Mk4 Golf GT TDi opinions

Author
Discussion

red head

Original Poster:

155 posts

225 months

Thursday 7th December 2006
quotequote all
Hi, I'm thinking of getting a 150 TDi and was after any opinions from you about them. Any good tips on what to look for or avoid?
Cheers,
Mike

MElliottUK

835 posts

217 months

Thursday 7th December 2006
quotequote all
They have wood gear surround and dash, looks abit old manish to me.

Ive been looking at these too, im going for the 130 as it has less turbo lag and no wood effect.

red head

Original Poster:

155 posts

225 months

Thursday 7th December 2006
quotequote all
Are there any after market dash trims in polished black or brushed ally?

davevag

963 posts

223 months

Friday 8th December 2006
quotequote all
They don't all come with wooden dash surrounds the one's I've been in didn't anyway I think the wooden surrounds will have been an optional extra. You can buy them in different colours anyway see here www.awesome-gti.co.uk/vw%20golfmk4/interior.html

Edited to say you might find them cheaper on ebay.

Edited by davevag on Friday 8th December 08:33

adrianr

822 posts

289 months

Friday 8th December 2006
quotequote all
I've nearly got one (130 with 150 suspension, tailgate spoiler + wheels). Been fine so far, bought it with 13K on now has 87K and all I've done (touch wood) is service items and change a couple of bulbs. I do mostly motorways so I'm even still on my original brakes.

Only thing I'd say is be wary of getting is one with climate control, as opposed to aircon. It looks nicer in the panel but apparently regularly blows its internals and costs £400 to fix. If you do get climate, look around for how to tell if it's on the way out - fans pulsing full speed intermittently IIRC but I haven't got it so don't need to worry about that.

Oh and enquire about oil consumption; allegedly some drink a bit and it's expensive stuff! Mine doesn't though.

Re: Trim, if you have anything other than the black plastic trim then the inserts can be changed easily. Otherwise the black plastic is part of the radio cage so you have to change that as well.

AdrianR

red head

Original Poster:

155 posts

225 months

Friday 8th December 2006
quotequote all
Thanks guys, on the look out for a nice one, saw one in the PH classifieds, only done 28k but a bit too much at £10,350. Spoke to the guy and would drop to £10,250 but never mind, there doesn't seem to be a shortage of them!
Rgds,
Mike

jay123

161 posts

213 months

Tuesday 12th December 2006
quotequote all
with all mk4's window regulators have a habit of failing, central locking can be trouble of some and the interior door handles wear very quickly... used to have a petrol mk4 gti and those were some of the issues i had

sineil

18 posts

214 months

Tuesday 12th December 2006
quotequote all
Go for the GTI TDI PD150 Anniversary, i just got one and its pretty damn good...Also looks better!

NDT

1,764 posts

268 months

Tuesday 12th December 2006
quotequote all
they're good if you're going to rack up the miles....
and mine's for sale!

Red head

Original Poster:

155 posts

225 months

Wednesday 13th December 2006
quotequote all
For sale? Tell me more!

NDT

1,764 posts

268 months

Wednesday 13th December 2006
quotequote all
here she is:
www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/117972.htm

Basically a completely honest, non-abused car.
Virtually all the miles were on the motorway commuting to work in my old job.
Now all I do is go to the station, so I'm going to change to smething else - either a hack or maybe an Elise.

red head

Original Poster:

155 posts

225 months

Thursday 14th December 2006
quotequote all
What are the intervals for changing the cambelt on these cars?

jvaughan

6,025 posts

288 months

Thursday 14th December 2006
quotequote all
60,000 miles I believe.
They also recommend you inspect the waterpump for signs of seal leakage as its cheaper to replace when the belt is off that when its inplace.

NDT

1,764 posts

268 months

Thursday 14th December 2006
quotequote all
jvaughan said:
60,000 miles I believe.
They also recommend you inspect the waterpump for signs of seal leakage as its cheaper to replace when the belt is off that when its inplace.


seems a bit strange - I took mine in for a service at 56.5k (last month), even though the service light wasn't on, because I'd been doing a few shorter journeys recently so wanted to get oil changed, plus was thinking of selling.
Given that it now won't need a service for 20k miles or so I'm surprised the dealer didn't mention doing the cambelt at the same time.

jvaughan

6,025 posts

288 months

Friday 15th December 2006
quotequote all
Checked my History, and my Belt was changed at 64000 miles, along with waterpump seals.
Im not on longlife servicing .. mine is every 10,000 miles.

Incidently, its up for sale with 90,000 miles on it after Christmas.

leeross

687 posts

221 months

Saturday 16th December 2006
quotequote all
hi i just got 130 great car just tryn get all the extras u can leather is the bizz. i paid 8300 4 a o2 plate 47 thou on the clock all extras. shop about and take your time

jvaughan

6,025 posts

288 months

Saturday 16th December 2006
quotequote all
Cannot fault my TDI130.

Had it for 3 years, and racked up 60,000 motorway miles. Will cruise all day at 80mph and deliver 50+mpg.
Mine has red/black seats, 5 door, boot spoiler and has just touched 90,000 miles. Its been serviced every 10 - 12,000 miles and had all the brakes changed within the last 20,000 miles.
No faults what so ever, had my first headlight bulb blow on the weekend.. £8.99 for a new bulb and 30 minutes to work out how to change it and the Job was done.

Now the time to change has arrived, I cannot find a car that offers the thrill, economy & performance and pleasure to drive as the Golf.

Red Head

Original Poster:

155 posts

225 months

Monday 25th December 2006
quotequote all
leeross said:
hi i just got 130 great car just tryn get all the extras u can leather is the bizz. i paid 8300 4 a o2 plate 47 thou on the clock all extras. shop about and take your time


Other than the obvious power output, are there any other major differences between the 130 and 150? Eg is the suspension the same, torque,economy etc?

JeffC

1,704 posts

217 months

Monday 25th December 2006
quotequote all
quote] Other than the obvious power output, are there any other major differences between the 130 and 150? Eg is the suspension the same, torque,economy etc? quote]


nothing major is different , 150 has less low down torque and is more laggy than the 130 , it has a bigger turbo, I always find the 130 to feel quicker ( I prefer the 130 ) ... the 150 drives more like a petrol and prefers to rev.




I buy and sell vag diesels and imho If you are looking at a golf and spending £10k , forget the mk4 and buy the mk5 , its in a different league, much better drive, so much roomier , generally just a better car all round. the 2.0tdi 140 may not feel as quick and as urgent as the 1.9 but will suprise you if you put them side by side.. Old golf is getting long in the tooth , its been around a long time now... If nothing else have a drive in one think you will be impressed..


Edited by JeffC on Monday 25th December 22:03

leeross

687 posts

221 months

Monday 25th December 2006
quotequote all

I tryd both 130 and 150 and didnt notice that much. If u get 130 u can get it remappd but im no even goni do that am that happy with the 130