to find the right one.
Found on eBay - reg RX02KBY. Great bodywork, FSH, looks really good on the MOT history. 101k miles which from looking at the condition and history of the car I think is genuine.
The downsides: it has a modified (poss straight pipe) exhaust. An oil leak between engine and gearbox, and was puffing a bit of blue smoke when revving. I was unable to drive it as it's SORN. It was also quite oily from approx below the line of the glow plugs. Engine sounds good and starts good. Recently had clutch and flywheel done.
It's basically been well looked after by an older man for all it's life, then for 2 years his son owned it and put the loud exhaust on... need I say more!
Would you buy this for around £2k? Is it likely that 2 years of thrashing about by a young lad have done in the engine?
Background - I've owned a couple of mk4 TDIs in the past - I find them generally a joy to own although I don't buy into the "bulletproof TDI" talk - I know they have their faults. I'm happy to spend a bit of time and money doing repairs but get scared off by things like cracked piston rings and valve stem seals!
Thanks for the advice! Chris
Thanks for the replies. I think the price is about right compared to other similar cars. A good low mileage tdi is very rare now!
Currently got a 1.6 petrol mk4 Golf and not enjoying it at all. Rough to drive by comparison. And had many issues with it. The TDI is so much better - so get that if you can!
Unconvinced by the reliability of newer VWs. Or maybe a better way to put it - the cost of putting them right when they do go wrong. What’s the 1.6tdi like?
Mk6 Golf also just doesn’t have the character of a mk4, to me.
Currently got a 1.6 petrol mk4 Golf and not enjoying it at all. Rough to drive by comparison. And had many issues with it. The TDI is so much better - so get that if you can!
Unconvinced by the reliability of newer VWs. Or maybe a better way to put it - the cost of putting them right when they do go wrong. What’s the 1.6tdi like?
Mk6 Golf also just doesn’t have the character of a mk4, to me.
aka_kerrly said:
passport010 said:
Mk6 Golf also just doesn’t have the character of a mk4, to me.
Very few people have complimented the MK4, a Mk5 Golf is a much better car especially for £2-3k, there are even some 1.6td mk6s around If you must have a MK4 there is a 1 owner 63k 1.9pd Se on auto trader for £1675 ...get it before a dealer has it optimistically up for £3999
Thanks for your replies. Decided to give this one a miss in the end - didn’t feel right and thinking I’m ready for something different. I test drove a Volvo v70 d5 yesterday and it was excellent.
I do think the mk4 Golf is still such a desirable car though - for its age. Charming? I challenge anyone to spot a more common pre-2003 car on the roads!
I do think the mk4 Golf is still such a desirable car though - for its age. Charming? I challenge anyone to spot a more common pre-2003 car on the roads!
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