Mk4 GTi - What to look for?

[dubbed]

Check the history to see if the timing belt has been changed at around 60,000kms.

[JustCruisn]

The main MK4 gremlins are Coilpacks, Window regulators and water pumps with plastic impellers.
My coilpacks and windows have been fine so far.
$15K is about right, decals are easy to remove with help of a hair dryer and some eucalyptus oil cleanup.

I see another one at Noosa for a few grand more, says waterpump clutch etc etc been replaced. Nice rims too.
One in St Lucia less km, stole internal pic from the Buderum lady. Guy is wrong about "If you are looking at the MK4 Gti it is important to note that the 1999 (which this is) is made in Germany from 2000 the model was produced in South Africa."
All Mk4 GTIs are German made.

If you come to see the one at St Lucia let me know you can look mine over and make an offer

[patullose]

The main MK4 gremlins are Coilpacks, Window regulators and water pumps with plastic impellers.
My coilpacks and windows have been fine so far.
$15K is about right, decals are easy to remove with help of a hair dryer and some eucalyptus oil cleanup.

I see another one at Noosa for a few grand more, says waterpump clutch etc etc been replaced. Nice rims too.
One in St Lucia less km, stole internal pic from the Buderum lady. Guy is wrong about "If you are looking at the MK4 Gti it is important to note that the 1999 (which this is) is made in Germany from 2000 the model was produced in South Africa."
All Mk4 GTIs are German made.

If you come to see the one at St Lucia let me know you can look mine over and make an offer

Cheers man thanks for your help!!! the St Lucia ones a bit out of my price range....Orignally i was only wanting too spend 13000 on a standard Golf...but i've convinced my self that 15000 for a GTi isnt 2 bad...

haha how cheaky he did steal that pic.....*tisk*

Well i'll let u know how it goes.......

U looking to sell your car??? how much for? Also just wondering is there any Golf or VW clubs around here?

[JustCruisn]

No official VW clubs I know about. Watercooled forums members can be the club if you want.
OzAudi is officially a club and may well take VW owners.

Have you driven any Golfs yet ? GTI or otherwise.
How old are you / On open license etc ?

[patullose]

No official VW clubs I know about. Watercooled forums members can be the club if you want.
OzAudi is officially a club and may well take VW owners.

Have you driven any Golfs yet ? GTI or otherwise.
How old are you / On open license etc ?

mate not driven one yet...i wasnt actully looking too purachase one for another coupple of months untill i seen this GTi

If i was going 2 get a standard golf i was looking at a 2.0L in manual but there rare too find.

i'm 21yrs old.... Got my full open licence
Whys that?

[JustCruisn]

Age thing just wondering about new P plate rules for Turbo/moded cars.
Also insurance on the GTI is not really nice for younger drivers. You should factor this into you running costs too.

Good luck with it all

[patullose]

Age thing just wondering about new P plate rules for Turbo/moded cars.
Also insurance on the GTI is not really nice for younger drivers. You should factor this into you running costs too.

Good luck with it all

Yeah i'm fine...no P plate rules for me yeah insurance is 750 a year Full comp...thats not 2 bad i dont think for someone my age.... better then my commo...that was over a grand a year

Cheers man

[geoff_gti]

G'day mate,

As mentioned before, window regulators/brackets can be a problem. There are repair kits available for a bit over $100 + labour. They replace the oem plastic clips with metal clips. People are alway fixing 'em, most recently here, but do a search for more info. I've had 2 go in my car but luckily still under warranty at the time.

My water pump and timing belt were recently done at around 65000km so these should have been done already. Might even be coming up for the next major service at those km's.

I'm pretty certain that production did change from Germany to South Africa around 2001. The black space you mentioned is the multi display on later models for trip computer, fuel consumption and ambient temp. I believe it is blanked off / non-functional on earlier model. Newer models don't have the Recaro branded seats, I think these are 2 of the main differences between the German and SA builds.

Good luck!

[patullose]

Cool thanks for that info mate!
Does anyone know if there are any Turbo problems? or major engine problems other then the coil packs and water pump
CHeers

[SoVeReIgN]

This engine won engine of the year a couple of times iirc and was/is used in an absolutely rediculous number of cars.

