buying a golf - V5 or 2.0 GTI advice anyone?

[andrewturner]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to replace the missus' 1994 golf 2.0 gti Mk3 with a mark 4 golf, however its got to have some reasonable BHP as i will be using it when not driving my 328i sport!!

Does anyone have any recommendations as to what to go for as I've heard horror stories about the V5...

Also what is the 2.0 like - i see its 115bhp? - sounds a bit underpowered.

thanks in advance,

[vee]

Recommendation - buy my 4motion

The 2.0 was only badged a GTi in the UK. It's effetively a GL.

You might be better off considering a 1.8T instead, also badged a GTi.
These were 150bhp until 2003 and then 180bhp (5 speed on the former and 6 speed on the latter is an easy was to distiguish between them).

V5 was 10v 150bhp until 2001 and then became a 20v 170bhp.

V5 drinks fuel like there's no tomorrow. 1.8T is more tunable. Neither will come anywhere near your 328i sport imo. If you're considering a V5 you should really try a 4motion to compare. Little difference in purchase & running costs.

Check for correct servicing. Like all VAGs from in the past 5/6 years all models suffer from doidgy coilpacks, although most will have been replaced by now.
Checl that the climate control fans are working correctly and haven't blown the fuse on the top of the battery.
Leather recaros ae desirable.

Lots of information here . . www.uk-mkivs.net

[andrewturner]

thanks for the advice. only looking at the V5 for the missus because it looks like quite a high spec for little ££. Have considered the 4motion, however sort of ruled it out due to cost, but will go and investigate.

interesting about the 2.0 being a GL... seems a bit underpowered for a GTI.

1.8T - I'm assuming the 1.8T is expensive on insurance being turbo?

anyway thanks... anyone more advice anyone

[swisss]

steer clear of the 2 litre. Marketing over substance.

1.8T is a cracking car. Easy to chip if that's your bag, or just very easy to live with.

NOt at all bad on insurance - although I had a Tiv before, so It's all relative.

v5 is nice too, bit more grunt, but not as spritely. My mate's got one and I prefer my T.

4motion is twice the price for not really twice the car. I'd love one, but couldn't afford it at the time. Plus the boot is about a foot shallower to fit in all the 4x4 gubbins.

[leosayer]

I prefer the 1.8T as well, having driven one and previously owned a V5 (170bhp model).

[gazeth]

Go for a 1.8t, i have the 180bhp 6 speed model and it's a cracking car (which is now for sale in the classifieds)

[s3 bam]

Seriously mate,go for a half decent 130 pd ,it's faster than the 150 bhp petrol gti and has massive torque too.

[leosayer]

s3 bam said:

Seriously mate,go for a half decent 130 pd ,it's faster than the 150 bhp petrol gti and has massive torque too.

Agreed massive torque if you don't mind changing gear every 3 seconds and vibrating pedals.

[GreenMan]

Get the 4mo if you possibly can - the fuel economy, servicing costs etc are not far worse than the V5 and the noise, power and grip are awesome, but what's more (please someone correct me if I'm wrong) the V6 4mo actually has a far better rear suspension set-up than the other Mk4 Golfs (which tend to be criticised for their handling). The standard Mk4 suspension wouldn't accomodate the 4wd, so the 4mo has a more sophisticated system described, iirc, as similar to the multilink system fitted to the Focus.

I've had a 4mo for 9 months now and it's a cracking car.

Also, bear in mind that the Mk4 2.0 GTI's engine is pretty much exactly the same as the one in your wife's Mk3 GTI...but the car is significantly heavier.

[Dino D]

I looked into v6/v5/1.8t alot before finding the extra cash for my 330i after a test drive...but thats another story.

I found the v5's a bargain-they seem to suffer heavy depreciation and a very slow sellers. If fuel cost is not an issue it is a good buy. If you don't mind the Bora then a V5 Bora is fantastic value as they seem to be pigs to sell. I saw the same v5 Boras on autotrader for months with one in scotland going for 3,5k. itwas black with only 50k on the clock!

I found the v6 to be slow and thirsty for the performance it delivers compared to other 6 cylider cars of similair capacity. I nearly bought a v6 Bora but after hearing from owners that the real mpg figure is in the high teens to low 20's I felt that it was too much petrol for only 204bhp.

Overall, best package is the 1.8t and it will be easier to sell on, especially a black one with black heated leather recaros-those are some tasty seats and does make the car feel special.

[GreenMan]

As far as fuel consumption goes, according to the trip computer my Golf 4mo averages ~22mpg in town, ~28 over main roads and just over 30 at "motorway speeds". Those figures all drop by 1 or 2 when the aircon is working at full pelt. From friends' experiences, I don't think the V5 is much better.

I don't hang around, but if you drive with a very heavy right foot you'll see those figures drop - faulty MAF sensors also often contribute to poor mpg...

[fourmotion]

my 4mo doesn't return too bad mpg. the car will tell me around town i'm getting 25mpg (probably real 22-23), and at 80mph on the motorway its around 28/29. my current commute to work of 60 miles tends to return 34-36, as you can't really go much faster the 60mph on the M25!

i've had mine 9 months, and at the time there was about a grand difference between the v5 & v6. the spec is usually higher in the v6 as well.

just drive all the models you can, and then make your choice. (although don't go for the 2.0!;-))