Newbie looking for gti

[huzi7]

Hi

I'm new and looking to get a mark 4 gti.

could you please tell me what i should look out for when buying a gti?
which is more reliable.....1.8t or the 2.0?
is it true that they drink oil and need frequent top ups?

i have about £4500 to spend

[huzi7]

anyone?

[huzi7]

no one to help a newbie?

[ryushi]

1.8T or 2.0?  depends what you want, if your after a car to get from A-B then go for the 2.0, if you want something a little bit faster and with a huge amount of tuning potential go for the 1.8T, they are both reliable but I guess on the 2.0 you won't have a turbo to replace if it went wrong (I had a 1.8T engine do 135,000 miles and the turbo was still on it's first turbo though)

Things to look out for? I've not long had mine so not sure! check all the usual, service history, blue smoke, fluid levels, break wear... blah blah blah.

Apparently the electric window runners can go, so test the windows and try closing the doors and lisening for any rattles with the windows down.

Have a seach on the forum, im sure this must have been asked lots of times.

[GolfGL]

For that price range i'd get a good condition low mileage 2.0 gti. The 2.0 is nice and smooth with some low down grunt but not overall that quick. The 1.8 20v is quicker but ones i drove didnt feel like they had much pull as with a 20v head they go higher up the rev range more freely than the 2.0.  Then the 1.8t if you could find a nice example with average miles and you can afford the insurance go for it.

All mk4s have got a few common problems so check all windows work or have had regulator clips replaced, check air con is fresh and actually works, check rear windscreen washer works, all the locks work remotely and with the key, it idles properly, all the dash lights come on at first like abs and airbags and then go off when started. It isnt always necessary but would be nice to see if MAF and lambda probe had been changed recently as they can mess with the engine.

[Scott_1.8T]

I've just bought a 1.8T and am really enjoying it.  It's not rapid but there's so much you can do with it.  Mine's going in to be chipped in about 2 weeks and I can't wait!
As above really.  Look for all the usual things, panel gaps, serivce history, etc.  
I reckon if you can find a good one for your money I'd get the 1.8T jsut because it's so easy to get 200bhp from it and then it'll leave the 2.0 standing!

[threadders]

For that price range i'd get a good condition low mileage 2.0 gti. The 2.0 is nice and smooth with some low down grunt but not overall that quick. The 1.8 20v is quicker but ones i drove didnt feel like they had much pull as with a 20v head they go higher up the rev range more freely than the 2.0.  Then the 1.8t if you could find a nice example with average miles and you can afford the insurance go for it.

All mk4s have got a few common problems so check all windows work or have had regulator clips replaced, check air con is fresh and actually works, check rear windscreen washer works, all the locks work remotely and with the key, it idles properly, all the dash lights come on at first like abs and airbags and then go off when started. It isnt always necessary but would be nice to see if MAF and lambda probe had been changed recently as they can mess with the engine.

I'm a new golf 1.8T owner.

It is quick, even at standard.

From what people say and from bhp + 0-60 times the 2.0 is very slow hence you can buy them a lot cheap.

I was originaly looking at the 2.0 but most people would say they dont drive as well as the 1.8 when I test drove it was true.