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Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Topic started by: jamie_pyrite on 06 September 2009, 11:38

Title: Are they getting to that age?
Post by: jamie_pyrite on 06 September 2009, 11:38
So just some thoughts I've had in my head recently when trying to decide what car to get next.

It seems now that the mk4s, A3s, Ibizas, Leons, etc. are all starting to reach that 10 year old mark. Now surely a newer car is meant to be more reliable and break less, but now that these cars are nearly classed in the car scrappage scheme, are they not so old it's around the time everything starts breaking on them?

I've looked at parts prices and they're a LOT higher for a mk4 than a mk2!


So what are people's experiences with buying a "new, but not so new" car?
Title: Re: Are they getting to that age?
Post by: Wazzzer on 06 September 2009, 13:23
I could already scrap mine and get 2k for it which is a joke TBH

The scheme is aimed at lower spec or battered cars IMO

The younger the car though the more expensive the parts. Plus a lot of the faults with the mk4 have been found and fixed or at least be relatively cheap to fix compared to a newer car. As long as you find yourself a mk4 with service history and lowish miles you should be ok. (Although low miles can work against you as I've found out  :grin:)
Title: Re: Are they getting to that age?
Post by: jamie_pyrite on 06 September 2009, 16:09
I could already scrap mine and get 2k for it which is a joke TBH

The scheme is aimed at lower spec or battered cars IMO

The younger the car though the more expensive the parts. Plus a lot of the faults with the mk4 have been found and fixed or at least be relatively cheap to fix compared to a newer car. As long as you find yourself a mk4 with service history and lowish miles you should be ok. (Although low miles can work against you as I've found out  :grin:)

So apart from the usual like MAF and coilpacks, what generally goes wrong with mk4s that can be expensive to fix? Are the gearboxes solid? Electrics prone to faults?


I'm tempted by an A3 but I just can't get away with their looks unless it's an S3.. and mk3 Ibizas, etc. seem to be a lower build quality than mk4 golfs?

This is coming from someone who's only ever had mk2s! Such easy cars to work on and parts are dirt cheap :) They just don't have the same creature comforts of newer cars..
Title: Re: Are they getting to that age?
Post by: smitty12 on 06 September 2009, 18:04
well i have the "aparinatly" bullet broof 2.0 8v.
I love my car and could never bring myself to sell her nevermind scrap!

The only thing is, shes starting to turn into a money pit.
Ive gave her a desperatly needed service, the spark plugs were completly nakered,
had a crack in the manifold but got that welded,
changed the timing belt,
changed all the bulbs at least once,
changed the head gaskit,
the outside air temperature reads at -50 degrees,
the started motor screams everytime i turn the key (even after oiling the whole thing up)
the battery keeps dying,
the passenger window will go down happyily but refuses to come back up,
the fuses keep blowing (replaced 3 in the past week),
the front shocks are starting to go which i noticed when i put my lowering springs on,
the handles to pull the front seats forward have both snapped off,
she drinks oil like its going out of fashion
and the hand brake has to be touching the roof for her to stop rolling forward

But other than that i love my 2.slow  :grin:

oh and just remebered sometimes she doesnt like going into 3rd and the air bag light sometimes decides to come on?
Title: Re: Are they getting to that age?
Post by: navmk4gti on 06 September 2009, 19:40
mine is a s reg.. pretty old... but i love it none the less best car i have ever owned ... they do have there nibbly problems.. but what car dont?  :smiley:

overall i think there  aawesome car and age dont come into it for me.. if its been taken car off pulls strong and turns heads its the car for me regardles age  :grin:

a3's are ugly.. leons have a high granny ass.. mk4 looks spot on even my s reg  :laugh:
Title: Re: Are they getting to that age?
Post by: braderz on 06 September 2009, 23:22
i got my t reg about 6 weeks ago, gave it a diy service, fuel and oil filter, oil. air filter was ok. car just rolled over 100k last week.
i had a 3 month warranty for the place i got it from, and had the roll bar bushes replaced under that, on weds its going in for the top mounts to be done, so pretty lucky there as they were banging like hell. for the age mine runs great though, has full service history, majority at vw, and interior is tidy. wouldnt really notice its hitting its 11th birthday almost! Only thing i can fault on it is that the seat bolster has got no support left in it! Might get a pic up of it actually, although it has a broken screen at the moment (little mishap!) Its nowhere near scrap worthy yet, allow that!!
Title: Re: Are they getting to that age?
Post by: richw911 on 06 September 2009, 23:28
iOnly thing i can fault on it is that the seat bolster has got no support left in it!

Fix it for 50 pounds from VW

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=107818.0

Recaro Foam base part number is 1JO 881 375 P
Title: Re: Are they getting to that age?
Post by: braderz on 06 September 2009, 23:30
you might have just made my day lol

are these the same parts that fit the gt seats? mine arent recaro ones
Title: Re: Are they getting to that age?
Post by: richw911 on 06 September 2009, 23:44
you might have just made my day lol

are these the same parts that fit the gt seats? mine arent recaro ones

Ah I dont think they are the same TBH  :undecided: Wait for Rhyso to confirm  :wink:
Title: Re: Are they getting to that age?
Post by: linz on 07 September 2009, 08:38
lol tbh honest the mk4s cannot be used for the scrappage scheme can thy?
its so wrong to think anyne wud do tht lol

i find them good solid reliable cars an though mine is getting of age i wudnt think it - my mums iibiza is newer but feels so much older
Title: Re: Are they getting to that age?
Post by: Rhyso on 07 September 2009, 09:04
you might have just made my day lol

are these the same parts that fit the gt seats? mine arent recaro ones

Ah I dont think they are the same TBH  :undecided: Wait for Rhyso to confirm  :wink:

different shape altogether

you need part number 1JO 881 375 AE I think as there as various letters after the number.  Take it into VW and tell them you have the sports seats and they should be able to find it for you  :smiley:
Title: Re: Are they getting to that age?
Post by: braderz on 07 September 2009, 11:50
il ask them when they do my windscreen lol
Title: Re: Are they getting to that age?
Post by: johnson6672 on 07 September 2009, 19:35
The main stuff that seems to fail is just the usual stuff that comes with age like bushes etc, but these a pretty much the same as the MK2 to change, apart from that not alot.
The engine is a bit harder to work on, but thats mainly cause there is less room comapred to a mk 2, but then mk2's do have loads of room, as long as you have vag com you should be able to look after it as easily as a mk2 as that is the only thing that really makes thing difficult.