Info Please

[mikey h]

Hello,

I'm new to the forum so be gentle

I am currently looking to purchase  a mk3 gti as a second car. My daily drive is a b5 audi a4 1.8t sport so I have little knowledge of golfs and I thought this would be the perfect place to gain some knowledge!! I've read the buying guide which has some very good info. Can anyone give me the performance figures for the 8v and 16v and any pros and cons of owning and running either.

Cheers Mike

[Rideandy]

Go for a 16v!
I have an 8v and should have gone for the extra 8v :embarassed:

[robiwill]

have to agree the difference over a 16v to the 8v is amazing the 8v is underpowered where as the 16v abf engine aint that far off a vr6 although not such a nice a noise

[mikey h]

Thanks for your replies. I was thinking the same thing if I buy an 8v would I regret it. Is there anything I should be looking out for when looking at a 16v, any common problems etc.

Cheers Mike

[patch900]

Look at the stickies above - there is a VR6 buying info which also applies to all MK3's.

Very good info I used it when buying mine. Main thing I would suggest it be patient as there are a lot of crap ones out there and a lot are overpriced as well. A lot of people are asking over 2K which is a bit much.

Terms of performance if I had the choice now I would buy a VR6 or a Mk4 20vT.

Or if I had 20K I would buy my Brothers mates Porsche 959 Turbo - 480BHP  Went in it this weekend, bordering on terrifiying !

[Tom H]

I know it's already been said here - but I bought an 8v and wish I'd held out for a 16v too!

One thing I have been told about mk3 golfs (although other my disagree?) is that a higher milage isn't a major problem, as long as a full service history is in place - so basically a well looked after golf with 120k will be a better bet that an 80k one with out service history - or so I've been told.

[Len]

There are a few problems with the Mk3's but we have had them all on here so the common ones are easily solved mate!
Dont know of any that aint been sorted in the end.
The 16v is a good strong engine and with a bit of tweaking can produce same figures as Vr6 without the extra weight!
Go look for an R reg with all the goodies like Leather and heated Recaros!

[kells]

mine is a 8v and im happy with its performance as its just a daily runner, my last runner was a 1.3 mk 5 escort so the 8v is ALOT better hahahaah
my jap car is 156 bhp so im used to faster cars, even a 16v mk 3 golf feels slow compaired to my jap car so i just though go for the 8v with slightly cheeper insurance and running costs, its not a bad car at all and iv had absolutly no problems with it like many iv seen on here (i type this as i touch wood hehe)

id would love to pop a 20v turbo lump in it like 

i also love the VR6, mate has one they are great

[DazVR6]

Tthe ABS can be a real pain in the arse to sort out if you get problems, so look for the lights at the right of the steering wheel, they should come on for 2-3 seconds when you turn the ignition and and then go out--if they dont then it could be anything from a dodgy sensor to a dodgy pump£Â£Ã‚£.

[Stibbs]

I got an 8v for £100, 113k, no service history but i havent had a single problem. Was running a bit funny at first but a service sorted that out. It's only a 1.4, but the insurance, petrol costs etc are extremely low which is just what i wanted as I'm still on an apprentice's wages.

That said tho, if money wasnt so much of an issue I'd of got a GTI 16v!!