Thinking of getting a Mk3 or 4 GTI. Advice welcome

[kPATm]

Hello. Well my previous car was written off a few weeks ago :angry:so Im on the look out for another car. I have always liked the idea of owning a Golf GTI so it seems that now could be my chance to have one Im looking to maybe get a Mk3 or a Mk4

I have about £1500 to spend. Basicaly Im looking at what I need to watch out for when buying on of these cars and also what model is prefered either the Mk3 or Mk4 on a purely mechanical point of view
(less likely to through up large repair bills)

Also what are the running costs like on both models? I dont mind getting my hands dirty with minor stuff like brakes/suspension and the likes. Also what are the engine like to work on by yourself?

What is the cost of replacement parts like?

What are the cost like for say Cam belt/Water pump/Pulleys and is it a big job i.e engine out?

Call me paranoid but my last car had a bit of a rep with the head gaskets going so what is the going rate to have this done on one of these cars?

Thanks for taking the time to read.

Kev

[scott64]

welcome to the group mate  both good cars but i would go for the MK4....but then i am biased

[Mr GTD]

Welcome...

[Murrayedition35]

Welcome mate 

[Deano2711]

Mark 3 FTW.....easy to work on and cheaper to maintain than the Mark 4's. For your budget you could pull a good condition 16v whereas in the Mark 4 you would need to avoid the 2ltr 8v and look towards the 1.8 turbo which is better than the non turbo but either way you will just about find a decent one for your budget.

[kPATm]

Mk3's are pretty long in the tooth now. Lucky to get one with under 100k on it.

Are the engines relatively easy to work on and inexpensive?

[dixie180]

Mk3's are pretty long in the tooth now. Lucky to get one with under 100k on it.

Are the engines relatively easy to work on and inexpensive?

To be honest m8 you'll be lucky to find a Mk4 with less than 100k on the clock for £1500,plus if you go for a Mk4 1.8T the insurance will be alot greater than a Mk3.


Rob

[kPATm]

Hmm. So say most of the Mk3 & Mk4 examples are over 100k and assuming that most examples would require a Timing belt/water pump/pulleys. How much are we talkning for this kind of work?

Also how much are we talking for a head gasket replacement?

What about a Mk5?

Thanks

[dixie180]

First thing would be to make sure the Timing belt/water pump/pulleys etc has already been done and evidence to back that up.That can easily be checked in service manual and receipts kept by the owner.Full service history is a must in my opinion as this demonstrates that the vehicle has been cared for.As for replacing the head gasket  , not sure mate as i've never had to have this done on my vehicles.I'm only talking Mk3's here by the way .




Rob

[kPATm]

Would this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Autel-MaxScan-GS500-OBD2-EOBD-Scanner-Diagnostic-Tool-/180811948763?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item2a193b62db

work on a Golfs Diagnostics?