GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: drivebycar on 16 September 2008, 12:02
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Now, I love mk2's and I have wanted one for ages and have had one for a while now. But, as usual, all it tends to do is cane my wallet, and is not proving to be as reliable as id hoped.
I had a mk3 for a while and it never let me down, never had anything go wrong apart from usual wear and tear type stuff, but then as soon as I get my dream mk2 gti 8v, the engine goes, so I get that rebuilt, and other things go and really its just not running right.
Which makes me think, should I get a mk4 tubby for the time being, and look into another mk2 when I have enough time and money to really get a good one....
Help please, :undecided:
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Lol, I'll let you know. I bought a Mk4, was a Mk2 owner. As soon as I drove the Mk4 off the forecourt, all hell broke lose. ECU lights, warnings, this and that. I should have listened to a few other Mk4 owners (not from this forum). I could have bought something reliable instead.
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lol great. There was me thinking VW's were reliable cars :laugh:
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What model of mk4 are you thinking about?
I went from mk4 1.6 to mk2, and although it is easier to drive round town etc, the mk2 is so much better in every other respect
I think mk2s are better built too :)
Far better on fuel too!
If you want a car to just get you to and from work calm, comfortable manner, then the mk4 is probably the better option, but if you enjoy driving then the mk2 is the way to go!
(obviously i can't comment on mk4 GTi's as I havent driven one, just the lower end models :) )
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I did too. Someone near me has had almost every sensor replaced on thiers, someone I used to work with had problems too, both Mk4's. Onces sorted, they may be alright, but it's the inconvenience it brings to us.
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I was thinking about a 1.8 T. Just because I have a 1.8 8v gti at the moment and love driving it about, so I wouldnt get anything slower. If I did get a mk4 it would definately be in line for a remap and a few subtle mods and just keep it fairly sensible really.
Whereas with the mk2, I was going to do engine conversion, probably to an ABF, then retrim the interior, full respray with new bumpers and g60 arches, some nice ronal LS rims, and go from there.
I was planning to put plenty of money into it and make my perfect car, but instead of letting me buy nice things for her, it keeps being a **** and making me pay for boring things like sensors, and water pumps, and head gaskets etc...
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If you want a solid mk4 think GT TDI, I've heard folk having 240,000miles on them and they're still going strong!
Good fuel economy yet still has the oomph! when you want it :D
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Pretty expensive to start off with tho, to be honest I would probably be looking to pick up a mk4 for between 2-4k really.
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Someone said the 1.8T is slower than the 1.8 16V - so there can't be much difference between a 1.8T and a 1.8 8V...
If you're going to spend 2-4k on a MK4 you might as well pour that cash into the MK2 to get it mint and get an engine conversion.
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Yeah i know, but I can buy a mk4, get it mapped and be done.
whereas the mk2 would be alot of work and although I would love it, seems ot be the harder option at the moment..
Hence my dilemma :undecided:
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Don't worry about the speed. My Mk4 isn't much slower or faster than my Mk2 16V.
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VW's make the most unreliable cars mate. MK4's being at the top of the list.
Take it from me. Im sick of mk4's due to their silly faults. Comfy cars though.
if you do still want a mk4 then get a Turbo. Petrol or deisel. The torque should keep you happy :smiley:
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I have the same problem mate! My valver is allways breaking down!! But a move to a newer car??? Nah! You MK4 Will depreciate all the money you sink into a remap will be lost! plus you will have to fund buying it in the first place. Old cars are a chore... But when they are on song!!!! They are ace. My mate at work has a 300 bhp Mk 4, Sure its quick but show it some corners and you have to be doing silly speeds to enjoy it!! My mk2 feels like a go kart all the time!! I love it!! :cool:
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Yeah I spose everyones right :smiley: Just its a fking pain in the arse!! Everytime I think all of the problems are sorted it does something else totally random that is really hard to track down...
Just wish I had someone in the know that lived near me!
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I sold my Mk4 1.8T to buy my 16v Mk2. Here was my first ever thread on the matter (ahh): http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=64094.0
After three years of 1.8T and one year of Mk2, here are my observations:
1) The 16v Mk2 is more or less exactly the same performance-wise as the standard 1.8T, up until about 70mph, then the turbo's torque and better aerodynamics of the Mk4 start to win the day.
2) Overall, far fewer things went wrong with the Mk4, but when they did it was much more money to fix, and as the average Mk4 is now getting a fair few miles under its belt, more and more things will start to go wrong. Also, as a DIY mechanic, there was much more on the Mk4 that I felt was out of my league.
3) The Mk4 was much more comfortable and quiet. Plus safety on the Mk2 is non-existent.
4) On standard suspension the Mk4 cornered badly IMO and was a bit of a pain around town - My wifes Focus is a lot "nippier" for example. On the other hand, the Mk4 felt 100% solid, and inspired confidence e.g. in torrential rain on the motorway, I didn't feel the need to slow down as it was so planted.
5) With the Mk2, because of its age, I often get "The Fear", e.g. if I have to do a very important trip, I'll get nervous about it letting me down. Interestingly, it has NEVER ONCE let me down, so this must just be a paranoia, but it means I often drive along with the MFA on "Oil Temp" etc, which is less relaxing than the Mk4.
6) No one (hardly) even looked at the Mk4, but I get flashes, waves, comments, conversations with strangers etc. since I've had the Mk2. I've even had someone come up and try and buy it off me!
7) Money! The Mk2 has saved me a fortune in just one year: between £1000 and £2000. Almost zero depreciation, no interest on a car loan, much cheaper parts, self maintenance and a hoard of second hand stuff on ebay has saved me a lot of money. Fuel is only slightly worse on the Mk2 too.
In hindsight I am very pleased with my decision to go with the Mk2 16v, mainly because I prefer the Mk2's style, but also because of the money side of things. Ignoring these two aspects, the two Mk's are on a par.
Hope that helped!
Dave
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Well thats that decided.
Mk2 it is.. Wahey !! :grin: