GolfGTIforum.co.uk
General => General discussion => Topic started by: sovk1n6 on 27 December 2010, 02:24
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Hi guys, I'm fairly new to the forum. I'm looking to buy either a mk2 or mk4 gti theres alot of mixed views about both, would just like to know your thoughts on either if you considered.
- Performance
- Handling
- Easiness to live with
- Fun Factor
- Maintenence, servicing and repairs
- Possibly modifying if the funds allow
Thanks
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performance - mk2 16v standard , mk4 1.8T if your tuning.
handling - cheetah V elephant , mk2 everyday allday.
Livability - mk2's are old so need attention , mk4's have issues all of their own.
Fun - mk2's are edge of your seat fun , no doubt a well set up mk4 can be fun
reliability - see livability
modding - no shortage of ideas and parts on either front.
mk4's are fat and dull to look at , they're even worse than mk3's.
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I own a late 89 G reg 8 valve mk2 and a 2000 x reg mk4 1.8T, The mk4 is dull boring and in my opinion not worth the money it costs to run (it drinks fuel). Where as the mk2 is used for everything everytime I drive it it puts a huge grin on my face its so much fun and the mk4 is basically used to go where I don't want to take the mk2 i.e shopping etc. MK2 all the way in my opinion.
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Well I would say that they are both totally different cars, one is a modern everyday good all round car (mk4) the mk2 does need some looking after but then again if you find a good one you will be very happy with it and easy to live with. You would get a lot more respect and looks for rolling around in a mk2 then mk4. As for fun fact mk2 will win hands down all day long. The mk4 does drink fuel this is why if I where looking at a mk4 I would possibly look at a mk4 gttdi (150bhp) then have it remapped and you would then have a very quick car that would also return good mpg plus those diesel engines go all day long and are a very strong engine.
I suppose it really depends on what you are using the cat for but I have a mk2 and I have had loads of nice modern cars but some have been very fast and good fun to drive but none have ever put a smile on my face like my mk2.
Good look with the search and look forward to seeing what you buy. :smiley:
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Mk2 GTI ftw. simples :smiley:
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Mk2 is the way. Massive smile on my face everytime I take mine out. If you get mk3 heater matrix in it aswell it'll be warm. They need looking after though.
Mk4 is too slow and sluggash look nice modified but not fun. You don't drive it, not like a mk2. But get what you want for your way of life.
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never driven or even been in a mk4 but i have a mk2 8v with the 2litre out if a mk3 in it, its by far fast enough to bring a smile to anyones face, it does need tinkering with quite a lot though. But i seem to have bought a bit of a dog, if your willing to pay the money for a good one it would be a great car, I have a mate with a nicer one than mine and it has never broken, just usual wear and tear parts which would go on a mk4 anyway.
Also round these parts mk4s are the chav car of choice :lipsrsealed: could be different where you are though
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Just all depends on what you want if your into tinkering around with a car and like something nibble with a bit of character and decent performance the mk2 would be a good choice.If you want a car thats newer more comfort for everyday driving and offers more choice like engine and spec then the mk4.Im thinking of a GTTdi as my next car which suits me for my needs both are decent cars but I do think the mk2 is slighty higher maintenance as its an older car.Modding wise there both pretty good the list is endless what you can do with both cars all on your budget.
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buy both, mk4 for the commute and mk2 for the weekend :afro:
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Despite my valver being nearly 20 years old, it is the only car I have owned that puts a huge grin on my face when I drive it.
Plus I - but in reality it :sad: - get lots of looks. The best one so far was at Tesco petrol station in Neath. Opposite me was a saxo full of teenagers who couldn't take their eyes of it.
All cars look the same these days, bland.
MK2 16v FTW!
Jonathan.
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I own a late 89 G reg 8 valve mk2 and a 2000 x reg mk4 1.8T
I've owned both a G reg 8v and a 2000 1.8t and I'd go for the mk4.
Oh and don't believe that a mk4 is more reliable than a mk2.
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Hi guys, I'm fairly new to the forum. I'm looking to buy either a mk2 or mk4 gti theres alot of mixed views about both, would just like to know your thoughts on either if you considered.
- Performance- A Turbo mk4 would have to be considered to rival a Mk2 and then needs to be tuned
- Handling- Mk2 is the way forward. Will run rings around Captain Stodge
- Easiness to live with- Depends on what you call easy to live with. I do a 52 mile round commute in mine daily and consider it fine for the job. Do you like gadgets and comfort? Or do you like a simple, straight forward motor?
- Fun Factor-Mk2 again.
