Mk4 Golf

306 HDi? Has OcUK gone mad?

The 110 is pretty decent, the 130 is good and the 150 is brilliant. Yes, the MK4 golf is a bit bland but otherwise they're pretty solid. You could look at the sister cars, such as the Leon but they're fundamentally the same thing.

You'll only get 50mpg if you drive sensibly, but they are capable of it. Even if you hammer it you'll still be low 40s.

A friend had a 2002 MK4 GT 130 TDi from nearly new at 35k miles and sold it at 110k miles and apart from the usual wear and tear (discs/pads, servicing etc) the only problem he had was a snapped coil spring just before he sold it.

Alternatives such as the Mondeo (mine does low/mid 40s combined, 50 on a run if you're sensible) and Focus may be worth considering although the TDCi engines have some known issues.
 
Just use a lighter foot on your commute - I got 40mpg average out of my 106 for Monday-Friday commuting, just by resisting the urge to blat about everywhere and overtake given the any opportunity.

That way, when I went for a sunny B-road weekend hoon, and actually drove it hard, it felt like a treat, and like driving a different car.

Spending money to save money is a daft idea in my book!
 
03-04 plate Xsara VTR HDI, remap. bingo 140bhp min and A/C that doesn't break, save yourself a couple of grand too :D ideal for commuting.
 
timbob said:
Just use a lighter foot on your commute - I got 40mpg average out of my 106 for Monday-Friday commuting, just by resisting the urge to blat about everywhere and overtake given the any opportunity.

That way, when I went for a sunny B-road weekend hoon, and actually drove it hard, it felt like a treat, and like driving a different car.

Spending money to save money is a daft idea in my book!
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I want a new car anyway. Something that is comfortable and has a bit of headroom.

I'm getting an average of 40mpg out of the VTS.
 
fonzee said:
then you must have had a duff one :)



never drop 45 when i drive like a pillock, usually hit 50-52 normally.

a Cupra 150 would be good, probably far off your budget though.
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It was an older one in fairness, but it did suffer from the stereotypical french problems - electrics, suspension etc.
 
i'd take the leon over the golf. (obviously)

although i do think that the quality of materials is higher in the leon than the golf, as it's nicked everything from the A3..
my mate's got a golf iv and the dash really is worse
 
In contrast - I thought the interior of my friend's old Golf MK4 was better than in my Toledo (same as a Leon), but only by a bit...

Guess it's subjective and down to the individual cars, but they are both very well screwed together cars
 
digitalwolf said:
No good when it's hot:p

Is the TDi 150 worth trying to push for? Is it a PD150 or a different engine?

Any issues buying one on 100k? Are turbo's pretty solid on the PD's?

Cheers.
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It's a tweaked PD - 150 has a front mounted intercooler, bigger injectors and a different turbo over the 130. Basic engine block is the same. 150 makes more peak power at high revs however the torque is basically the same (228 vs 235 ft/lb IIRC).

The 130 would be my choice - less turbo lag which makes it more drivable and it's more refined. It's also less stressed than the 150 and seems a bit more reliable at high mileage. A good example puts out 140+ bhp anyway from what I've seen on UK MKIVs.

Mk IV interior is very well screwed together and a nice place to be. It's a hell of a lot better than the early MkVs. The Leon has an Audi dash but the other bits like the door cards are not to the same standard. I like the Mk1 Leon, however it didn't get PD engines until a couple of years after the Golf.

You thought about a Bora instead? Same basic car with a boot, they handle better and are more refined on the motorway. Also significantly cheaper secondhand.
 
MagicBoy said:
It's a tweaked PD - 150 has a front mounted intercooler, bigger injectors and a different turbo over the 130. Basic engine block is the same. 150 makes more peak power at high revs however the torque is basically the same (228 vs 235 ft/lb IIRC).

The 130 would be my choice - less turbo lag which makes it more drivable and it's more refined. It's also less stressed than the 150 and seems a bit more reliable at high mileage. A good example puts out 140+ bhp anyway from what I've seen on UK MKIVs.

Mk IV interior is very well screwed together and a nice place to be. It's a hell of a lot better than the early MkVs. The Leon has an Audi dash but the other bits like the door cards are not to the same standard. I like the Mk1 Leon, however it didn't get PD engines until a couple of years after the Golf.

You thought about a Bora instead? Same basic car with a boot, they handle better and are more refined on the motorway. Also significantly cheaper secondhand.
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Thanks for the info, makes sense now.

Reading on the MKiv board, apparently the PD 150 suffers from cam failures?

Have you remapped your vRS?

I agree with the build quality point, we used to have a MK4 and it was certainly screwed together!
 
Eeek, wasn't aware of that... Possibly a symptom of the wrong oil used.

vRS not remapped yet, warranty is up now so I'll get around to it soon.

Skoda is even better screwed together than my Bora was with not a rattle or squeak to be heard and has been utterly reliable. Only thing that went wrong has been the high level brake light.
 
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