2001 Volkswagen Golf V6 4MOTION

Highlights

• 204bhp V6 Golf

• 4MOTION four-wheel-drive

• 0-60mph in 7.1 secs/146 mph top speed

• Incredible service history including every single invoice from new 

• Original bill of sale

 

Overview 

Ever since the Mk 1 Golf appeared in 1974, the mid-size model has always felt a touch smarter and classier than its rivals, as well as feeling much better built.  

The Mk 4 was arguably the model’s high watermark, in desirability terms, at least. Launched in 1997, it was one of the best mid-sized hatchbacks ever made – comfortable, beautifully finished and with an upmarket ambience, it unsurprisingly became a strong seller, very quickly. 

But there was an elephant in the room. The GTI model, which followed on from a legendary line of predecessors, wasn’t quite the finely honed, sharp-handling hot hatch that its forebears were. 

Performance Golf fans weren’t left wanting, though, as above the GTI sat two more peculiar models, from an era where VW was experimenting with quirky powertrains left, right and centre. If you wanted to be really leftfield, there was the Golf V5, with a 2.3-litre powerplant and an odd number of cylinders. 

Or, there was the flagship of the range. This: the Golf 2.8 V6 4MOTION. With a 2,792cc engine derived from (but reportedly much more reliable than) the old VR6 unit, the 4MOTION came with a six-speed manual transmission and a Haldex all-wheel-drive system. It had 204bhp, and although the 0-60mph time of 7.1 seconds sounds quite modest, the incredible grip and the flexibility of its mid-range power delivery made it a delight to drive. 

It’s not light, edgy and nimble like a hot hatch, but it’s wonderfully smooth, sounds great and offers incredible levels of grip. If you want to get from A to B in a classy, comfortable car that gets you there very quickly indeed, it’s a terrific way of doing so. Plus, it’s a hot Golf, which gives you access to the whole performance VW scene.

This one is a 2001 example whose first owner kept it for 15 years. It has lived for its entire life within 15 miles of the original supplying dealer, and it still does. For a 24-year-old Golf, it has one of the most incredible service histories we’ve ever seen, and while there are one or two areas where it could be improved, it’s a great car overall. And with no reserve, on sale from the first bid, it could be an incredible bargain…

History and documentation

• UK V5C in the name of the vendor

• MOT, with no advisories, valid to 1 July 2025

• Service book stamped at the following intervals: PDI (2001 – main dealer), 9,520 miles (2002, main dealer), 18,194 (2003, main dealer), 27,619 (2004, main dealer), 34,749 (2005, main dealer), 43,113 (2006, main dealer), 50,517 (2009, VW specialist), 52,259 (2012, VW specialist), 77,091 (2018, independent)

• Invoices for annual servicing and regular maintenance (including years not stamped in the book through to 2024), presented in an A4 project folder

• There are over 50 service and maintenance invoices which, when presented chronologically, give a definitive history of the car the vendor believes it has every invoice from new

• London ULEZ compliant

• Two keys

• Original handbook and book pack

• All old V5s tracing the car’s entire ownership history

• Original bill of sale from 2001, showing that the owner traded in a 2000 Golf GTI 1.8T at Vindis Volkswagen of St Ives, Cambs

• Most old MOT certificates back to 2007

• Original ‘Vindis’ tailgate sticker

Interior

• Black and red cloth upholstery in good overall condition

• There is some wear to the driver’s site seat squab and bolster, showing in photos, but by no means significant

• Wood-effect trim on gearknob, centre console and door handle surrounds

• Original Volkswagen ‘Gamma’ stereo

• Three-spoke leather-trimmed steering wheel

• Tidy door cards and headlining

• Boot area is clean and presentable

• Twin cupholders function properly – rare for a Mk 4 Golf

• The vendor reports that the driver’s side window switch sometimes needs a wiggle to work to work properly

• Remote central locking doesn’t currently work, but does lock and unlock properly using the key

• Climate control, all working and regassed in 2023

• Trip computer

Exterior

• Original Reflex Silver metallic

• Desirable three-door non-sunroof bodyshell

• Very solid car that has never been welded

• Some minor rust on driver’s door and one tiny bubble on offside rear lower arch

• Bottom of tailgate has some bubbling and corrosion, as does tailgate handle

• Small scratch on driver’s door

• Some minor marks on rear bumper

• All alloys are in need of refurbishment, but are original and correct type with good tyres, Goodyears on the rear and Firestones on the front

• There are various small marks and defects on the body commensurate with the age and use of the vehicle, but no significant damage or major paint flaws

• Presents well overall and paint retains a deep shine – some minor cosmetic improvement would turn it into a truly lovely example

 

Mechanical

• 2.8-litre V6

• 204bhp

• 0-60mph in 7.1secs

• Six-speed manual

• New alternator

• New clutch in last 2,000 miles

• Recent new discs and pads all-round

• The vendor reports that the car is lovely to drive, with extremely smooth acceleration and surprisingly eager performance, plus it delivers a fabulous soundtrack from the V6 engine

Summary

What we have here is a car that has the potential to become a proper show car – the history file is incredible, and it’s so rare to find a maintenance record so comprehensive for a car of this age or type – it has been loved by all of its owners, and it shows.  

To get to that standard, it’ll need the alloys refurbishing and some very minor cosmetic work carrying out, should you want to take it to the next level. The alternative is to do as the vendor has been doing, and just use it as a neat, tidy, supremely comfortable and surprisingly quick daily driver that raises a few eyebrows with its power delivery. With tenacious grip and that lovely V6 burbling away upfront, it’s quite an addictive thing, while even 28 years since it made its debut, the Golf Mk 4 is still a classy and comfortable way to get around. 

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Chatteris, Cambs.