- Maintenence, servicing and repairs- Having not done any work to a Mk4 I don't really have the knowledge of how easy they are to sort out. However I do know that a Mk2 is from an era before car manufacturers decided to make it too difficult for home servicing etc.
- Possibly modifying if the funds allow- You'll be able to pick up an 8v Mk2 cheap. You'll be straying towards dog rough Mk4 territory for a mint 16v but in my opinion it's worth it. My Mk2 is more of a friend than a means of transport. Its rolled back years of Peugeot motoring misery and once again I love driving. And judging by the chav who tried it on with his Mk4 last weekend, it just can't live with a Mk2
Thanks
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As everyone has said really :smiley:
Mk4 is heavy and has rubbish handling, but its an effortless drive because of all the electronics and it eats up the motoryway miles. (Dont go for the 2.08v the 1.8T and 1.8 N/A are the pick of the bunch.)
It is easy to tune with a simple remap (190 - 210 bhp depending on engine code) which in a stright line will give you the grin factor, just dont go round any corners :grin: You will have to spend a bit on suspension to get it really usable.
Despite people saying they are unreliable my MK4 has 140K on origanal turbo,MAF, and all four coilpacks!
All depends how its been looked after/ serviced in the past IMO - and Luck of the draw i guess.
Its been a really good car TBH. (Did have a bit of trouble with the water pump... :lipsrsealed: :grin:)
Sure its had a few of the common faults but what car does'nt?
Mk2 is a real drivers car. Great handling loads of fun, still looks great today, you really have to drive it (unlike the MK4) you feel a part of it if that makes sense.
Not many stupid electronics / sensors to go wrong etc Its light because of this too- no airbags in seats etc
They do need to be looked after as any older car does
All MK2's come complete with "The MK2 smell" :afro: :grin: :laugh:
All in all MK2 FTW :cool:
Or if you can afford it get both - MK2 for fun MK4 for daily :cool: :cool:
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thanks for that, its why I was kinda confused on which to go for, ther both different cars, I think I would appreciate the mk2 more plus I think there cool. However I am single and living with my parents lol which means they prefer the luxury and smoothness of a car not the neccsary fun factor it brings and am slightly scared at letting them drive it (as it does make insurance cheaper havinbg them as names drivers), the way my dad parks (if he done that in my mk2 if I bought one i would literally hav a heart attack). I have a 2002 Seat Ibiza 1.2 and I've driven some of the newer cars, the new astra and mk5 and mk6 golf. I and couldnt tell you why but I just love driving the lil Seat its just a fun car to drive no traction control and no ABS i think makes the diff howeve after more than 1/2 hours it oes get tiring, the newer cars dont feel as fun/connected with driving. I've never driven a mk4 so I cnt realy comment only assume its the same and having a lot more comfort on longer drives.
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buy both, mk4 for the commute and mk2 for the weekend :afro:
:evil: yup yup
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Buy a mk4.
It will be extremely difficult to find a good mk2 now, and it will still break down once a week :grin:
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you are only young once...buy a mk2 and grow with it :wink: loads of time to buy comfy cars later :smug:
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Buy a mk4.
It will be extremely difficult to find a good mk2 now, and it will still break down once a week :grin:
I defy you sir. Now take that back immediately :grin:
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I had 2 mk2's and neither of them ever let me down, I found them to be really reliable!
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I had 2 mk2's and neither of them ever let me down, I found them to be really reliable!
mk2 wannabie :grin: traitor :grin:
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I had 2 mk2's and neither of them ever let me down, I found them to be really reliable!
mk2 wannabie :grin: traitor seen the error of his ways :grin:
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I had 2 mk2's and neither of them ever let me down, I found them to be really reliable!
mk2 wannabie :grin: traitor seen the error of his ways now old and fat :grin:
Fixed
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:shocked: :shocked:
Think you may be right though, :undecided: Old and fat now - me and the car :sick: :grin:
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Can only echo what has already been said.
I have had a mk4 2.0 8v ( im not gonna call it a GTI cos it never deserved the badge), and a string of mk2's, 1.8 drivers, 1.8 gti's, 1.8 16v and now a 2.0 16v.
My basic rule of thumb has always been to buy the best i could afford, then give it a full going over anyway, discs/pads full service, new cambelt etc. I have NEVER had a mk2 break down on me.
Mk4 broke down within 3weeks of owning it (water pump packed up) despite only having 60k on the clock.
Have also driven a 180bhp 1.8T, and drove it again once it had been mapped to 205bhp, was still not "special" like even a mk2 8v is.
