firstly ide buy a code reader, they constantly come in handy. and will no doubt tell you what is wrong.
coilpacks on certain mk4s have a recall out so get in touch with vw see if they will replace them for you FOC under the recall, think its only certain 1.8t's though but worth a shot.
as for what it is could be anything, if you get a code reader on it, it should throw up a fault and help diagnose what it is.