VW "Newbie" - Some help please

[J2theIZZO]

Hi,

This is my first post here and I know zip about VW's so please bear with me.

I've been a Honda nut/enthusiast now for many many years, but I feel it's time for a change. I've really loved all the Honda's i've owned, but they just don't have enough torque now and they are getting a "Boy Racer" image these days which is not something I wish to be part of, that plus the fact that every 17 year old with a Corsa/Saxo wants to race me 

So in the pursuit of something a bit more grown up i've taken a fancy to the Mk4 Golf 20vT, my Father was a keen VAG fan, he owned a '88 Mk2 Special Edition GTI 8v (First models with the big bumpers) and alslo a Corrado G60 (LHD Import when they were first released). So I have fond memories of VW's.

I'm going to look at a 2000 W Reg Black 3dr 20vT on thursday with only 35k on the clock, what i'd like to know from you guys is things to look out for when checking it over, are there any common problems, or were they any recalls on parts which I need to check for?

Also i'm going to be heavily modifiying this car, I've been reading the posts on Revo mapping etc, and something about DBW which goes completely over my head.

What is the difference between the DBW and Non DBW engines?, I understand that <2000 are Non DBW, but as the car i'm going to look at is a 2000 model this could be border line so i'd like to check.

Is there a preference between the models?

I'm sure i'll be back with more questions soon, and thanks in advance for the replies.

J2

[Sugar79]

Hi ya... welcome 

I dont know too much about things to look for.. but there are plenty of very helpfull people on here who have quite alot of knowledge on VW's..

Things that go wrong on the MK4's are

MAF (mass Air flow) meter likes to play up it'll make the car feel sluggish... also temperature sender units are a problem... and the god damn electric windows are a pain!! so make sure they are all working.. they have a tentancy to snap the plastic clips.

But thats all i know really they are not big problems just those little niggly problems that annoys me anyway lol 

[J2theIZZO]

Thanks for the reply, as i've rummaged deeper into this forum I see that this is a frequently asked question  :embarassed:

Thanks for the common problems, i'll make sure to give the windows a proper going over  (At least the body pannels aren't made out of recycled coke cans like Hondas - Drive over 80mph and get covered in "parking" dents    )

I've read though most of the newbie posts now, so my next question is: Where is the engine code located so I can see which model it is - If it has the "S" turbo, spotting the throttle cable, or lack of shouldn't be a problem, but if there is a handy tag (is it on the VIN Plate?) that will tell me the engine code straight off that would be great.

 

[Sugar79]

iam not sure where the engine code is, as i wanted to know what engine i have got as well lol 

[J2theIZZO]

More searching revealed that it's stamped on the engine block under the plastic cover or in the service book.

Even more searching revealed the following:

As the car i'm going to look at is a W Reg and they ran from 01 March 2000 - 31 July 2000 It probably means that this car is the following:

ARZ (99-00) - K03 turbo, no VVT, DBW, 150bhp, 5speed

Not what I was looking for 

I need a:

AUM (late 00 - 02) - K03s turbo, VVT, DBW, 150bhp, 5speed 

[Sugar79]

what would be the diffence then if they are both 150bhp?? 

[J2theIZZO]

Traction Control and a better turbo (sport turbo) in the AUM as far as I can tell.

From reading around it seems this is the much better option (having the sport turbo) for high power applications, hopefully looking to get ~240bhp ish

What do you think of these wheels?



Still waiting to be confirmed if they will make me a custom set of these in Golf fitment, should find out any day now 

[richy]

Hello and welcome to the fourm.  Hopefully Topher should be along later - he's modded his 1.8T a fair bit and should be able to help you.

I think sugar covered the main things to look for.  Check the central locking too/ electric adjustable mirrors / sunroof if its got one, as the convenience controller is something that often plays up.  If its a 3 door, check the doors haven't dropped as they're big heavy buggers.

  Rich

[topher]

hello mate, welcome to the forum.

if the car you're going to look at is going cheap dont be put off by the k03 .. you can always swap that out later (it'll need a custom remap) since the k03 sports are going for peanuts these days.

if you find a later one at the same price however.. then no contest really, it'll make life a whole lot simpler if you want to hit the 240 mark. You'll struggle to get past 220 with the standard exhaust and cat. High-flow cat and stainless exhaust should be on your list of mods

[J2theIZZO]

I wouldn't exactly call it cheap at £7500 (for a 2000 Model), it's just that it's got 35k on the clock which is very low milage.

I'll see how I feel about it when I go tommorow, i'll let you all know if I get it