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Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Topic started by: MarkRobson1989 on 14 May 2014, 16:02

Title: VW Golf MK4 - TDi 150 or GTi 150?
Post by: MarkRobson1989 on 14 May 2014, 16:02
So I've been thinking about getting a new car lately and I've decided it has to be a MK4 Golf, only problem is deciding on which one – a TDi 150 or a GTi 150. At the risk of causing an argument – which one would should I go for?

Any help would be appreciated, especially coming from those that own/have owned either of these cars in either 3 door or 5 door and also advice on upgrades would be awesome – I’m pretty sure I can get the power up to around 200bhp on either which is fine so upgrades in terms of handling and braking are what I’m after.

Any feed back or advice would be appreciated!

Cheers,

Mark
Title: Re: VW Golf MK4 - TDi 150 or GTi 150?
Post by: dom on 14 May 2014, 16:07
It all boils down to how many miles you do?
Title: Re: VW Golf MK4 - TDi 150 or GTi 150?
Post by: MarkRobson1989 on 14 May 2014, 16:32
Between work and the girlfriend's house its around 10,000+
Title: Re: VW Golf MK4 - TDi 150 or GTi 150?
Post by: dom on 14 May 2014, 17:30
For me it'd be the 1.8T every day then, you're not doing mega miles.
Title: Re: VW Golf MK4 - TDi 150 or GTi 150?
Post by: MarkRobson1989 on 14 May 2014, 18:31
Thanks, I've swaying towards the 1.8T  :smiley: I've heard the handling could be better on the MK4, any ideas as to how to improve it?

Also, I've been thinking an engine and gearbox rebuild might be a good idea as the MK4s I've been looking at have over 100,000 miles on the clock and are over 10 years old. Any thoughts?
Title: Re: VW Golf MK4 - TDi 150 or GTi 150?
Post by: barrym381 on 14 May 2014, 19:27
Thanks, I've swaying towards the 1.8T  :smiley: I've heard the handling could be better on the MK4, any ideas as to how to improve it?

Also, I've been thinking an engine and gearbox rebuild might be a good idea as the MK4s I've been looking at have over 100,000 miles on the clock and are over 10 years old. Any thoughts?
mileage means nothing on a mk4 if its been looked after have owned cars with near 200k on the clock that have looked an drove better than mk4s with less than half that  :smiley:
Title: Re: VW Golf MK4 - TDi 150 or GTi 150?
Post by: dom on 14 May 2014, 19:54
Thanks, I've swaying towards the 1.8T  :smiley: I've heard the handling could be better on the MK4, any ideas as to how to improve it?

Also, I've been thinking an engine and gearbox rebuild might be a good idea as the MK4s I've been looking at have over 100,000 miles on the clock and are over 10 years old. Any thoughts?

As long as they've been serviced correctly it won't need an engine rebuild, the gearboxes are pretty solid as well.

As for handling, decent spring/shock combo, R32 hubs/subframe/wishbones/steering rack, S3 lower braces, uprated front & rear arb's all help. It all depends how much money you want to spend.
Title: Re: VW Golf MK4 - TDi 150 or GTi 150?
Post by: Wayne on 14 May 2014, 21:27
For 10k a year, 1.8t would be my choice.

Mileage means nothing if it has been looked after they will go on for ages.
Title: Re: VW Golf MK4 - TDi 150 or GTi 150?
Post by: Rhyso on 14 May 2014, 21:42
I'm lol'ing  :grin: :grin:
Title: Re: VW Golf MK4 - TDi 150 or GTi 150?
Post by: dom on 14 May 2014, 21:59
I'm lol'ing  :grin: :grin:

At???
Title: Re: VW Golf MK4 - TDi 150 or GTi 150?
Post by: Rhyso on 14 May 2014, 22:03
10,000 miles is a fair distance

Add into that he has to spend a fortune to get the thing to go around corners tidy. Then there are all the common faults with the 1.8T  :whistle:

