Looking to buy a MK4

[irmscher]

Hi guys,

I normally lurk in the MK3 section as my younger bro has one and i normally tinker about with it for him.  I currently have a Z4 as a company car (nice but very expensive) and am looking to give it back at the end of May as it will be 4 years old and end of life.  It's been lovely, but when i've actually sat down and worked out what it's costing me in terms of Company Car tax and personal contribution... well lets just say i could have bought a second house and comfortably paid the mortgage every month!!

Anyways that brings me to my dillema... i've looked at PCP/Leasing/HP and even staying in the Company Car Scheme.  I've more or less decided that i will opt out and just buy a car for about £3k and run it for the next year.  I'll save sh!tloads of cash and can even claim mileage back from the taxman at the end of the year.

So i've been searcing around the Auto Trader site looking at my options.  Considered everything from 5 year old X5's (stretching the budget obviously) right down to japanese cars..

I'm more or less decided on a MK4 GT TDI - especially when i realised you can retro fit Cruise Control to them very easily.  I did this to my Z4 and it's a real blessing as most of my driving is motorway miles.  I've always loved Golfs, had a couple of MK1's back in the day and even my bro's MK3 is my passion more than his!!

What i'm looking for really is some help in what to look for when choosing a GT TDI as i understand there were different power output options.  I know i need the PD Engine and a 6 Speed box.  But what else do i need to know?

How do you spot a PD Engine by looking at it?  Or is it safe to assume that a 6 speed car will have a PD engine?

Also, if i get a lower output PD, is it easy/possible to have them remapped to a higher output?? - any comments on this??

Also i guess as with most German cars, as many options as you can get is the best idea but is there any difference in spec between the different power output engines?

Should i be put off by high mileage as long as they have a good Service History?

Anything else relevant i should know?

Sorry for all the questions guys.  I've been on these forums ages and i've always found people very helpful.

Cheers

[GTi-Matt]

best people to ask is rhyso and the ridge they are the derv kings

[Rhyso]

best people to ask is rhyso and the ridge they are the derv kings

indeed 

if i read your post right your budget is 3K?? for that i'm afraid forget about the PD engines; decent 115 will start at 4.5K possibly.

3 options: (if you raise your budget)

115 AJM engine code (i think) remaps to about 135
130 ASZ engine code 96kW remaps to 160 or more
150 ARL engine code 110kW remaps to about 180, 190

all the above has a 6 speed box

decent 130 will be around 5K, 150 around the 6.5K

for that you'll get average miles etc etc

service history is important even more so that the correct oil is used as the wrong oil has led to premature cam wear, mostly 150's but also others

[irmscher]

Hi Rhyso,

That's great very helpful, many thanks.

Budget's not really an issue to be honest, i guess i'm just trying to have as little tied up in a car as possible but obviously if the right car comes along that i know will last me a while, i'll spring for it.

So is it not safe to assume that a 6 speed will be a PD engined car?

Is there any difference in spec typically, and can Cruise be fitted to all the Diesel models?

There seems to be a lot of MK4 GTI's on the Auto Trader.  What's the general consensus on these then?

Also, just going back to the remaps, how easy/safe are these and what do they typically cost?

Cheers

[AlanD]

You know you want to get the 2.0 8v version !

In fact you know you want to buy my one

[Rhyso]

You know you want to get the 2.0 8v version !

In fact you know you want to buy my one

funniest post i've seen all week 

Irmscher - check the sticker in the spare wheel well with those engine codes and power outputs

Remaps start around £250 and go up to about £500; i've got Custom Code and had it done about 4K ago; car is now on 84K; only problem i seem to have is my clutch 

Cruise can be retro-fitted to all TDI's

Main difference will probably be manual air con / climatronic depending on how flush the owner was feeling; also sunroof etc otherwise its fairly similar

[Ridg]

as Rhyso's already said check the sticker in the boot, basically on all MK4's there is a sticker which lists the factory options the engine code and the power output (this is also in the handbook).  problem is if you're looking on trader you wont physically have the car there, which i geuss is why you're asking about 6 speed.

All the PD engines are 6 speed, but not all 6 speed golfs are PD's eg the 1.8T 180bhp, V5, V6 etc

Is there any difference in spec typically, and can Cruise be fitted to all the Diesel models?

these 2 links show the options for the 150 and 130

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/equipment/Detail.aspx?deriv=21556

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/equipment/Detail.aspx?deriv=22400

the main difference between the 2 is the engine and suspension, although the 150 only has and extra 20 bhp it also comes with the front mounted intercooler and suspension from the petrol GTI, if you were thinking of tuning a 130 upto 200+ then you would have to fit an bigger intercooler yourself.

in terms of toys, most of the 150's were bought as executive hatch backs so expect leather and xenons, although expect to pay an extra £1k - £2k over the 130

[GTi-Matt]

You know you want to get the 2.0 8v version !

In fact you know you want to buy my one

funniest post i've seen all week 

hahahahahahaa PMSL, nice try aland once rhyso is talking about diesels its like rottweiler with a bone!!!!!

[AlanD]

Lucky Im not in a rush to sell this as I think its going to take a while to shift. There are just too many about

[irmscher]

Thanks again guys, very very helpful.

Alan D, thanks but i think i'm after a Diesel.

Will let you all know how i get on with the search.