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Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Golf mk4 TDI => Topic started by: JAKEY1 on 22 October 2010, 11:30

Title: MK4 TDI Buying Advice
Post by: JAKEY1 on 22 October 2010, 11:30
Hi all I am new to this forum so I hope this is posted in the correct place.

I am looking at buying a Golf Mk4 TDI and was wandering if anyone could advise me on the differences between the 115, 130 and 150 models (apart from the BHP:-). I was also wanting to know what the limitations are on remaping the 115 model as I have seen one for sale locally. Any other buying advise on the Golf would be much appreciated.

I am fairly knowledgeable on engines/engine terminology and have been tinkering with a 1996 VW Transporter for a few years which I have converted into a camper.
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm30/ANDYJAKEMAN1/Van%20Pics/VANSPRAY4709196.jpg)
Title: Re: MK4 TDI Buying Advice
Post by: alex160 on 22 October 2010, 13:29
Make sure clutch is ok, make sure turbo is nice and punchy and that car deosnt smoke excessivly. As for bhp, the 115bhp has smaller turbo that 130 and 150 but is cheaper on insurance by a fair bit and when remapped is as quick as a stock 150 model. 130 is best all rounder imo, 150 has larger turbo and front mount intercooler than the 115 and 130, but can suffer cam shaft problems which are expensive to rectify.
Title: Re: MK4 TDI Buying Advice
Post by: JAKEY1 on 22 October 2010, 19:54
Ok thanks for the information.
Title: Re: MK4 TDI Buying Advice
Post by: asif on 23 October 2010, 00:44
As above alot of people will agree the 130 is the best all rounder, perfect balance between power and economy and pleanty of room for more poke at a decent price.
Title: Re: MK4 TDI Buying Advice
Post by: Kerrse on 25 October 2010, 09:45
As above errmm i personally think the only people who say the 130 is the best all rounder is people who own a 130 lol

150's are great cars  :cool:
Title: Re: MK4 TDI Buying Advice
Post by: asif on 27 October 2010, 23:15
Deffo 150's are great cars no doubting that but as an all rounder i'd say 130pd FTW
Less costly problems to deal with although their not imune to the problems just less likely, so depends how many pennies you got aside after you buy the car to keep aside incase the crank goes. It is the crank that is like chocolate isn't it?
Title: Re: MK4 TDI Buying Advice
Post by: Rhyso on 28 October 2010, 08:08
Deffo 150's are great cars no doubting that but as an all rounder i'd say 130pd FTW
Less costly problems to deal with although their not imune to the problems just less likely, so depends how many pennies you got aside after you buy the car to keep aside incase the crank goes. It is the crank that is like chocolate isn't it?

Camshaft  :wink:
Title: Re: MK4 TDI Buying Advice
Post by: asif on 28 October 2010, 10:05
Yeah that thing :grin:
Title: Re: MK4 TDI Buying Advice
Post by: Kerrse on 28 October 2010, 10:55
So people always say usually 130 owners loli have done 110k and never had any cam shaft problems. I don't get this whole the 130 is a better all rounder.

The 150 is better trimmed, better powered and better equipped :)
Title: Re: MK4 TDI Buying Advice
Post by: Rhyso on 28 October 2010, 10:59
So people always say usually 130 owners loli have done 110k and never had any cam shaft problems. I don't get this whole the 130 is a better all rounder.

The 150 is better trimmed, better powered and better equipped :)

Consider yourself jinxed.  Steve's went at around 115K.........

Better trimmed? Yes that's why your front armrest is 'optional' and on the 130 it was standard.  Also you don't get that horrible fake wood trim in the 130  :tongue:
Title: Re: MK4 TDI Buying Advice
Post by: asif on 28 October 2010, 11:00
Better powered - True
Better trimmed - ? what are the main differences?
Better equipped - ? equipment like?

Genuinely asking mate, not like in a war between 130 and 150 :grin:
The alrounder thing is probably something more commonly used on the forum, the reasoning behind it seems to be comparisons on problems more than anything.
But from where i'm standing in the past year that seems to be the same to me :(
Title: Re: MK4 TDI Buying Advice
Post by: asif on 28 October 2010, 11:02
So people always say usually 130 owners loli have done 110k and never had any cam shaft problems. I don't get this whole the 130 is a better all rounder.

The 150 is better trimmed, better powered and better equipped :)

Consider yourself jinxed.  Steve's went at around 115K.........

Better trimmed? Yes that's why your front armrest is 'optional' and on the 130 it was standard.  Also you don't get that horrible fake wood trim in the 130  :tongue:
You can compare trim to mine if you want to compare the 150 to the 130 :grin:
What would you get on a 150 that's not on mine for example?
I've got an armrest on mine why was it an option on the 150? I thought it was an option on the 130 aswell?
Title: Re: MK4 TDI Buying Advice
Post by: Rhyso on 28 October 2010, 11:04
So people always say usually 130 owners loli have done 110k and never had any cam shaft problems. I don't get this whole the 130 is a better all rounder.

The 150 is better trimmed, better powered and better equipped :)

Consider yourself jinxed.  Steve's went at around 115K.........

Better trimmed? Yes that's why your front armrest is 'optional' and on the 130 it was standard.  Also you don't get that horrible fake wood trim in the 130  :tongue:
You can compare trim to mine if you want to compare the 150 to the 130 :grin:
What would you get on a 150 that's not on mine for example?
I've got an armrest on mine why was it an option on the 150? I thought it was an option on the 130 aswell?