IMO from driving them, mk4s are gutless and handled like Turd and the only mk4 even worth considering in standard form is the R32. And when your spending that kind of money you could build a supercharged mk2 VR6..................
know what id do!
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Have you considered the mk1 same kinda money as a good mk2 will always hold there money if looked after and by far the best driving Golf you can buy even in standard form wont fail to put a smile on your face,its the only golf that really made me smile and my fav out the bunch.
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Mk2's are always breaking, just go and read the mk2 section :tongue:
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Buy a mk1, then put a 1.8T in it...... looks much better than all the other fat golfs and would go like stink!! :cool: :cool:
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Too front heavy.
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Mk2's are always breaking, just go and read the mk2 section :tongue:
They don't break, they just find constructive ways of keeping their owners inter-acting with them :grin:
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If you want a reliable old car, buy an Audi.
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Im sorry but only ones that are not looked after properly break down.
I have had 9 mk2's and not one of them has ever broken down on me. Sure iv had to replace bushes,bearings,mounts,alternators,clutches etc, but these are all normal service items which will need replacing on any car over its life span. If you keep on top of a mk2 it will be just as reliable as any other vehicle.
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That's what i'm getting at.
If you buy a mk2, you will be forever spending money on parts.
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But you wouldn't on a more complex Audi of a similar age?
You sure about that?
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As the majority said go for the mk2 but be prepared to put work in to it when things go wrong. The most fun you will have is owning one as they are such characters.
You'll have a smile on your face more often than not. I'd say they were better to fix when they break down than modern cars as parts are cheaper and things are a lot more mechanical than fussily electric. :undecided:
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But you wouldn't on a more complex Audi of a similar age?
You sure about that?
I think you already know the answer to that.
Old Audi's are incredibly well made, they don't go wrong often, but when they do... :grin:
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when a mk2 goes wrong its usually a simple, mechanical fix.
when a mk4 goes wrong..... ooooh electronics.... :lipsrsealed:
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ye, my head says mk4, heart says mk2, I wouldnt mind a mk1 its just too small and my dad use to have an old audi 80 loved it to bits which led my other two uncles to buy one lol, if it was an audi it would hav to be audi s2 or something similar which is alot on insurance and probably harder/more expensive to fix? or Ur quattro which is alot to buy. No matter what car I look at I always come bk to the mk2, I think its slowly coming bk to whether I buy a mk2 for a decent price and fix the lil things wrong with it or spend the money and buy one that thats i mint condition.
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Mk3! :wink: :lipsrsealed:
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Skills needed to fix Golfs:
MK1 - Did you play with Meccano as a child?
MK2 - Did you play with Lego Technic as a child?
Mk3 - Are you a shipwright?
MK4 - Do you have A-Level electronic engineering and some spare cash?
MK5 - Do you have a degree in electronic engineering and lots of spare cash?
MK6 - see MK5 :rolleyes:
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comfort mk4, there is the mk4 section for problems they do have most of the time its the boost pipe apparently! ask Rhyso :grin:
mk2 if you have time on ur hands and arent afraid of getting your hands dirty.
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Skills needed to fix Golfs:
MK1 - Did you play with Meccano as a child?
MK2 - Did you play with Lego Technic as a child?
Mk3 - Are you a shipwright?
MK4 - Do you have A-Level electronic engineering and some spare cash?
MK5 - Do you have a degree in electronic engineering and lots of spare cash?
MK6 - see MK5 :rolleyes:
You have made my day.
My dad has a mk4 diesel estate and whilst it has grunt it doesnt have that special thing that my mk2 does.
Its probably because the mk4 is a diesel
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I think you already know the answer to that.
Old Audi's are incredibly well made, they don't go wrong often, but when they do... :grin:
I've replaced enough bushes on other people's Audi 100 quattros to know that you're quite, quite wrong.
There is definitely space for a 'Vicarage' style Golf2 out there at the moment.
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I think you already know the answer to that.
Old Audi's are incredibly well made, they don't go wrong often, but when they do... :grin:
I've replaced enough bushes on other people's Audi 100 quattros to know that you're quite, quite wrong.
There is definitely space for a 'Vicarage' style Golf2 out there at the moment.
Every car will need work at some point.
Every golf i've owned has needed alot more consumables replaced much quicker than any of the Audi's i've had.
But of course you are always right :tongue:
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They are two very different cars believe me. Not sure I would have my mk2 for a day to day basis. It's noisy. the mk4 is just comfy and economical.
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There are alot of shared parts between them.
Audi's do seem to be better put together.
I've replaced enough bushes on other people's Audi 100 quattros to know that you're quite, quite wrong.
