Newbie Questions and advice on buying gti?

[blue_reality]

Hey Gang,

Just had a look through some threads and everyone seems so nice!! HA!

I've just sold a Nissan 180SX Type X to get a 'sensible' car and I bought a Jeep. It's all good, but I'm missing my old car and my girlfriend wants me to have a 'normal' car so now I've got my heart set on a Golf MK4 GTI and have a couple of questions. (Because to the untrained girlfriends eye is looks like a 'nice' normal car)

Is there much difference betweeen the year models from 1999-2003? Performance, body and interior?

Is there a reputable place to get modifications done in Sydney?

How much would a full exhaust cost and a chip?

Is it possible to put a FMIC on them?

I have seen a 2003 model for sale for $22,000 with 60,000km and another one that looks the same for $18,000 both in 'beautiful condition - first to see will buy' so I'm a but confused on what the going price is. Red book is not really that accurate.

Also any tips on what to look for when doing a test drive and looking at cars second hand would be fantastic.

Thanks guys - I'm looking forward to making this site my new home - I racked up around 2000 posts on the Nissan Silvia forum and was active organising cruises, videos, BBQ's etc in Sydney so I'm looking forward to becoming part of this community!

Cheers.

[gpk_gti]

welcome and great choice of car!!
The earlier models have the recaro interior where as the later ones dont.you will see recaro embrioded on the front middle .
as for reputable modifiers in sydney there are a few.
bug_racer on forum can help you with most mods .tcca motorsport in artarmon has helped with my mk4 gti.as for others im sure they are on forum.
Exhaust id go for custom made,I can refer you to one place if you dont know any.Intercoolers is not a unusual mod,have seen them but ive got a FORGE side mount.
There is a Get together/bbq coming up on the 11th march.check the cruise/meet thread.
anything else I can help you with just message me or post here.
Good luck!!!

[blue_reality]

Thanks gpk_gti

So a 2003 model with 60,000km is going to be exactly the same as a 2000 model with 60,000km, for example, except for the recaro interior?

They're a great looking car and sounds like they repond well to light modification aswell.

Can't wait to get my hands on one!

Thanks for replying so fast.

[gpk_gti]

Im pretty sure,but dont quote me...I think the wheels are also updated.Check for the seat bolster on outer side for big butt collapse,HEHE and check that the car does not overheat and any coolant loss(both of those I didnt check and got done).
what area are you at???

[gpk_gti]

here is the thread for our next GTG,

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?p=35976#post35976

hope you can make it!!

[blue_reality]

I'm in Sydney.

Hopefully should have the VW by next week.

Very excited!

[phaeton]

Welcome blue reality

[h100vw]

Hi, get someone to scan the ECUs for fault codes that haven't caused a check light on the dash.

Drive a couple of them to get a feel for a good one.

The MAF, air sensors, fail often and sometimes only fitting another or data logging with VAG-COM will pick it up.


A front mount would be a good idea. Not many off the shelf choices that I know of except Forge. That is a dual pass and not ideal. I am having one made for my A3 which is essentially the same car. Custom pipe running over the gear box to the biggest core I can get in. Having to cut the bar behind the bumper, small loss! Once it's done I can have as many kits made as I like.

Please don't start the which chip is best thing off again though.

Gavin

[blue_reality]

^^^^^^^^^^^

It is costly to get your FMIC custom made?

I imagine there must be a kit or something available for the GTI?

[h100vw]

^^^^^^^^^^^

It is costly to get your FMIC custom made?

I imagine there must be a kit or something available for the GTI?

Not that bad TBH. Can't remember what he quoted me exactly.

Forge and maybe APR make off the shelf FMIC both more than the one I am having made.

Gavin

[BLKMJC]

Hello!

Go to www.redbook.com.au, and you can see what specs and options the cars came with. The main differences are the seats I think... but there are others... id go for a 2003 up model. MY2002 is not bad, its got most of what the 2002 had but is cheaper by a bit being 2002...

You have to cut the front bumper to put fmic on... something I didnt want to do. I considered smic but the costs dont really justify the performance you get from it.

BLKMJC

[RedMk2Gti]

Hello!

Go to www.redbook.com.au, and you can see what specs and options the cars came with. The main differences are the seats I think... but there are others... id go for a 2003 up model. MY2002 is not bad, its got most of what the 2002 had but is cheaper by a bit being 2002...

You have to cut the front bumper to put fmic on... something I didnt want to do. I considered smic but the costs dont really justify the performance you get from it.

BLKMJC

I think 2000 model has sunroof as standard, start from 2002 it became an option. btw, if you don't upgrade the turbo, what's the point of putting fmic. put your money in other mod first

[91eah]

Hi nice choice on the mk4 GTi!!! I have a 2001 - it has the recaro seats & sunroof as standard, i prefered to get the older model to have these features!

I spent 8 months looking for mine, and the price does vary, but take into account the km's, service history, how many owners etc!

Im sure in Sydney you will have many to choose from! Goodluck with it!

[Bug_racer]

^^^^^^^^^^^

It is costly to get your FMIC custom made?

I imagine there must be a kit or something available for the GTI?

The custom ones vary from about $1200-1700 depending on size , space and tubing involved . Just had a Polo gti one done , pics will be up shortly

[Bug_racer]

Also if you cant find a gti consider an A3 , the later ones are DBW and you can extract a bit more power out of them