Discussion
I'm thinking about buying another Golf. I currently have an early Mk 4 1.6 (100BHP) SE but its on starship mileage now. What are the options as regards a newer one?
For example, what is the most basic Mk 6 / Mk 7 I'm likely to find? I'm talking non-metallic paint, steel wheels, wind down windows, no air con, cassette deck instead of a CD, no sunroof, lots of blanked off switches on the dash (etc etc) if they still do something like that. I don't like fast driving so performance is not an issue. I don't think this spec was actually made but how close is it possible to get?
My first Golf was a Mk 3 1.4L 'Ryder' which was ideal. 3 door, 4 speed stick, manual everything. Of course because it was a Mk 3 it rusted away but apart from that there was little else to go wrong. The Mk 4 which replaced it is a lot more plush but I don't really need a lot of that stuff. Currently I get 45 > 50 MPG, I'd like to better that if its possible without getting into the realms of really complicated diesels and the repair bills that they can generate. What is the best engine in the later Golfs for doing high mileages without incident?
For example, what is the most basic Mk 6 / Mk 7 I'm likely to find? I'm talking non-metallic paint, steel wheels, wind down windows, no air con, cassette deck instead of a CD, no sunroof, lots of blanked off switches on the dash (etc etc) if they still do something like that. I don't like fast driving so performance is not an issue. I don't think this spec was actually made but how close is it possible to get?
My first Golf was a Mk 3 1.4L 'Ryder' which was ideal. 3 door, 4 speed stick, manual everything. Of course because it was a Mk 3 it rusted away but apart from that there was little else to go wrong. The Mk 4 which replaced it is a lot more plush but I don't really need a lot of that stuff. Currently I get 45 > 50 MPG, I'd like to better that if its possible without getting into the realms of really complicated diesels and the repair bills that they can generate. What is the best engine in the later Golfs for doing high mileages without incident?
The diesels are pretty hardy if your mileage suits - something like a 1.6 TDI "S" spec would be as basic as you can get. I'd avoid the "FSI" 1.4 and 1.6 petrols as they are not E10 friendly but something like a a 1.2/1.4 TSI in "S" spec should give reliabiltiy in a basic trim.
VW spent a lot of time developing diesels though so can't help but think they are going to be more reliable over a TSI but if you're doing low miles there is no point in having a diesel.
You'll probably have more options available to you if you went for a better spec - SE, Match - as that is what the majority sold were.
VW spent a lot of time developing diesels though so can't help but think they are going to be more reliable over a TSI but if you're doing low miles there is no point in having a diesel.
You'll probably have more options available to you if you went for a better spec - SE, Match - as that is what the majority sold were.
Firstly, definitely get a mk7 over a mk6 - they might look similar, but the mk7 was a substantial improvement.
All of the petrol engines are turbocharged and relatively complex these days - the engine in them is the EA211 that has numerous trick bits and bobs like a dual loop cooling system that is integrated with the turbo, exhaust manifold and intake manifold, as well as direct injection. Still, they are quite reliable, VW group seemed to have learned a lot from their mistakes they made with it's predecessor the EA111 that featured in the mk6 Golfs, the main thing being timing chain failure - they rectified that by going back to timing belts. I have seen examples using the EA211 motor clocking up mileages over 200k.
Low mileage mk7 1.2 TSI S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312124...
Low price mk7 1.2 TSI S with FSH and recent cambelt
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309212...
All of the petrol engines are turbocharged and relatively complex these days - the engine in them is the EA211 that has numerous trick bits and bobs like a dual loop cooling system that is integrated with the turbo, exhaust manifold and intake manifold, as well as direct injection. Still, they are quite reliable, VW group seemed to have learned a lot from their mistakes they made with it's predecessor the EA111 that featured in the mk6 Golfs, the main thing being timing chain failure - they rectified that by going back to timing belts. I have seen examples using the EA211 motor clocking up mileages over 200k.
Low mileage mk7 1.2 TSI S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312124...
Low price mk7 1.2 TSI S with FSH and recent cambelt
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309212...
Thanks for all the advice, I'll definitely be checking out those smaller engined Mk 7s.
I know the Polo makes sense in a way but in the end they are just city runabouts, where as the Golf is a **proper** car. Its the only modern car I know which is never out of place; never the wrong thing to be in. Going from a Golf to a Polo would be like moving from a house to a flat.
I know the Polo makes sense in a way but in the end they are just city runabouts, where as the Golf is a **proper** car. Its the only modern car I know which is never out of place; never the wrong thing to be in. Going from a Golf to a Polo would be like moving from a house to a flat.
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