Control arm bushes by any chance? the design is the same as the early polo on the audi 100, not great.
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if you get a mk2,get a valver
if you get a mk4,get a r32
me,i would get the mk2 all day,every day. :cool:
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Control arm bushes by any chance? the design is the same as the early polo on the audi 100, not great.
Yes AND rear subframe bushes.
I'm not disagreeing that Audis are very well put together, but on even the most well-put together cars bushes fail after 20 years. There are generally more bushes on Audis to be replaced than on a Golf2
That's not to say I couldn't be tempted by something like this (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1993-AUDI-80-E-QUATTRO-GREEN-/250748464404?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3a61c5ed14) or this (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1996-Audi-A8-4-2-QUATTRO-AUTO-/110614231270?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item19c11f38e6)
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All cars need consumables replaced.
Audi's certainly to go on for longer without any significant repairs, more than can be said for golfs.
I would be surprised if you could find enough Audi 100's to work on, very rare!!
That A8 in your link is expensive considering the mileage, i paid the same for mine 2.5 years ago with nearly half the mileage.
At least it won't rust like a golf.
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I would be surprised if you could find enough Audi 100's to work on, very rare!!
A mate has two or three.
Mr Pimpdriver. You may know him from Audi forums. :grin:
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I sold my Audi 100 quattro to my brother 2.5 years ago.
It has done 170k+ miles, the only bushes that have been replaced are the outer front arm bushes(twice) and the inner arm bushes, and 2 rear drop links(does that count?)
The rear anti roll bar bushes are a bit limp, but that's about it.
Anyway, i thought you didn't like A8's?
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Lol is this thread serious?
- Performance - mk2 (unless r32)
- Handling - mk2
- Easiness to live with - mk2 (you won't have to constantly worry you're driving a whale)
- Fun Factor - mk2
- Maintenence, servicing and repairs - mk2 do it all yourself parts are cheap
- Possibly modifying if the funds allow - mk2 see above
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All cars need consumables replaced.
Audi's certainly to go on for longer without any significant repairs, more than can be said for golfs.
I would be surprised if you could find enough Audi 100's to work on, very rare!!
That A8 in your link is expensive considering the mileage, i paid the same for mine 2.5 years ago with nearly half the mileage.
At least it won't rust like a golf.
Mine's 21 in February and having taken the rear bumper off to do some work and thanks to the cnut who's stolen one of the rear arch mouldings I can see that the body is rust free :smiley:
What it boils down to is horses for courses. I'd happily pick the keys up for the Golf over a new Mondeo or 407 any day. Biased I know but driving either of them after the Golf is like riding Susan Boyle through town like a little donkey. Awful.
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i'd have a mk4 as a daily, probably have a mk2 as a "toy" car, oak green, big bumpers, keep the 16v engine, always liked the inlet manifold :lipsrsealed: :smug:
mk4's are getting on for 10 years or older, so bushes will need doing on any car,
mk2's are probably better round the corners on the limit, but i found my mk4 to be easy to drive fast, if not flat out.
@ motorpsycho if you do the servicing and maintence yourself, only the parts would be decisive, i haven't found the mk4 to be that expensive for parts, i guess a mk2 is cheaper for parts being older, and having next to no sensors
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All cars need consumables replaced.
Audi's certainly to go on for longer without any significant repairs, more than can be said for golfs.
I would be surprised if you could find enough Audi 100's to work on, very rare!!
That A8 in your link is expensive considering the mileage, i paid the same for mine 2.5 years ago with nearly half the mileage.
At least it won't rust like a golf.
Mine's 21 in February and having taken the rear bumper off to do some work and thanks to the cnut who's stolen one of the rear arch mouldings I can see that the body is rust free :smiley:
What it boils down to is horses for courses. I'd happily pick the keys up for the Golf over a new Mondeo or 407 any day. Biased I know but driving either of them after the Golf is like riding Susan Boyle through town like a little donkey. Awful.
I meant the A8 won't rust, it can't rust, it aluminium.
Mk2's are made out very good quality steel. Other vw's of that time were also extremely durable.
The only difference with the steel bodied Audi's was they were using galvanised panels, not sure what year?
Many makes, not just vw's suffered from rust problems in the mid/late 90's, i think Mercs were somewhat suspect.
