glen62
Part of things
Posts: 100
|
|
|
|
Hi there I'm in the process of looking for another car for my wife to replace her Toyota Celica .Ive got it down to a short list of the following cars Toyota Celica (1999 onwards) Honda CRV Toyota Rav Bmw 318/320 e36+ compact and Golf GTI mk4 While checking out information on mk4 Golfs I'm finding them to be not as reliable as i first thought .I wondered if other members of this site found this to be the case?? Thanks in advance  |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I've had a few and found them to be good cars on the whole.
Common issues I've found are rear axle bushes knocking and starter motors failing/screeching on start up.
Good interior and a sturdy feel to the car, avoid the 2.0 as it's as fast as a push bike, the 1.8 20v non turbo would be what I would get unless you want diesel.
They do hold their value well too
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I love my MK4 1.8 GTI.
It feels solid and drives nice.
It did just fail on MOT with failed front bushes but otherwise good. (2001 / 126k)
|
| |
Current retro - 1996 Alfa Romeo GTV / Daily - 2016 Nissan Qashqai
Previous retros - Prelude, Integra, XR2s, XR3s, Orions, CRXs, Sylvia S12, S13, Pulsar, ZX 16v, 205 Gti, MX5, MR2 etc
|
|
EmDee
Club Retro Rides Member
Committer of Autrocities.
Posts: 5,936
Club RR Member Number: 108
|
|
|
|
|
I've had a Seat Leon Cupra R which is basically the same and it was brilliant. Had a 1.6 too, both highly recommended.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
how many miles does she do? if its a fair few then consider a gt-tdi.
if the E36 drives and is built anything like my E34 though I'd go BMW.
|
| |
|
|
ant
Part of things
Posts: 233
|
|
|
|
|
Golf gt tdi 150bhp i had best car iv owned tbh an iv owned a few from a astra vxr to a 400bhp cossie an wish id kept me golf axle bushes common fault but easy to work on an go forever ow an cheap tax too.
|
| |
|
|
glen62
Part of things
Posts: 100
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks for all your answers
What about the 1.8 turbo? there seems to
be a fair few for sale
|
| |
|
|
Dez
Club Retro Rides Member
And I won't sit down. And I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up.
Posts: 11,790
Club RR Member Number: 34
|
|
|
|
|
define 'reliable'.
got loads of mates who use em as cheap dailys, they're generally quite good mechanically so rarely break down as such, but they have loads of niggly electrical/trim issues(mainly electric windows and central locking), and get through suspension bushes, ARB droplinks, etc. at a fair rate. diesels have the 'known' wiring look problem but its a cheap fix to replace it. can be quite hard on brakes and front tyres too as they seem to promote a certain driving style.
|
| |
|
|
ant
Part of things
Posts: 233
|
|
|
|
|
I never had a problem with my diesel golf only axle bushes an i owned it 5yrs an the turbo petrol ones are good too just keep an eye on the oil level they like to use it but thats common with um.
|
| |
|
|
glen62
Part of things
Posts: 100
|
|
|
|
thanks Dez and Rsant for the info ill bear this all in mind I get the picture cheers  |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
a 130 is the one to have if you look at the diesels, avoid the 150 and get the 130 mapped if you feel the need.
|
| |
|
|
Ian
Part of things
Posts: 977
|
|
|
|
|
They can get expensive, watch out for the six speed gearbox, when the lurch goes the dual mass needs changing, cost around £700 for that, also the slave needs doing at the Same time as it's in the box. Water pump, and cambelt at 60k around £350 all if paying specialists. This was from my two Leon cupras. Other than that and thee along rear door casrds I really liked the Leon and better spec than most golfs.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Don't knock the 2.0 , ok it's not that fast but it's a nice torquey lump and best of all it's really simple to fix , no turbo or vacuum system faults no trace, no dodgy injectors. I've run mine for 3 years now, it's never left me stranded, true I've changed a clutch but at 130k it was due as was the waterpump but it wasn't expensive, the coil pack was though . There great cars on a run , I've seen 50mpg , and 30 round town no probs.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ive had a 1.8t anniversary for about 3 years now. the anniversary is a 180bhp model. Its the only car i cant see myself parting with. They will have rear axle bushes, bottom arms, and coil packs. coil packs are sorted with the latest revised versions, about £30-40 each from tps i think. don't lower them too much without changing arb. Respond really well to a map too, standard 150bhp 1.8t's drive curse word standard imo, but lot better with a generic 180bhp map. I would also go k03s equipped over early ko3 cars. Mine uses about half litre-litre of oil every month / 6 weeks with normal commuting and occasional fast hacks.
|
| |
|
|
JohnK
North East
Posts: 470
|
|
|
|
|
I've no experience of the GTi's, but I had a 2.3 V5 Estate for a bit. Really nice motor to drive, I got rid of it nearly two years ago and it's still owned by one of my mates - save the trademark screechy starter which had to be changed, it's only needed consumables such as tyres, brake pads and routine servicing.
