How to spot a 1.8T?

[bobbarley]

I'm going to look at some Golf's in the next week or two, I'm just wondering, is the different between the 1.8, 1.8T and 2.0 GTi obvious?  As far as I can tell they all say GTi at the back, how can I be sure the model I look at it the 1.8T?

Sorry if it's a stupid question, but I want to be sure 

[OutlawStar]

On the engine cover it will say 20v turbo, when you drive it you should be able to hear a whistling sound above 2k revs and a flutterish sort of sound when changing gear. The cars handbook should also inform you as to what engine it is. You can also look in the engine bay for the dv valve and the actual turbo itself. I'm sure there are more ways but its late and my brain has stopped working....i'm unsure as to weather the engine codes are different on the turbos maybe someone else could clear that up. Cosmeticaly there are no differences between them.

The badge on the back means sweet F A as the cars came unbadged and it was up to the dealers to badge them up, so there are alot of differnet badge combinations....there is a thread on that somewhere. sorry im not much help at this time of night

[richw911]

There is a white sticker in the boot which will tell you which engine you have and the power. 1.8 1.8T and 2.0 all have different engine codes. If unsure check the V5 document.

http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/thread/915357.aspx 

[TeddyKGB]

ref the badge thing,tbh I've only ever seen the GTI badge with a red "I" on the 1.8T (out of all the ones I've seen)

[richw911]

ref the badge thing,tbh I've only ever seen the GTI badge with a red "I" on the 1.8T (out of all the ones I've seen)

Yeah but as already said the dealers put the badges on randomly so the red I means nothing 

[ub7rm]

From the outside there is no reliable way to tell any of them apart, the turbo alloys were available as an option on the 2.0's etc etc.  I'm kindof P'd off as my mate has a 2.0 which looks more GTI than my 1.8T as he has the rear spoiler, has 16" monty's and a GTI badge on the front grille (which I don't).  He has the same all silver GTI badge on the back.  I do have leather recarros and monty 2's though.... 

I think there is something about the 1.8T being the only model with three headrests in the back?  That wood effect trim around the controls is a 1.8T only thing too.  I think some of the dervs have these things too but it should be easy to spot them!  Safest way is to make sure the engine output is 110 KW or more (110 KW = 150 bhp, not sure what KW the 180 bhp is?)

[bobbarley]

From the outside there is no reliable way to tell any of them apart, the turbo alloys were available as an option on the 2.0's etc etc.  I'm kindof P'd off as my mate has a 2.0 which looks more GTI than my 1.8T as he has the rear spoiler, has 16" monty's and a GTI badge on the front grille (which I don't).  He has the same all silver GTI badge on the back.  I do have leather recarros and monty 2's though.... 

I think there is something about the 1.8T being the only model with three headrests in the back?  That wood effect trim around the controls is a 1.8T only thing too.  I think some of the dervs have these things too but it should be easy to spot them!  Safest way is to make sure the engine output is 110 KW or more (110 KW = 150 bhp, not sure what KW the 180 bhp is?)

Oh yes, I checked the white label in the boot and it said 110KW 

[MaXXeH]

mine is a turbo and i dont have a red i

[AlanD]

PLEASE NOT THE RED "I" TALK AGAIN, PELASE NOT AGAIN !

Just pop the boot open and you will see the diffrence, theres a nice little turbo sitting south of the engine. Im pretty certain that all the 2.0 GTi have a big "2.0" stamp on the engine cover.

As many people have said, physically there isnt anything between them.