mk3 Gti better than Mk4?

[Overseer]

make sure you get on an open road when u test it.. and remember you can stay in gear longer with a valver.. keep the revs up

[Golfer]

Depends on what Mk4 variant you compare the Mk3 to.

2.0 Mk4 GTi is underpowered - same engine as Mk3 8v but much heavier car, so feels even slower than Mk3 8v!

1.8 non Turbo Mk4 GTi 125BHP was made only for a year or so, and is not very good - my mate has one and it really seems sluggish - high revving but no guts.

1.8T Gti Mk4 - pretty good I think - 150BHP, nice package although I've never driven one.   I reckon the 150BHP TDi would probably be better...

V5 / V6 4 Motion - never driven / been in, but reckon they must be pretty good.

[Overseer]

the 4 motion is a very quick car.


there are 2 'v5' models. the older one is slower than a mk3 16v.. the newer one (post 2002 i think) is quicker... something like 150 bhp vs 180 bhp. i believe a similar thing happened with 1.8t's.

the general rule with mk4s is... if its got 3 rear headrests its quick, otherwise its not

[LostBok]

Older V5's are 150bhp, but the newer ones (jan2001  manufacture onwards)have 170bhp..... almost the same as the Mk3 VR6!

4 motion is quick and the R32 is frightening.... well it certainly is if it's had any tweaking! 

Stay away from the NA Mk4 GTi's... 1.8T / 1.9Tdi all the way... both are very tweakable too!

[Overseer]

whats the deal with 1.8t's.. i thought they got a power boost around the same time too?

[Omar]

I have to agree with Overseers opinions on the 16v and cant seem to bring myself to get a new car at the mo, am loving it!

I have been looking tho, at the mk4s. 'Tophuh' who hang out in the mk4 section, certainly knows his stuff. I'm sure he'll be happy to answer any of your questions. He helped point me in the right direction.

[redcarboy]

For only 10mph top end difference on the book between the 16v and 8v mk3 golf thats why i bought the 8v misguided you might say? but if you want to go fast you have to buy a bike and what with vwsystems campaign about speed cameras cropping up everywhere there seems little point owning a fast car as you wont be able soon to:-

A:-Afford the petrol 
B:-Afford the insurance
C:-Drive like a maniac without securing a conviction and points or ban :'(

On the subject of the mk4 golf seems to me like a bit of a nothing car no real shape /personality  too many grannny's/grandads driving them about whatever the engine size at least the mk3 had some of the mk2 life left in it by  VW and they still have plenty of shelf life left in them yet how many mk1 and 2 are you gonna see about in lets say 10 yrs apart from show cars.The mk3 will be verging on collectable status by then and vW will prob not exist at the rate they are going the mark 5 the last of the line or so the rumor mongers say? oh dear 

[Overseer]

what does the top end speed matter when its rarely used?

you could say the same about the vr6.. theres only a 5 mph difference at the top end between it and the 16v.



a.. feeling the pinch running optimax

b.. 16v isnt too bad compared to the 8v.. had the '6 insurance been that low i'd have one of those

c.. i'm not a maniac and even i think i just narrowly missed getting caught.

i hate speed cameras.. i'm a bigger supporter of those ones that flash near a dangerous corner if they think you're going a bit quick..  thats what you need!.. stronger warnings!



i'm not sure many will agree the mk3 will be collectable.. i'm almost tempted to not get rid of it ever.. and in the years to come get a 2 seater as well

[redcarboy]

Fair point about the top end speed but until you reach 70mph arn't they fairly evenly matched may be wrong on this ?

A:-Yes optimax killin me 88.9p a litre scandalous

B:- Same here there was a vr6 for sale for 5k with 109k on the clock but just not able to afford the insurance with 2yrs ncb the future beckons.

No mk4 comment staying clear of that one eh. 

[Len]

I agree with the Mad Count - i think the Mk4 is a Granny car. Its got that fat rump look.
I certainly will never buy a Mk4.
My Mk3 has got all i want, air-con and ABS plus the power to drive fast when road conditions allow.

There are plenty of roads out there that will never have cameras on them and they are the most fun to drive on.

Is Optimax really worth it? Does it have a higher octane rating?
I use injection cleaner every 4th fill up so whats the advantage?