GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Topic started by: Madone_si on 29 March 2005, 13:40
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Hi all
After a long time of thinking of what Mk golf to buy (even though of getting a beetle - tried one and was put off) I now want to get a Mk4 golf. Can you please tell me what area's to look out for on the Mk4 golf when buying?
I'm looking at 1.9TDI and v6 4 motion model. If you think these is any other spec's I should be looking at please tell me. I want power, but must be good on petrol - even might go the LPG route.
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Can I be rude and to the point and ask what your budget is??!!
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The 1.8T is well worth it, (especially the 180bhp Anniversary if you can afford it). Fuel Consumption is not too bad (better than the V6) Have you also considered the Audi S3?
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Budget is £10k - don't like the Audi S3 - want a golf. What spec is the 1.8T golf? (Is that 20v lump? - that everyone wants to put in Mk2 or Mk1?)
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All 1.8T's are 20v, 4 cylinder. Most of them are 150bhp, except the anniversary which is 180bhp (different turbo, different ECU map).
There is also the non-turbo 1.8 20v - which I've got (125bhp).
Yep - its the lump everyone wants in their Mk1's or 2's. :cool:
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Yes mate, the 1.8T 20v is the lump of choice for the modders at the moment.
Topher is out resident man of knowledge regarding this lump, as his own 1.8t is nicely tuned putting out over 200bhp (thats the car he has in addition to his rather beautiful Rallye, the b4stard)
As standard these come in 150 and 180bhp flavours, but they are popular because they are sooooo tuneable.
Diesel will obviously be considerably better in terms of fuel, and if you can stretch to a hot PD version you will be waving bye-bye to anything that isn't wearing an R32 badge if mine was anything to go by.
Just budgest a few hundred quid for coilovers, as stodgy handling is its achillies heel (although the level of mechnical grip is high, its just a bit boaty)
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cool - so the 1.8T is better than the vr6 4 motion version then? S11EPS - is that red car for real? It's left hand drive..... very cool though - what's that powering? I had a race with one of thoses last year with my Nissian Skyliner, the drive wasn't happy with me...
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The 1.8T is a cracking engine - its quick in std form, is very tuneable, and when driven sensibly (with a moment or two of stupidity thrown in) quite economical.
It won't be as quick as a 4motion in standard form, but is capable of being tuned to that level. It won't be lugging around heavy Haldex 4wd system, so won't need much power increase to level power to weight ratio.
The PD engined diesels are very quick (especially when you consider they are diesels). Mine was a PD150 which, when rolling roaded clocked 186bhp (as standard). It was also the torquiest car there on the day, bar none (IIRC), which in real world driving meant that its fookn quick!! Obviously a diesel will be more economical too, and economy won't drop below 42-43 even if you drive like your hair is on fire (trust me, I should know!!!) Don't believe any of that 60-70mpg garbage - unless you drive like a funeral director you will never see that sort of economy, I don't think I ever saw over 55.
Yes, the red car is for real - its a left hooker, 348ts putting out about 300bhp. Its not stupidly, stupidly fast (its quick enough) but its the noise it makes whilst it does it :wink:
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thanks for the great feedback - it looks like the 1.8T is the model I'm looking for now... :) Love the car man, that is truely lovely - you luck B******d.. :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: - correct me if I am wrong here, you have three cars? I guess you love cars and speed them...!!!!!!!!
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No, just the two at the moment - I'm currently Golf-less, so it's the scoob and the Ferrari.
I am wiorking on getting some barn space sorted so I can investigate working on some project vehicles. I fancy a mark 1 running 16v power, possibly as a track day weapon.
I would love a peachy restored show mk 1 too, but a lack of space and money denies me!!!
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so can I be rude and ask what the cost of the ferrari was and what's it like to drive and run?
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I got the Ferrari from my dad, so I got a good deal. A decent reasonable mileage early 348ts left-hooker is worth about £23-25k. With Full History, low mileage, immac condition they will fetch late £20k's.
Mine should sit somewhere in between, around £27k I guess.
What's it like to drive? Awesome!! The best thing is, its challenging, which means you have to concentrate 110%, which, for me, means a better drive. It gets better the faster you go - it has no power steering (and has 255/40/18's on the front) so steering is v heavy at slow speeds. gearbox is stiff, so is throttle, so its a challenge to drive smotthly - but when you do, it's very rewarding. It's all worth it when you go under a bridge at 7,000rpm with the window open (ask jv :cool:)
Costs of running - best not to ask. I have had it since september 2004, and I have stopped counting bills at £4k.
However, that includes a service, new clucth (which was nearly £2k because release bearing and flywheel were knackered etc) loads of little trim bits, electrics, new battery, new Clifford alram etc. I have thrown cash at it to get it how I want. I'm guessing (hoping) next years running costs should be limited to an anuual service only (around £600 + VAT).
I was hoping to bring it to Newark on Sunday but I have discovered a broken windscreen over the weekend, so I may not have a windscreen in time (I want to use genuine horsey-marked glass, so if Autoglass won't use genuine stuff I'll have to source myself).
