Thinking about buying a Mk 4 1.8T soon

[Ludford]

Thinking of buying a Mk4 1.8T soon. Have messed about with Imprezas, Volvos with massive turbos slapped on them and just need something sensible now.

Was looking for some kind of buying guide but couldn't find one. Are there any years to look out for with better/worse engines? Anything else to look out for on the car?

As for the more power front, will want about 200hp. Which I am guessing will just be a better flowing intake, better flowing exhaust and a remap. Is the stock ECU remappable?

And finally, can you mess about with boost controllers on these cars or is the ECU too overprotective, so any boost increases have to be done via ECU?

Thanks for any replies.

[dom]

Buying guide:

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=38557.0

Engine code info:

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=89491.0

Remap info:

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=40194.0

All of the above links can be found in the mk4 maintainence + info section.

In a nutshell early engines e.g. AGU have a large port head and KO3 turbo which hits it's limit at ~190bhp, later engines AUM/AUQ have small port heads and KO3s turbo which with the correct mods will see ~230bhp.

To hit 200bhp you'll need a KO3s turbo and a remap, nothing else is needed and the stock ECU is easily remappable.

You can fit a MBC but it's completely unnecessary, the N75 valve does a perfectly good job of regulating boost.

HTHs

[Ludford]

Thanks for the info. I'll pay a bit more for a newer model then to get the later engine code if it's better. Are AUMs and AUQs only after 2002? I noticed the AUQ has more horspower from factory, but is it a better engine?

Concidering this and another car at the moment. A Clio 182. The Clio seems more designed as a hot hatch with it's emphesis on handling, light weight and 2 doors. But because it's NA it's 180hp and it's going to STAY 180hp (unless you have deep pockets). Whereas turbo cars can be modded much easier.

Can anyone tell me how good a golf with 200hp is going to be around corners? Are the stock shocks any good or would after market make it much better?

[dom]

Thanks for the info. I'll pay a bit more for a newer model then to get the later engine code if it's better. Are AUMs and AUQs only after 2002? I noticed the AUQ has more horspower from factory, but is it a better engine?

Concidering this and another car at the moment. A Clio 182. The Clio seems more designed as a hot hatch with it's emphesis on handling, light weight and 2 doors. But because it's NA it's 180hp and it's going to STAY 180hp (unless you have deep pockets). Whereas turbo cars can be modded much easier.

Can anyone tell me how good a golf with 200hp is going to be around corners? Are the stock shocks any good or would after market make it much better?

Generally AUM/AUQ are 2000 onwards, as far as I know the engine are the same it's just the ecu map that is different. AUQ comes with a 6 speed box, 312mm front and 256mm vented rear discs so it's a slightly better spec.

Stock handling is pretty poor, a set of decent springs/shocks some upgraded bushes and anti roll bars help. You have to remember that it's quite a heavy car so is never going to be as nimble through the corners as a clio sport