Best Engine/Performance option between a 1.8 20v and 2.0 model ???

[tailor_mike]

Hi ppl, Just buying myself either a 1.8 20v or 2.0 golf gti mark 4,prob be a 1999 or 2000 model.
Not really clued up on the engines/performace etc...
Just wanted some info from you guys on what seems best?
It only a cheapish high mileage one i am after for a daily runner, so really wanted the most reliable i can get, so dont want a turbo model, just a n/a model.
Cant bear seeing my boxster getting dirty over winter, but still want to stick with a german motor! 

[Rhyso]

Welcome mate 

1.8 has 10bhp more along with 8 more valves and on paper i think returns better MPG 

few of the lads on here have the 2.0 and have had few problems with them; they'll be along to champion it shortly!!

in the meantime have you considered a diesel  

[richw911]

1.8 20v all the way  The diesels ARE very good. (If you like that sort of thing!)   

[Stu-1.8T]

I have never driven a N/A 20v but own a 2.0 and 1.8T.  I dont think 1.8T's suffer from reliability issue's anymore than the N/A cars as they run at low boost pressures in standard form.  I would say just bite the bullet and go for the Turbo. Mines got 95,000 on it now and drives much, much better that our 2.0 with 40k on it.  (and i'm pretty sure the 20V cars are better on fuel)

[Ridg]

get yourself a GT TDI 115 which is as quick as the 2.0 8v and .4 slower than the 1.8 20v but double the economy

or the GT TDI 130 which will beat both of those petrol GTI's or if you want to splash the cash GT TDI 150 which will happily keep up with the 1.8T 150

[Stu-1.8T]

All the TDI's are pretty pricey though - especially the 150 bhp one.  Better chance of finding cheaper petrol ones, which will offset the fuel saving of the TDI

[tailor_mike]

thx for the info ppl

Not after a tdi, as had one last year and turbo fecked up on it, and caused me pure ball ache, so not to keen on getting another one, was a 130 bhp model and did fly when working!

Also just not keen on getting a 1.8 turbo as my friend had one and it took him ages to sell it and only got same sort of money the N/A's are going for.

So really stuck between the 1.8 and 2.0, emmmmmm......... dunno

[Ridg]

Not after a tdi, as had one last year and turbo fecked up on it, and caused me pure ball ache, so not to keen on getting another one, was a 130 bhp model and did fly when working!

fair enough, always worth tying to convert another one to the dark dump.

regarding your GTI's there really isn't much init, and i'd expect you'll find it easier to find a 2.0 8v as the 1.8 wasn't out for that long.  The 1.8 is the better engine but i think you might pay slightly more due to it being harder to find and "faster"

given the choice i'd go for the 1.8

[Phil.O]

so other than the 1.8T a GT-TDI 130 will keep up with or beat all the GTI's?

[Rhyso]

so other than the 1.8T a GT-TDI 130 will keep up with or beat all the GTI's?

yeah baby