WTB a Mk4 - Need info & advice.

[member054]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a car currently and have decided on a VW Golf, so that's the first decision made.

I'm fairly car/engine naive but willing to read up bu this seems to be my first problem - trying to find out what Australian Mk4's were released in Australia. Wiki tells me there were a dozen engine variants, but models (GL, GLE, GTI) and seeing what features they come with escape me. Does anyone have a link to a concise list of models & specs? Eg: Which models have 4/AWD?


I'd also like suggestions for what you guys think I should look for. My requirements currently are:
- Budget of 10-11K
- Hatchback
- Manual
- 4-door (might be able to talk the missus into a 2-door if my next paragraph deems it)

Now the tricky bit... I'd like to have something that has some performance potential. Is there a particular engine in the Mk4's that benefits well from simple mods like air flow, remapping? I'd consider doing something inside the engine (cam/valves?) if didn't require 10 other components to be upgraded alongside it to keep the thing running etc. Finally (hehe) I'm more of a believer of torque than power... I'd prefer consideration to mods that'd provide a linear power graph than a bursty turbo might.

From what I've read so far, many people suggest forget trying to mod a Mk4 yourself if you want to keep it simple and get a GTI from the start. Does this sound relevant to me? What are the common performance mods for a GTI?

Thanks in advance.

[Mr Scruff]

If you can afford a GTI, get a GTI. GL/E don't even come close. The GTI comes with a 1.8l Turbo engine where as the GL/GLE would have either a 2.0l or wet 1.6l engine.

You won't find a 2 door, they are all 4 doors (only 2 doors are R32's) and will be hatchbacks (unless you want a Bora).

GTI's have a 1.8 Turbo engine and are front wheel drive, the only 4WD drive variant is the R32 which has a 3.2 V6 engine (hence the 32).

Stock GTI engines come with 150BHP but are stupidly easy to tune and can produce 400+bhp with a bit of work (and money). 250bhp can be achieved easily with a modest budget. You'd then need to upgrade brakes, suspension etc and you'd have a peach of a car.

Good luck with your search

[dylan8]

above sums it up
for AWD your best/cheapest bet would be the 2.8lt 4motion bora.

[ml16]

What sort of power levels could one see with a GTi with a TBE+tune?

[member054]

Hi guys - thanks for the posts.

Sadly for me I think a GTI is out of reach for now, so I've resided to a Mk4 GLE and riding my bicycle down the neighbourhood mountain for cheap thrills.

In regards to the Mk4 engines, I've read on Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Golf_Mk4) that there is a 1.8L 20V engine in some models, which looks like it offers slightly more power than the 2.0L 8V's... can anyone share their comments on this engine or general Mk4 selection based on engines (reliability & performance) ?

[Mr Scruff]

Hi guys - thanks for the posts.

Sadly for me I think a GTI is out of reach for now, so I've resided to a Mk4 GLE and riding my bicycle down the neighbourhood mountain for cheap thrills.

In regards to the Mk4 engines, I've read on Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Golf_Mk4) that there is a 1.8L 20V engine in some models, which looks like it offers slightly more power than the 2.0L 8V's... can anyone share their comments on this engine or general Mk4 selection based on engines (reliability & performance) ?

Stop reading wikipedia! The only official MK4's in Australia are 1.6l 8v, 2.0L 8v, 1.8T or 3.2V6 engines. The 1.8 20v is the turbo engine in the GTI.

In terms of performance the 1.6 will make the car move (slowly) the 2.0 is perfect for daily driving is reliable & refined the 1.8T is reasonably fast but sluggish for what it is and the V6 will set you world alight. As with all cars if an engine is well maintained & regularly serviced it will be reliable.

Have you considered a Bora, basically a Golf with a boot, you'll get more for your money. They have an different engine selection too. They were available with the 2.0l 8v a 2.5 V5 (in-line 5 cylinder) or a 2.8 V6 engine. They are usually cheaper than Golfs & generally have more equipment. Trouble is there aren't that many around.

Another option for your 10K could be a MK3 VR6. You could find an immaculate example for 8K and have money left over for some choice mods. They are lighter & more powerful than MK4's so will be faster...

[dylan8]

i have only heard of 1 1.8l 20V in Aus... so guess it was a personal import

[ml16]

There are heaps of gti's for 10k on carsales

[member054]

Stop reading wikipedia! The only official MK4's in Australia are 1.6l 8v, 2.0L 8v, 1.8T or 3.2V6 engines. The 1.8 20v is the turbo engine in the GTI.

Hrmm. There are 14 1.8 GLE models on Carsales.com.au, between 1998-2000... perhaps they are Mk3 engines? I doubt they're all imported. I'm going to look at one tonight so perhaps I can find an engine code and report back.

There are heaps of gti's for 10k on carsales

I should've mentioned the budgets come down to about 8K... hehe. You're right though, there are quite a few around 10K+ but most are in different states from me


Thanks again all for your time & thoughts...

[member054]

Update! I rang the guy who had his listed as a 1.8, and apparently Carsales.com.au doesn't give people the option of 1.6 for the 1999 model... which is probably why there are so many 1.8's!