(Audi a3,a4,a6 VW polo,golf,bora/jetta,passat + Seats + Skodas )

It's pretty fair to say the engine is completely bulletproof (If it's been serviced tho, it does have sludge problems if neglected)

All 4 coilpacks will cost you $200 and will only die once, you should do your waterpump when you do the timing belt anyway (Every 4 years, keep that in mind for a 7~8year old car) and once you've done the windows once properly they'll never break again.

Oh and MAFs can die too, but again - All this stuff is not a big deal IMO, easily diagnosed, easily replaced, doesn't break again.

Go for gold.. just make sure the car has been serviced with top quality synthetic oil it's whole life - Other gremlins are cheap to fix, an engine rebuild for a 1.8t is VERY expensive.

[patullose]

This engine won engine of the year a couple of times iirc and was/is used in an absolutely rediculous number of cars.

(Audi a3,a4,a6 VW polo,golf,bora/jetta,passat + Seats + Skodas )

It's pretty fair to say the engine is completely bulletproof (If it's been serviced tho, it does have sludge problems if neglected)

All 4 coilpacks will cost you $200 and will only die once, you should do your waterpump when you do the timing belt anyway (Every 4 years, keep that in mind for a 7~8year old car) and once you've done the windows once properly they'll never break again.

Oh and MAFs can die too, but again - All this stuff is not a big deal IMO, easily diagnosed, easily replaced, doesn't break again.

Go for gold.. just make sure the car has been serviced with top quality synthetic oil it's whole life - Other gremlins are cheap to fix, an engine rebuild for a 1.8t is VERY expensive.

cheers man! yeah first thing i'll be looking at is the service records
thanks man

[HOLEIN1]

definitely get the gti mate, was looking for a sport 2.0l myself but im so glad i got the gti due to the nicer interior and more potential for engine mods later down the track

also have a look at the service history, not sure about a car with your amount of k's, but look in the service schedule and see if there is anything major coming up ie. lots of $$$$ to be spent

and good move moving to a classy VW, just remember if anyone gives you a hard time about driving a 'girls' car just say...

'commos and jap may pull the g-forces, but euro cars pull the g-strings'

nuff said

[geoff_gti]

Cool thanks for that info mate!
Does anyone know if there are any Turbo problems?

yeah, stock turbo's not big enough hehehe

[patullose]

definitely get the gti mate, was looking for a sport 2.0l myself but im so glad i got the gti due to the nicer interior and more potential for engine mods later down the track

also have a look at the service history, not sure about a car with your amount of k's, but look in the service schedule and see if there is anything major coming up ie. lots of $$$$ to be spent

and good move moving to a classy VW, just remember if anyone gives you a hard time about driving a 'girls' car just say...

'commos and jap may pull the g-forces, but euro cars pull the g-strings'

nuff said

HAHA very true!!

[patullose]

Here are a few things that have gone wrong with my GTI (2001)

Has the water pump been replaced ? This is a must, check the paperwork the pump is only about $160 but the labour is a killer ! I would not buy without knowing this 100%.

Lower control arm bushings (front), go over some speed bumps one wheel at a time listen for creaking. When coasting at 60km just tap the accelerator and back off, is there a clunk ? If its lowered you may want to have this checked professionally.
Mine are being replaced ATM and it is not cheap at all (or I'm getting ripped).

See if the seats are hard to move back and forth. Dealer has tried many times to fix with no luck at all.

Trim around the doors, has the felt come away from the black rubber / does it sit nice and tight against the head liner ? The glue lets go in really hot weather and looks crap ($120 per side to replace)

Is it the black one in Buderim ? With Recaro written on the side - I've never seen this decal before.

Dont be put off, geat car with heaps of potential

Had a look at the car today......Timing belts never been replaced and nor the water pump....ALso car had no serive records.....Went really well tho.....I'll def get a GTi...

But not this one.....Ah well i orignally wasnt looking 2 buy for a few more months yet...so i'll have 2 have another look then...

THanks for your Info tho