I sold it on 162k and it's well over 180 now, so are good for the miles.
|
| |
-------------------------------------------
1999 'V' Rover 620Ti
1999 'T' Mercedes E55 AMG
1997 'R' Ford Probe 24v
1994 'M' Nissan Maxima 3.0
1992 'J' Honda Prelude 2.0iS
1986 'C' BMW 728i Auto
1985 'C' Talbot Solara 1.6 Minx
1984 'A' Talbot Horizon LE Ultra 1.3
1978 'S' Ford Cortina 1.6 GL
|
|
THE_Liam
Yorkshire and The Humber
If at first you don't succeed... HAMMERS.
Posts: 1,363
|
|
|
|
define 'reliable'. got loads of mates who use em as cheap dailys, they're generally quite good mechanically so rarely break down as such, but they have loads of niggly electrical/trim issues(mainly electric windows and central locking), and get through suspension bushes, ARB droplinks, etc. at a fair rate. diesels have the 'known' wiring look problem but its a cheap fix to replace it. can be quite hard on brakes and front tyres too as they seem to promote a certain driving style. I had an Octavia VRS which is pretty much the same car and this was my experience of it, lots of niggles that spoilt the car and cost a surprising amount to fix. Never actually broke down and was a lovely drive when it was right, mine was the 180bhp version and with a map that my mate put on it DIY it really did go very well, particularly in gear, never dyno'ed it but I'd estimate about 200bhp, was quite good on juice too, 45mpg on a run. |
| |
|
|
Ian
Part of things
Posts: 977
|
|
|
|
|
On a fuel note, both my Leons, were the APP coded engine, which were the only Leon Cupras that only had the KO3 turbo, and mapped to 177bhp, I can say that they were never good on fuel, 300 to 350 miles per tank. so high 20's.
Cost to run wise, the best all rounder I had are the Mk3 golfs, ok so an 8 valve is far from fast, but you can get a good 40mpg out of them easy enough, they are really easy to work on, as long as you get a rust free one, which to be fair is pretty hard!
I have just had to scrap my mk4 astra 2.2 due to a snapped timing chain, but the car cost me £950 I did 35k miles in it, and it was a good car, always started never let me down until the end. if you get a 1.8 or 2.0 one of those they will go forever (ish) they are really cheap, parts are cheap, and there seem to be lots around still. Yes its boring, but as a daily driver it was very good.
I also have an e36 328i sport which I used for 6 months, again until engine issues but it on the back burner, great to drive, and mix between an old car and a newer car in a way. They feel more connected, drive very well, but there is no doubting you are in an older design ( I changed one of my Leons for it)
Another cheap and boring car my mrs has had for 6 years a 2006 astra 1.9cdti 150. We bought it under 3 years old with 85k on the clock, its now done 182k miles, it has had some big bills but not until 170k miles really (two alternators, a gearbox, and a clutch and flywheel) does 45mpg all day long even with my mrs heavy foot. has also never failed an MOT or even had any advisories. On original exhaust, suspension, etc. Only had servicing, brakes and tyres.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Another cheap and boring car my mrs has had for 6 years a 2006 astra 1.9cdti 150. We bought it under 3 years old with 85k on the clock, its now done 182k miles, it has had some big bills but not until 170k miles really (two alternators, a gearbox, and a clutch and flywheel) does 45mpg all day long even with my mrs heavy foot. has also never failed an MOT or even had any advisories. On original exhaust, suspension, etc. Only had servicing, brakes and tyres. I think you where lucky then, my mates 150 Zafira had all the items listed fail at 65k - funny thing is it was a 56 plate and it all went wrong this year. Now has a 12 year old S60 2.4d with 160k on the clock and loves it. I personaly wouldnt go near any modern vauxhal as I don't know anyone that has owned one that hasnt needed things being fixed all the time. MK4 Golf platform cars are decent on the whole, but they suffer a lot of electrical gremlins. E36 318is is a good balance of MPG vs RWD fun. |
| |
|
|
Gem
East Midlands
Posts: 1,328 
|
|
|
|
Buy my mk3.5 golf cabriolet |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
if you're looking at the turbo, I'd strongly suggest taking a look at the leon cupra. you get 180 instead of 150 in the horses department and a 6speed box. Ive had both the leon and golf in turbo petrol form and found the leon to be better "value for money", if such a thing exists within the used car market these days.
|
| |
Its not broken, its resting!
Max signature image height: 80px
|
|
|
|
