Golf GTi 1.8T Buying Advice Please

[Ninj]

Hi all,

Looking at buying a 1.8T for ?8k-?10k and have a few questions:

What are the advantages of the DBW over non DBW; I have read the DBW are easier to retro fit cruise to, which gives the best performance increase when chipped?

Was cruise an option on all model years?

When was the change to DBW?  Is there a model number to look for?

When was the change to 180 Bhp models?

What about the K03 turbos?

Interior wise, was the recaro interior an upgrade?  Do all of the recaro cars heated seats?

Phew...I think thats it

Thanks for any advice

Rgds

Rich

[antgti]

The clever boys may correct me, but.

No not all recaro's are heated as standard,

Cruise is an option since s plate onwards, But since 02 it has been standard on se and match, but option on GTi and above,


Change to 180 was from 51 onwards i believe,

Sorry without looking up these facts these are using memory only, others may corect me.

Cheers

You can get 50k V6 4motions for 12k have a look.

[Rally_Chris]

Rich,

As you already know - the dbw models are capable of having cruise control fitted easily and cheaply (see the link to my website below). It is also true that the dbw models can be more easily chipped as they have additional ECU memory and they will give slightly higher ouputs that the non dbw cars.

The earliest 1.8T with DBW was fitted to Golf models around June 2000, and these can be identified by an ARZ engine code (see cylinder head / service book sticker/ spare wheel well sticker) . At this time the montreal 2 16" alloys were also fitted for the first time so this may also be a useful giveaway of a dbw car.

The later dbw engines also have variable valve timing and offer even greater tuning potential. A typical 150 bhp engine code would be AUM, fitted from late 2000.

The jabba website is a useful resource for comparing tuneability of the different 1.8T models :

http://www.jabbasport.com/golfmk4.html

[Ninj]

Thanks guys, Ill bear all that in mind.

I think its worth holding out for a late 2000 model at least, even I suppose at the expense of getting one with a few more miles on.

Hopefully I should still be able to find one for less than ?10k.

Thanks again


Rich