newbie with advice please!

[gazwelsh]

first of all hi to all 
currently i own a 5 series bmw, but am looking to downsize very soon to a golf gti 1.8T, this one to be exact: http://www.marcusfothergill.com/vehicle-details.asp?region=&order=&Model=&Make=&notMake=&notModel=&BodyType=&FuelType=&Transmission=&intMin=&intMax=&RSpage=8&ID=491603&popup=
my question is, as a VW virgin, what do i need to be looking/checking for on a golf of this age? already been told to check windows are working as the regulators tend to be dodgy, but apart from that i "know nothing"

any advice appreciated guys!

thanks, gary

[gibby]

My advice would be to look through the mk4 section. Look at some old threads and maybe do a search for "look for" or something along those lines. If you still can't find much then ask some specific questions in the mk4 section. As it's a mk4, I'm with you I'm afraid, as in," I know nothing".

[Conker]

I wouldn't worry about the regulator issue you can fix it yourself (http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=27944.0) or its only a few hundred quid from VW itself, and they might not break or have already been done anyway.

With my 1.8T I was primarily concerned with a) service history and regular oil changes as good oil preserves the turbo, and b) is it owned by a nob who has thrashed it.

After having owned one, if I was to buy another I would also check for...

1) Have the doors drooped, esp 3 doors.
2) How "crashy" is the suspension from worn bushes etc. (a bit pricey for a garage to fix).
3) My recaro's went a bit annoyingly creaky, so I would check for that.

Obviously theres all the normal car buying advice... Headgasket, oil burning, HPI, irregular tyre wear etc. etc. etc.