Buying a Golf MK4 GTI (110kw)

[Ansell]

Howsit,

Was looking at a Golf MK4 GTI - 45k.
What sort of issues could i possibly expect at this price?
Its really a 'how long is a piece of string" question.
Just trying to get an idea of what sort of issues the GTIs commonly share at this price range.

Thanks!

[panic-mechanic]

you really have to take each car as it stands at that stage and price. I think at that stage you are well past the common problem things and have to really take a good look at this specific example.
But common issues on mk4 range
Broken window winders
Peeling rubber on inside trim
Broken mirror adusters.
Worn suspension bushes.

[Ansell]

Ja this is true.

I think without giving it a solid inspection it will be tough to know what im dealing with.

Ja interior is something that will almost most definitely need tlc at that price and i think that suspension is also a good point.

I reckon bushes, shocks, cvs, clutch - probably wont be surprised if those areas need work.

Ja and the small niggles like you mentioned with the winders and mirrors. Had that with my MK3 as well.

Engine wise, how solid are the 20vts?

Can they handle quite a lot before showing signs of wear? So would high mileage be a concern with daily reliability?

Do the 20vs have any common issues like seal leaks or gasket leaks in certain areas?

Are they relatively strong and reliable? I guess this also depends on how well they have been looked after, regular services etc...

I dont think this guy has done much in terms of bolt ons and serious power altering modifications. Seems fairly stock.

Baie Dankie!

[Pynoxim]

Broken Door Locks
Fading Clusters Displays
Broken Boot Locks
Valve Stem Seals
Cracked Turbo Manifolds and Exhaust Housings on the Turbo
Broken PCV Hoses
Destroyed Vac Hoses
Sagging Roof Linings
Worn Dogbone Mount

[dcmk4]

They can be money pits that destroy your soul and crush your spirit.

Just joking about the destruction of your soul and spirit part but they can be expensive. Take my thread for example..
Rebuilt head, new turbo, new turbo mani, new clutch, fuel pump and the list drags on and on.

[Ansell]

Howsit.

Okay so basically i should be prepared to spend at least 5-10k to get it reliable?

im guessing it would probably be a wiser option to save up an extra 10-15k for a neater one with less issues?

Then again, its not really fair to be surprised at the issues especially if im paying 45k.

DCmk3 - What did you pay for your MK4 if i may ask? Not too much considering the above mentioned issues?

Thanks okes.

[panic-mechanic]

go and look at it with a fine tooth comb.

[HendrikCTI]

What is the odo meter reading?

[Pynoxim]

Howsit.

Okay so basically i should be prepared to spend at least 5-10k to get it reliable?

im guessing it would probably be a wiser option to save up an extra 10-15k for a neater one with less issues?

Then again, its not really fair to be surprised at the issues especially if im paying 45k.

DCmk3 - What did you pay for your MK4 if i may ask? Not too much considering the above mentioned issues?

Thanks okes.

He has a 132kw and I sold it to him for R45k because I had too many cars at the time and not enough money to get them all to the point where they were perfect.

[Ansell]

Ja. I think ill just have to have a good look before making any decisions.

Like 300 000ks on the clock, which i know is quite high.

Oh okay, i understand.

Ja this one is also the 132kw version which is even more worrying i suppose.

I only realised that yesterday.

PS: I cant find the ad anymore. Think its sold.

[dcmk4]

They would both suffer from the same issues; I would rather go for a 132kw (AUQ) over a 110kw (AGU) for tuning and modifying purposes.

[Ansell]

Ja bud, i think that would be my best bet as well.

What are the main differences between the AGU and AUQ?

Thanks Meneer.

[dcmk4]

Main differences;

An ECU on an AUQ vs an abacus on an AGU
K03s on AUQ vs K03 on AGU
Engine on AUQ vs potato on AGU

[DieterMK5]

Things I have picked up:

Window mechanisms
Driver side window switch
Brocken clips on some dash pieces
Gear lever and boot damage
Door locks (sometimes the car doesn't register an open/closed door)
Cup holders can become sticky
Center arm rest clip and mounting points can break
Headlight height adjusters
Interior dimming switch
Fading cluster on the LCD
Rear seat clips to fold them down
Floor board in the boot could be wrecked
Park tail lights can give issues
Boot locks

There's a lot of small niggles that can be sorted out and a lot of them are relatively cheap fixes/mods

You get what you pay for also so just see that the main things are reliable then you can fix all the smaller issues

Engine wise I can't comment as mine is diesel

But good lunch with the purchase!


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[dcmk4]

But good lunch with the purchase!

What's a good lunch? A bacon burger or?

[DieterMK5]

But good lunch with the purchase!

What's a good lunch? A bacon burger or?

On a side note there's a mk4 gti.:R for sale at Monte Carlo cars/auto for around R85k iirc

[RollingInMaGTI@7]

Ja. I think ill just have to have a good look before making any decisions.

Like 300 000ks on the clock, which i know is quite high.

Oh okay, i understand.

Ja this one is also the 132kw version which is even more worrying i suppose.

I only realised that yesterday.

PS: I cant find the ad anymore. Think its sold.

Which is good. Hell no.

[Ansell]

Main differences;

An ECU on an AUQ vs an abacus on an AGU
K03s on AUQ vs K03 on AGU
Engine on AUQ vs potato on AGU

Haha, this is funny

Whats the difference between the two ECUs, turbos and engine (internals etc)

Thanks.

[Ansell]

Things I have picked up:

Window mechanisms
Driver side window switch
Brocken clips on some dash pieces
Gear lever and boot damage
Door locks (sometimes the car doesn't register an open/closed door)
Cup holders can become sticky
Center arm rest clip and mounting points can break
Headlight height adjusters
Interior dimming switch
Fading cluster on the LCD
Rear seat clips to fold them down
Floor board in the boot could be wrecked
Park tail lights can give issues
Boot locks

There's a lot of small niggles that can be sorted out and a lot of them are relatively cheap fixes/mods

You get what you pay for also so just see that the main things are reliable then you can fix all the smaller issues

Engine wise I can't comment as mine is diesel

But good lunch with the purchase!


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Wow...that is quite the list of issues there my man
I guess thats what i would have to be prepared for though at such a low cost price...
Ja...well at least i now know what areas to look at before hand.

Oh i see, those diesels are very nice though

Thanks my man!

[Ansell]

But good lunch with the purchase!

What's a good lunch? A bacon burger or?

On a side note there's a mk4 gti.:R for sale at Monte Carlo cars/auto for around R85k iirc

That would most likely be a very beautiful buy
Too bad i dont have that kind of dosh laying around
But anyways, awesome stuff. Ill keep my eyes peeled.
I reckon 60k would probably get me a lot further? Safer?

[DieterMK5]

But good lunch with the purchase!

What's a good lunch? A bacon burger or?

On a side note there's a mk4 gti.:R for sale at Monte Carlo cars/auto for around R85k iirc

That would most likely be a very beautiful buy
Too bad i dont have that kind of dosh laying around
But anyways, awesome stuff. Ill keep my eyes peeled.
I reckon 60k would probably get me a lot further? Safer?

It could, but every car will be unique and just because it's cheaper than the next downy mean it's worse off.


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[Ansell]

Ja this is true.

Maybe ill just keep saving for a bit longer then.

I dont want to really buy someone elses issues.

Ill just try make my mk3 mint for now.