1.8T Gti - buyers guide??

[mowgli]

This post is really handy, i am looking to buy one in the very near future, if I can sell my Mondeo Ghia X that is...I know, its a fraud, but it was the right price etc etc.  The bugger is I sold an excellent Mk3 GTi to pay for it (M reg, Chilli red 3 dr with 75K on the clock, FSH + bills and MOTS, brakes and dampers changed etc etc,  :'(  )

Anyway, what are the 1.8 20V's like, I had that engine in an A4 and it had to be worked to get it move...

[8vgti]

Sounds like a fair price, but my other half is expecting so i'm getting rid of astra coupe to release some cash.  Looking to spend approx 6k on next car - T/V Plate 1.8T with higher then av miles.

There's a few about too, which is good.

I commute to Swindon and back each day so need economy.  At a steady 75 - 80 mph cruise, reckon i should be getting 35 - 38mpg from a golf.

Would have thought that mpg was achievable BUT depends what time you commute to and from Swindon, as I commute from Cheltenham to Swindon during rush hour and average about 32-34 mpg a month in a Mk3 8v GTI. If there was no ither traffic on the road it would be fine!!

[DaveG]

I work 10am - 6pm (work hours designed to avoid school & rush hour traffic).  Therefore, seldom any hold ups (apart from at the air balloon end).

The 'safety camera' (read:  cash cow) has also caught me recently, so i now cruise at 75mph all the time.

I've only ever driven one 1.8T and that was a V-Plate when it was brand new.  I seem to remember a lot of low down responsiveness, and a quick car.  However, the turbo unit must be quite small and run out of puff pretty quick as it's got a pretty slow 0-60 time @ 8.5 seconds.

My observation was the opposite of mowgli's A4 experience - golf seemed spirited at low revs but lacks at higher.

No doubt a current and experienced 1.8T driver could give a more accurate response........  

[Rally_Chris]

To answer a couple of questions....

With all respect to the non turbo GTI owners, they really aren't the same car as a 1.8T. The 1.8 20v (98-99) and 2.0 8v (99-03) models were sold in the UK as GTI models but were built as the European 'Highline' model.

Taking the 1.8 20v as an example, it may have only 25 bhp less than the 1.8 Turbo, but the peak torque is proportionally much less so the drive is completely different. Power really means nothing when it comes to driveability of the car -  to get the power out of the 1.8 20v the engine has to be revved, whereas the 1.8T has ample torque low down and there's no need to thrash it and this makes for a more relaxed drive.

To illustrate the torque point, the 2.0 8v unit which replaced the 1.8 20v in later models may have 10bhp less than the 1.8 but actually generates similar torque and there is no deficit in performance (over the 1.8 20v) despite the lower power figure.

With the 1.8T you also get sports suspension and 16" wheels as standard, whereas the highline has the same ride height and suspension setup as a 1.4/1.6 base model, on 15" wheels - again the drive is completely different (I've driven both!). You'll also get Recaro interior as standard on a pre 2001 model GTI turbo, and limitless tuning potential if 150bhp/210Nm isn't enough for you.

I'd recommend the 1.8T to anyone - I'm not saying that the 1.8/2.0 GTI is a bad car in any way, but don't be fooled into thinking they are the same car!