As far as I know, externally the 150 got a deeper front valance like the 4 motion one and 16 inch wheels as standard.  Also sits on the sports suspension as standard too I think

Internally they may have had Climatronic as standard  :undecided:

Performance wise it depends how far you want to take the car power wise.  The 150 is the better base as it has a FMIC as standard

Every day driving its down to personal preference.  The 130 with its smaller turbo has a bit more low down urgency whereas the 150 has its power mainly past 2.5Krpm

Horses for courses
Title: Re: MK4 TDI Buying Advice
Post by: asif on 28 October 2010, 11:06
I got told that climate control on the 130  02 onwards it was standard also, i've never seen an 02 130 without climate even when I was on the hunt for a 130.
Title: Re: MK4 TDI Buying Advice
Post by: Kerrse on 28 October 2010, 13:25
Opinion seems to differ on this subject on every forum, it seems to be debated over & over again. Funniest one i just read was someone saying you'd be better buying a 130 because all the 150's would have been thrashed and 130 drivers were all sensible haha

Suppose it depends what you want to do with the car ..i have have only done minimal mods on mine ..stage 1 remap, wheels , suspension & headlights so if i ever do sell it i will return it to standard.
Title: Re: MK4 TDI Buying Advice
Post by: ramrod on 28 October 2010, 13:39
Ive been looking at a few mk4 GT TDi's myself.

ive found this information useful.

thanks everyone.

:)

cant seem to find a decent one with low mileage tho :wink:
Title: Re: MK4 TDI Buying Advice
Post by: Kerrse on 28 October 2010, 13:51
Ive been looking at a few mk4 GT TDi's myself.

ive found this information useful.

thanks everyone.

:)

cant seem to find a decent one with low mileage tho :wink:

low mileage isn't a necessity when it comes to TDI's as long as they have been looked after they will go for ever.
Title: Re: MK4 TDI Buying Advice
Post by: asif on 28 October 2010, 14:14
As Kerrse said they'll go for ages just as long as their maintained well, so service history is paramount.

Funniest one i just read was someone saying you'd be better buying a 130 because all the 150's would have been thrashed and 130 drivers were all sensible haha

:grin: :grin: :grin: how on earth did that person come up with that conclusion, did they do some kinda 130 owners questionare or sensus or something :grin:
Title: Re: MK4 TDI Buying Advice
Post by: ramrod on 28 October 2010, 17:34
i found a really nice one but it had 225,000 on the clock :laugh: fsh tho, might go take a look
Title: Re: MK4 TDI Buying Advice
Post by: asif on 28 October 2010, 19:15
Woah how many miles
Title: Re: MK4 TDI Buying Advice
Post by: ramrod on 28 October 2010, 23:40
lol

apparantly 200k are all moterway miles bcos he was commuting 600 miles a week... its on autotrader :wink:
Title: Re: MK4 TDI Buying Advice
Post by: Kerrse on 29 October 2010, 08:26
that is a lot of miles lol mine seems low now at 110 k !!
Title: Re: MK4 TDI Buying Advice
Post by: asif on 29 October 2010, 08:58
Mine seems new born, i've only just this week turned 80k
Title: Re: MK4 TDI Buying Advice
Post by: ramrod on 29 October 2010, 09:20
so when faced with a tdi with 225k on the clock you change your tune and say its high mileage lol

funny how you guys were saying that tdi's go on forever before!

lmao

 :lipsrsealed:
Title: Re: MK4 TDI Buying Advice
Post by: Rhyso on 29 October 2010, 09:24
so when faced with a tdi with 225k on the clock you change your tune and say its high mileage lol

funny how you guys were saying that tdi's go on forever before!

lmao

 :lipsrsealed:

What they failed to mention was that you replace bits over time  :laugh: :laugh:
Title: Re: MK4 TDI Buying Advice
Post by: alex160 on 29 October 2010, 09:37
Mines now on 133k, still drives alot better than my friends focus with 50k on the clock  :grin:   If the car has had the nessecary servicing ect then it should be ok, just the figure of over 200k puts most people off.
Title: Re: MK4 TDI Buying Advice
Post by: Kerrse on 29 October 2010, 10:35
I agree its just the figure lol i will probably still have my Golf when it hits 200k + even if i buy another car will keep the Golf , i hate selling cars lol
Title: Re: MK4 TDI Buying Advice
Post by: asif on 29 October 2010, 17:51
Yeah it kinda made me sh*t myself :grin:
Title: Re: MK4 TDI Buying Advice
Post by: asif on 29 October 2010, 17:53
You reckon the car with 225k on the clock would be at the end of the 2nd clutch?
Title: Re: MK4 TDI Buying Advice
Post by: alex160 on 29 October 2010, 19:26
You reckon the car with 225k on the clock would be at the end of the 2nd clutch?

All depends on how its been treated tbh, just like you see some tdi which have needed a new turbo around 60k and some still have the orignal one at 200k, all depends on what love the car gets lol
Title: Re: MK4 TDI Buying Advice
Post by: asif on 29 October 2010, 20:18
True, true
Title: Re: MK4 TDI Buying Advice
Post by: Kerrse on 01 November 2010, 10:38
Indeed mine is still on the original clutch & turbo i am close to 115k althought my turbo is making an odd screeching noise when it spools up in 1st & 2 nd gear is going in to be checked out & serviced in a few weeks ..