To the OP - If you want a 1.8T though buy Nino's; he's already spent the money on the car for you  :wink:

But it is over priced  :whistle:
Title: Re: VW Golf MK4 - TDi 150 or GTi 150?
Post by: MarkRobson1989 on 15 May 2014, 10:39
What about braking? Instead of going for a big break package I was thinking of upgrading the discs, pads, hoses and also using a higher grade brake fluid. Any advice?
Title: Re: VW Golf MK4 - TDi 150 or GTi 150?
Post by: dom on 15 May 2014, 13:05
OEM brakes are fine unless you're running big power, a 312mm upgrade is pretty easy for the front. Then just Pagid or similar for discs/pads, no need for a higher grade fluid.

10,000 miles is a fair distance

Add into that he has to spend a fortune to get the thing to go around corners tidy. Then there are all the common faults with the 1.8T  :whistle:

To the OP - If you want a 1.8T though buy Nino's; he's already spent the money on the car for you  :wink:

But it is over priced  :whistle:

Nino's car is a good shout and I don't think it's really overpriced tbh.
Title: Re: VW Golf MK4 - TDi 150 or GTi 150?
Post by: MarkRobson1989 on 15 May 2014, 13:27
Just had a look at Nino's MK4, as good as it is I'd prefer to start from scratch and build a car for myself.

Ever used EBC pads/discs Dom? I've heard/read they're supposed to be pretty decent?
Title: Re: VW Golf MK4 - TDi 150 or GTi 150?
Post by: dom on 15 May 2014, 13:48
Not personally no, I've only just Pagid and Apec on mine, lots of people use EBC though so I'm sure people will give their feedback when they see this.
Title: Re: VW Golf MK4 - TDi 150 or GTi 150?
Post by: MarkRobson1989 on 15 May 2014, 14:29
How are they for fade and wear?

Also, can you shed some light on the exhausts that are available for the MK4? Turbo-back, cat-back, sport etc... totally lost on that one  :undecided:
Title: Re: VW Golf MK4 - TDi 150 or GTi 150?
Post by: boneybradley on 15 May 2014, 16:59
I know mines not a mk4 but I deal in ebc and have them fitted to my own "demo" and they are a real good upgrade for extra bite and less fade (I also run goodridge hoses which also help). A lot of people will say it's a pointless upgrade as std brakes are fine even with more power (especially with 312mm brakes)

Regarding exhausts, turbo back is as it says and usually includes a sports cat to free more power, cat back means you keep the restrictive std cat and it bolts to the back of that.

I will add, for suspension your best starting with replacing any part that are worn (the number of fancy lowering kits I sell where people don't want to fit new bushes to replace worn one's etc is shocking!)
b.t.w I do mk4 components and suspension update kits http://oemandmore.co.uk/suspension-and-steering-29-c.asp (http://oemandmore.co.uk/suspension-and-steering-29-c.asp) and lots more mk4 parts http://oemandmore.co.uk/golf-mk4-1j-13-c.asp (http://oemandmore.co.uk/golf-mk4-1j-13-c.asp)  :wink:
Title: Re: VW Golf MK4 - TDi 150 or GTi 150?
Post by: dom on 15 May 2014, 18:02
How are they for fade and wear?

Also, can you shed some light on the exhausts that are available for the MK4? Turbo-back, cat-back, sport etc... totally lost on that one  :undecided:

I don't drive the car hard enough for a long period to feel any fade.

The standard downpipe is extremely restrictive so it's common for people to upgrade it, if you know a friendly MOT tester then a decat is the way forwards, if not a decent sports cat.

As for catback systems - there are loads of aftermarket one available, I'm running a 2.5" Milltek  with a 3" downpipe/decat and I love it.
Title: Re: VW Golf MK4 - TDi 150 or GTi 150?
Post by: MarkRobson1989 on 16 May 2014, 11:33
Would an exhaust system like that give the same sound and performance on the tdi 150?