I think most people would rather pick up a golf rather than a mundeo :grin:
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i have drove both i own a mk2 wins hands down every time it has more character
about it and handling is a hell of alot better then a mk4
i have also had a audi 80 coupe that well made i could not get the door panels off
cracking car wish i never sold it
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i have drove both i own a mk2 wins hands down every time it has more character
about it and handling is a hell of alot better then a mk4
i have also had a audi 80 coupe that well made i could not get the door panels off
cracking car wish i never sold it
Had a couple of 80 coupes and they were awesome motors. Crap off the line but once they were rolling they were monsterously quick. Just couldn't afford to keep the last one on the road, especially as it was costing nearly £350 in fuel alone! Do miss them though, especially the Mad Max style five cylinder warble of the 2.3
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Had a couple of 80 coupes and they were awesome motors. Crap off the line but once they were rolling they were monsterously quick. Just couldn't afford to keep the last one on the road, especially as it was costing nearly £350 in fuel alone! Do miss them though, especially the Mad Max style five cylinder warble of the 2.3
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Better when then slapped a turbo on them :laugh: :laugh:
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Peej your power hungry. More than me infact.
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i wish i had a s2 80 coupe look like awesome motors nearly bought one
always on piston heads with about 350-400bhp
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mk4 golf all day, cruise control, air con and a host of other creature comforts, you can sort out the handling with some coilovers
for about 200 quid and a remap would take a 1.8T around 200bhp which a mk2 valver will never see without a couple of grand!!
As for problems, i think you'll find a quick google question will find someone who has already had the problem before!!
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mk4 golf all day, cruise control, air con and a host of other creature comforts, you can sort out the handling with some coilovers
for about 200 quid and a remap would take a 1.8T around 200bhp which a mk2 valver will never see without a couple of grand!!
As for problems, i think you'll find a quick google question will find someone who has already had the problem before!!
Power to weight though.............
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The mk2 16v isn't that fast, can't speak for the G60...
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The mk2 16v isn't that fast, can't speak for the G60...
Depends if its chucking out 180 odd bhp or not.... :grin:
I reckon that much power in a Mk2 would wallop 200brake in the bloater any day :laugh:
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The mk2 16v isn't that fast, can't speak for the G60...
Depends if its chucking out 180 odd bhp or not.... :grin:
I reckon that much power in a Mk2 would wallop 200brake in the bloater any day :laugh:
1.8t will have more torque so whilst the valver might get of the line quicker, the 1.8t I am sure would soon catch it.
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The mk2 16v isn't that fast, can't speak for the G60...
Depends if its chucking out 180 odd bhp or not.... :grin:
I reckon that much power in a Mk2 would wallop 200brake in the bloater any day :laugh:
As would an R32 smoke a G60...... :tongue: :tongue:
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The mk2 16v isn't that fast, can't speak for the G60...
Depends if its chucking out 180 odd bhp or not.... :grin:
I reckon that much power in a Mk2 would wallop 200brake in the bloater any day :laugh:
1.8t will have more torque so whilst the valver might get of the line quicker, the 1.8t I am sure would soon catch it.......
...and sail off into the nearest field as it tried to keep up on the first bend
:grin:
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you can sort out the handling with some coilovers for about 200 quid and a remap would take a 1.8T around 200bhp which a mk2 valver will never see without a couple of grand!!
I often wonder why these motorsport outfits spend thousands on developing handling when a £200 set of coilovers will sort it out.
The point of a Golf2 is that it doesn't need 200bhp - a Golf2 170bhp valver will show a Golf4 1.8T with 200bhp its arse in pretty short shrift.
As would an R32 smoke a G60......
Might struggle when wrestling with the comparable Golf2 though - a Limited - 4WD and 215bhp. Yes I appreciate that there weren't many of them made, but they are out there and it's a reasonable comparison.
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A set of coilovers do wonders for the mk 4 battle barges "made to be more executive" handling.. not saying its better than
a well sorted mk2 mind....
As for the r32, pretty sure they had 241 bhp?!!
What we need is a top gear feature where they are given £1500 quid for a car and an extra £500 to modify it then do the old
quarter mile, lap of the track then the comedy random tasks!!! I reckon that'd be worth a watch!! :laugh: :laugh:
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What we need is a top gear feature where they are given £1500 quid for a car and an extra £500 to modify it then do the old
quarter mile, lap of the track then the comedy random tasks!!! I reckon that'd be worth a watch!! :laugh: :laugh:
Didn't they do that a while back with an Espace or something?
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That was to prove doing up cars is a waste of money as it can't beat an evo. But I think they went arround it the wrong way
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yeah that feature made sense, Lets try and make a car that no one would modify for obvious reasons and
see if it will go faster than an evo..... if they had chucked all that money at a mk1 they would of made it a closer
competition!! was fun to watch though although that feature doesn't really sound like a "mk2 gti vs mk4 gti"....
close though...... :rolleyes: