Mk3 golf vs mk4 reliability issues

[SoundillusioN]

''comfortable and refined'' More like vague and wallowy. As soon as you change from the OEM struts and springs the drive is transformed, even without smacking it with the lowering stick.

I didn't say VW did it right. 

I've spent more money on maintaining the Mk4 in 6 months than I did on the mk3 in my 18 months of ownership.

And I still need to change the arb bushes & top mounts

Kinda fits in with the comments regarding older cars having less to go wrong. More things to look after on a more modern car too.

[bobbarley]

Things like top mounts and bushes are just wear and tear though, things like that always need replacing over time.

I've never owned a mk3, so can't comment, but have been very happy with the mk4.  The waterpump went the other year, but it's a pretty common fault, so I had it coming to be honest.  Door module broke too, had to get a new one.

That aside she's been very good.  Just old age wear and tear of the rubber parts.  I think it's the luck of the draw as to what you end up getting.

[SoundillusioN]

Things like top mounts and bushes are just wear and tear though, things like that always need replacing over time.

I've never owned a mk3, so can't comment, but have been very happy with the mk4.  The waterpump went the other year, but it's a pretty common fault, so I had it coming to be honest.  Door module broke too, had to get a new one.

That aside she's been very good.  Just old age wear and tear of the rubber parts.  I think it's the luck of the draw as to what you end up getting.

Yes....... I certainly wouldn't buy DH's off him when he's done with his.  

[tdi_blu]

Like all Golfs you get good and bad ones if your unlucky enough to buy a dog then the old German relaibilty goes out the window.If you get a decent one both cars are super relaible,for me I wouldnt go back to a mk3 after owning my mk4 as im older now and the mk4 suits my needs better but both are good cars.

[danny_p]

depends what model IMO

i know of mk3's with mega miles i know of mk4's with mega miles.   mk3 's have had more rot issues by a long way ut there older

[VeeDubGTI16v]

mk3's are better built than mk4's, less snap fit clips etc. mk3's and corrado's are probably the last of the well built vw's really, with the peak being the mk2 obviously 

as mk4's have more equipment there's more to go wrong!

[Bellend]

My MK3 cost me £50.

I've done about 20K miles and it's needed a throttle cable and that was all.

Top mounts and brakes have all been changed along with needing suspension bushes but that's down to the fact it's lowered a lot.

[SoundillusioN]

My MK3 cost me £50.

I've done about 20K miles and it's needed a throttle cable and that was all.

Top mounts and brakes have all been changed along with needing suspension bushes but that's down to the fact it's lowered a lot.

That's not a GTI though is it? Could it be more reliable because of this?

[Bellend]

My MK3 cost me £50.

I've done about 20K miles and it's needed a throttle cable and that was all.

Top mounts and brakes have all been changed along with needing suspension bushes but that's down to the fact it's lowered a lot.

That's not a GTI though is it? Could it be more reliable because of this?

What with me and the previous owner being young and doing a lot of motorway journeys in it?

Probably had it's nuts thrashed off it for about the last 40K I'd imagine. Well serviced though.

I personally just let it warm up before going over 2k and only take it up to 5k as it's pointless revving it anymore as the power just drops. (Yes I know it's a 1.6).

THAT said, you may have a point as although it does look more complicated, it's a pretty damned simple MPi lump, far simpler then the 8v GTI lump so yeah, you could be right.

[danny_p]

you mean it dosent make enough power or go fast enough to actualy stress any of the components.