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Nice thread - hijack, guys :wink:
S11EPS, will be nice to have a looksie at your scoob anyway (if I make it up to Newark!) :cool:
I'm currently eyeing up an Audi S3, but I'll need to save up a bit! :tongue:
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as a 1.8 GTI T 150 bhp driver i can recommend this model as per the rest of the guys here....the only thing I've done is get a milltek exhaust system and getting new dump valve next week, thus far my car has not been chipped. its still really good fun to drive and my run to work which is about 30 mins on th motorway when cruising at 75mph gives u a good 38mpg so pretty good i think u'll agree !!
love the Ferrari, sounds like it costs a bit more than i can afford to maintain tho !! :smiley:
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Still not seen your golf yet, Flipmode, despite seeing YOU a couple of times since you got it!... hows about you get yo' ass to Newark next weekend and I have a wee look and I can listen to that new Milltek rumble :cool:
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The 1.8t is great and mine is chipped making it more fun. I must say i'm eyeing up a 1.8t anni so why not get yourself i bit more cash (sometimes easier said than done) and get yourself one of these limited edition beauties :wink:
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Sorry Richy, can't make Newark, I'm up in Newcastle on business trip so the golf will be all quite on the driveway for about a week !! planning on getting dump valve when i get back, then no more car maintenance until May (i hope) when need service with brake pads and discs replacing. tho i do have a bit of a clunking sound coming from underneath at back somewhere (not exhaust), which might mean suspension probs??
anyhow, still can't believe not shown u my golf, I've been so slack, we'll def meet up soon tho !! :wink:
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I've starting looking already and there are so many good mk4's out there, I think the 1.8T 20V is calling - I'll go for standard spec and then plan on getting it boosted to 200BHP, but due to driving alot, I'm going to have to go the LPG route as well - both then I can have both power and fuel improvement at the same time... :) (Not too sure about TDI now.... - will have to test drive some Mk4's this weekend)
thanks again all for your feedback.
I can't believe the Ferrari don't have power steering, that has got to hurt....
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Don't discount the diesels until you've had a go - if a lot of your miles are top gear/cruising miles then the PD will be considerably quicker than the 1.8T. Whilst not AS tuneable, you can easily get 200bhp out of a PD150, which will then have well over 300 lb ft of torque. In terms of real world driving (in gear acceleration) it will be very quick indeed.
Low speed stuff without PAS is hard work in the Fezza, but once on the move the steering weight and feel are just about perfect.
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Sorry Richy, can't make Newark, I'm up in Newcastle on business trip so the golf will be all quite on the driveway for about a week !! planning on getting dump valve when i get back, then no more car maintenance until May (i hope) when need service with brake pads and discs replacing. tho i do have a bit of a clunking sound coming from underneath at back somewhere (not exhaust), which might mean suspension probs??
anyhow, still can't believe not shown u my golf, I've been so slack, we'll def meet up soon tho !!  :wink:
clunking probably just bushes, wouldn't worry too much
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Don't discount the diesels until you've had a go - if a lot of your miles are top gear/cruising miles then the PD will be considerably quicker than the 1.8T. Whilst not AS tuneable, you can easily get 200bhp out of a PD150, which will then have well over 300 lb ft of torque. In terms of real world driving (in gear acceleration) it will be very quick indeed.
Low speed stuff without PAS is hard work in the Fezza, but once on the move the steering weight and feel are just about perfect.
I won't I'm testing driving TDI 150 on sat morning and 1.8T afterwards. I tried to see if I could get a test drive of a new Mk5 GTi - no luck, but have put my name on list - be about 4-5 weeks as there is only a few Mk5 Gti with VW at mo.
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The 1.8T boys are going to hate me for saying this, but in my opinion I think you will find a standard 1.8T very flat after a PD150.
The petrol engined one will always feel and sound faster (because you're getting to rev it!) but just watch the speedo - or feel it shove you back in your seat at 100mph+
A straight out drage race may favour the 1.8T, but under normal driving conditions it will be convincingly beaten by a PD150
Sorry :embarassed:
Let us know how you get on, will be really interested to hear someone elses back to back test drive findings.
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I've already driven a Seat Leon TDI150 and I have to say that was F**king fast up to 80Mph, really lovely in 2 and 3rd gears, pulled very smoothly but fast. I nearly bought one, but the rear end on the car really put me off, so come on Sat for the Mk4 Golf challange.
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I have to agree with s11eps.I owned the 1.8t 150 for 2 years,loved it.I live in yorkshire and surf the SW too much for my liking
so changed to the PD 150.. Never stopped smiling since.Totally blew me away and more mpg to boot.. :rolleyes:
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I can't wait now until Saturday. What upgrades can you do to a PD 150? Any idea's on companies can speak too?
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Firstly, the PD150 is nototious for over delivering powerwise.
Speak with anyone that rolling roads these, and they will tell you that most PD150's make mid/high 160's as standard. Many are in the 170's. Mine was rolling roaded at 186bhp at our rolling road day at AMD last year. Mine was a totally standard car, never fettled/fiddled with, just well looked after and fastdiously maintained at local stealership.
In terms of what you can do tuning wise, it follows a path similar to that of the 1.8t. Re-map and exhaust will give you around 200bhp. Beyond that, you're looking at turbo upgrades etc, which is where the cost/power gain ratio beomes very steep!
In terms of cost, AMD will charge you (approx):
£500 for remap only (should give 195bhp)
£1000 for remap and miltek exhaust (should nudge you over 200bhp)
£2250 for remap, exhaust and hybrid blower (power ITRO 240bhp)
Bare in mind that the torque these engines produce will be far in excess of the equivalent capacity petrol engine. Stage 1 remap will give you 300lb ft, which is a lot! In-gear performance will be mind-blowing.
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I like the sound of a 200+  :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:
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160/170 180,s standard!!!!! I need to find a rolling road...When I test drove this I went back over the route in my 1.8t,I did,nt want to believe it but the 1.8t def seemed slower,even the mrs agreed..I just shrink in my seat when I floor it and darkness descends on the world behind me... :embarassed: