The dreaded dervs....

[Wurzel]

My 1.8 n/a is a major disappointment. Costs a lot in fuel for rubbish performance - the engine is pretty dull, doesnt involve you at all, and neither does the handling. Wish I'd gone for an Alfa 156 really.

They're not particularly renowned for handling & performance, either (unless they do a GTA in that model?? ).  I think they'll even more unreliable than a Mk4, though!!   

The N/A Golfs are pretty gutless, TBH.  The MPG is so sh*te because you have to rag the fook out of 'em to get anywhere, lol!    (Forced induction in either the good stuff or diesel, is the way to go, IMO). 

They have nice free-revving engines and the handling is at least involving unlike the Golf which feels like I'm driving a living room sofa around most of the time. Honestly, just when for another drive half an hour ago along some country roads, the steering is so dull, too light and slow, I get no feel for the road at all and the engine just bumbles along like it doesnt give a sh!t. Think I'm going to have to sell it pretty soon, after I've spend a few hundred getting suspension parts replaced and new tyres...

Maybe do some research and test drive your next car before you buy it 

I definitely will. You're right, I didn't do enough research. But I'm still really pissed off at VW for making such a car and having the cheek to label it GTI.

[richw911]

My 1.8 n/a is a major disappointment. Costs a lot in fuel for rubbish performance - the engine is pretty dull, doesnt involve you at all, and neither does the handling. Wish I'd gone for an Alfa 156 really.

They're not particularly renowned for handling & performance, either (unless they do a GTA in that model?? ).  I think they'll even more unreliable than a Mk4, though!!   

The N/A Golfs are pretty gutless, TBH.  The MPG is so sh*te because you have to rag the fook out of 'em to get anywhere, lol!    (Forced induction in either the good stuff or diesel, is the way to go, IMO). 

They have nice free-revving engines and the handling is at least involving unlike the Golf which feels like I'm driving a living room sofa around most of the time. Honestly, just when for another drive half an hour ago along some country roads, the steering is so dull, too light and slow, I get no feel for the road at all and the engine just bumbles along like it doesnt give a sh!t. Think I'm going to have to sell it pretty soon, after I've spend a few hundred getting suspension parts replaced and new tyres...

Maybe do some research and test drive your next car before you buy it 

I definitely will. You're right, I didn't do enough research. But I'm still really pissed off at VW for making such a car and having the cheek to label it GTI.

Try a mapped 1.8T or GTTDI
A 1.8T or GTTDI with a map and eibach spings is not at all a bad car IMO

Agree with you that the 1.8 N/A and 2.0 should not have been badged GTI 

[Wurzel]

Try a mapped 1.8T or GTTDI
A 1.8T or GTTDI with a map and eibach spings is not at all a bad car IMO

The problem I have with that is I could get a standard Focus, Alfa 156, or even a Seat Leon and it would handle better and I wouldnt have to lower it and spend a fortune on the suspension for it to be a nice drive. The VW premium doesnt really make too much sense to me when you have to then spend a fortune in money or time doing what VW should have done in the first place.

[Ivor Mk4 Turbo]

The only decent handling Mk4's out of the box, were the R's, sadly.

You can improve everything but the steering feel if you have enough disposable dollars!

Like Rich said, Eibach springs & things like a rear ARB, TT wishbone bushes, S3 lower & upper strut braces, R32/S3 steering rack etc can vastly improve the handling.

But is it worth doing all that on a 1.8 N/A, though??................  I think maybe not (IMO).

[Ivor Mk4 Turbo]

Try a mapped 1.8T or GTTDI
A 1.8T or GTTDI with a map and eibach spings is not at all a bad car IMO

The problem I have with that is I could get a standard Focus, Alfa 156, or even a Seat Leon and it would handle better and I wouldnt have to lower it and spend a fortune on the suspension for it to be a nice drive. The VW premium doesnt really make too much sense to me when you have to then spend a fortune in money or time doing what VW should have done in the first place.

Yup, they really messed up with the Mk3/4.  I think they learnt their lesson with the mk5, though!

Standard Mk5 GTI's are getting within range, now! 

[Wurzel]

If I had a lot of spare cash and really wanted to keep it I'd fit a TT steering rack, TT wishbone bushes and vRS rear axle bushes and some Koni shocks and Eibach springs. But I don't, unfortunately.

[ashw831]

so how much difference is there between the tdi's and a turbo petrol in fuel consuption, as i can see that the petrols are favored (also by me for tuning possibilities ) and they are cheaper to buy.

My 1.8 n/a is a major disappointment. Costs a lot in fuel for rubbish performance - the engine is pretty dull, doesnt involve you at all, and neither does the handling. Wish I'd gone for an Alfa 156 really.

They're not particularly renowned for handling & performance, either (unless they do a GTA in that model?? ).  I think they'll even more unreliable than a Mk4, though!!   

The N/A Golfs are pretty gutless, TBH.  The MPG is so sh*te because you have to rag the fook out of 'em to get anywhere, lol!    (Forced induction in either the good stuff or diesel, is the way to go, IMO). 

They have nice free-revving engines and the handling is at least involving unlike the Golf which feels like I'm driving a living room sofa around most of the time. Honestly, just when for another drive half an hour ago along some country roads, the steering is so dull, too light and slow, I get no feel for the road at all and the engine just bumbles along like it doesnt give a sh!t. Think I'm going to have to sell it pretty soon, after I've spend a few hundred getting suspension parts replaced and new tyres...

I think mine handles really well, i can keep up with most things on the winds (if they dont leave me on the flat) and i dont have a rear arb...yet

[Wurzel]

I think mine handles really well, i can keep up with most things on the winds (if they dont leave me on the flat) and i dont have a rear arb...yet

Try driving a standard Ford Focus. A far more interesting drive.

[Rhyso]

i get a MINIMUM of 500 miles from a tank

thats roughly 30% town driving, 70% dual carriage, A Roads etc

[AlanD]

My 1.8 n/a is a major disappointment. Costs a lot in fuel for rubbish performance

WTF where you expecting? 125bhp in a car that weighs 1.3tone (give or take) is never going to be fast . . . . . . .

I think mine handles really well, i can keep up with most things on the winds (if they dont leave me on the flat) and i dont have a rear arb...yet

? The MK4 in standard form DOES NOT handle well, I can only assume your not pushing hard enough, give it "real" beans and watch it understeer into a tree