Mk3s are fantastic!

[mowgli]

I've had 4 Mk 3's, love 'em to bits.  Got an Audi A4 1.8T sport now which is very very nice but might come back to the Mk3 to be honest.

Just love the whole range, personally I think the Mk5 shares more styling cues with the Mk3 bodyshape than it does with the Mk4.

[Dread Eye]

Capt dread eye agrees mi hearties.

[Neaty]

After my ebay special mark 2 valver failed its MOT for the 3rd time i decided to let it rot on the drivem, and asked if my dad would put me on his insurance for his 8valve mark 3! to which he did to my amazement he agreed!

I used it regularly for about 2 months and it was a really nice drive. But it wont rev past 5000rpm so i couldnt even take it to the red line and see what it was like.

I think after driving one i would be tempted to buy a 16valve mark 3 or VR6.

Has anyone put their mark 3 valver against a mark 2 valver?

[Bazzer]

won't go past 5k? Must be sommat wrong - I get mine just past 6k quite often... But tbh there's no need to rev it...

[Neaty]

it hits the rev limiter at 5, it was really frustrating at times! and its rubbish on fuel economy aswell!!

[majic mk3]

I had that exact same problem after a cowboy did my cambelt, it was highly underpowered and the revs cut in at 5000. It was so annoying, but i got the timing checked and the cambelt was two teeth out!!!! It's now sorted and the car drives so much better and more economical than before!!!

Tell your dad to check the timing!

[Neaty]

I had that exact same problem after a cowboy did my cambelt, it was highly underpowered and the revs cut in at 5000. It was so annoying, but i got the timing checked and the cambelt was two teeth out!!!! It's now sorted and the car drives so much better and more economical than before!!!

Tell your dad to check the timing!

ok mate, cheers, it also when you rev it up through gears it seems to miss fire a bit also! He has not had it long, and i think had a service just before he bought it so that might have been the same problem as what you had.

[Cra1g]

I've had my MK3 now for about 2 months, and must say it is the best car I have had so far..

Indeed it is slow, doesn't handle all that well, but the built quality, ride is all superb.

I'd rather have a crash in my MK3 than my old Saxo (for Safety reason).

Cra1g

[Neaty]

speaking of crashes i had one on friday and it does make u feel safe after seeing hte result of my car and the other car (clio) mine has kept its shape pretty well, and the clio, well its french isnt it so u know what to expect!

[mysticblue_mk3]

I've had my MK3 8v GTi for over a year now (a record period of ownership for me) and I can't really fault it as an all round package . In all but outright performance terms it's a superior all rounder than my old Mk2 (which was a GL, but I have driven a couple of GTi's in the past )

The build quality and generally higher spec. is the main reason I chose a MK3 over a MK2. I like my creature comforts .

In defense of the MK2 though, I do prefer the looks of the MK2.

I did consider trading in for a Golf or Corrado VR6, one of my mates bought one recently (R reg 5dr Highline, very smart!) and I test drove it for him. It didn't seem to have that much low down grunt, but over about 3500 rpm it pulled like a train with excellent in gear acceleration. Where as my GTi seems to have all it's grunt at low revs in 2nd gear, and by 70mph in 5th it got its pipe out and slippers on . Comparing the two I'd say the GTI suits my style of driving better. The VR6 just kept pulling and pulling, just too tempting to go flat out and bye bye License! (which I need for work). One thing I was definitely not impressed with on the VR6 was the fuel consumption - 12mpg on a quick 3 mile thrash .

So I'll stick with my Mk3 for a bit longer, not sure what to go for next though, would like to keep within the VAG stable. Late 90's SEAT Ibiza GTI's and Cordoba 16v's now look quite good value for money, has any one on here owned or driven one of these?

Phil.