stu da rude

Im looking to get a TDI Golf in the next month or so, im kind of settled on a 130 spec one, simply because the power and trim level are good, i understand they are all 6 speed bar the 110?

Has anyone got any tips/hints things to look out for in particular with this model? Im ok with the general things, just wondered if there was anything specific to these cars to look out for.

Answers on a postcard...

bud-weis

as long as it's HPi clear...got full history and fits the bill, then i wouldn't worry too much, they are pretty bomb proof.....good cars

Micky

All you need to know including problems/faults can be found here....

http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/Default.aspx

Regards,Micky

stu da rude

Cheers for the link, now a member.. that should kill a few hours at work..

stu da rude

Bugger.. You're right! Found a mint mk4 53 plate 115 version for 6k, i dunno whether a 115 would be a bit underpowered compared to the 130?

silky16v

iTrader: (1)

rear tail gate handle, gearbox oil seals, turbo's can be pasted it on 70,000+ cars, front shock absorbers wear out with hard use, so do the ARB bushes

stu da rude

Nice one fella..

Anymore for anymore?

Stephen_B

my grandad had a v5 (not a tdi I know) but his rear spring cracked (but still roadworthy according to the vw garage ) the exhaust gaskets went and when he went to trade it in as he was fed up with it, it blew a piston!
Plus the passenger inside seatbolster fabric frayed away. It had only done 35-40k and had a full vw dealer history.

My grandad will never buy another VW again.

Shandy-Ade

I've got the 115, on a Y 2001' and it's quick, i haven't drove the 130, but the 115 is good as is, getting 47mpg, and once chipped i've been told it will puch it up to around the 135 - 140 bhp

stu da rude

^^^ Thanks for that mate, are there any other differences between the 115 and 130 other than horsepower? And is this difference just a re-map?

C4llyT

130 pd engine would be the one to have.

Bobby Singh

They really are bomb proof cars - just change the oil regularly.
If power is what u want I suggest the PD 150 as it has the bigger turbo and front mount intercooler std.

Having said that a 130 remapped is plenty fast.

JamesH

iTrader: (21)

Good thread this

stu da rude

Yeah, i figured on a 130 simply because they're a little cheaper than the 150's. Just means i might be able to get a nicer lower mileage car withn my budget.

Everyone talks about the re-maps, what sort of figures can the 130 do? Im not that fussed tbh, but if ill get more power and better economy it'd be rude not too..

Bobby: I take it you can do the remaps? what sort of money are they fella?

jay

i have one and love it am only sellin it to a aniversary tdi!!

stu da rude

lol..

Anymore for anymore then?

vroomtshh

MAF sensors are notorious. The 130 is definitely a better buy than the 115. With a 'decent' remap, you'll see around 160bhp and 300lb/ft

DaveyBoyS1

I have just swopped our lasses st170 for a mk4 04reg (2003) gt tdi130....

Its been my dads company car since new... silver, black leather, 64k cruise control, multi cd winter pack... got it for Ł6900 bargain of the century. Get it next week...

Anybody know the best place to get remapped? I was thinking MSD, I want a custom remap though not a generic chip.

Nicole

I have an 03 plate GT TDI 130, it's a cracking car and plenty quick enough for me. Stu has chipped it for me and it keeps up with most stuff once i learnt how to drive a turbo diesel lol.

Great car, really love it for what i need it for and cheap as chips to run and maintain. The complete opposite to the Lancer. But i use it for work (some weeks i cover alot of miles), stables, shopping, ferrying everyone around!!! Thats the only downside is everyone always says "we will go in your car cos it's cheaper" LOL

Good car

stu da rude

Hmm.. i never thought of Stu for the remap..

Also, am i being a bit snobbish with turning down high(ish) mile cars?

Ideally id like a 2001/2 ish car, and im seeing an average of 80k on these, so to me, thats like 18k per year, which is well above average..

Is it a problem? Should i hang for a lowish miles one? Ive seen a couple of 60kish ones put they're knocking on the door of Ł8000 which is a little more than i wanted to pay to be honest. BUT.. is it money well spent?

vroomtshh

I have a Seat Ibiza with a PD160. Ok so its not a golf but similar engine. Its 3 year old on Saturday and its got 85k on the clock. And other than one MAF sensor, never had a bit of bother. I wldnt worry about the mileage too much. Pay more attention to condition and servicing. Plus, i 'think' they get a major service at 72k so if you're buying around that mileage, better to get one thats been done already

stu da rude

Yeah, ive noticed that 70k + miles cars say they've had the belt done, is it a short interval for them then?

Just been talking to a kid in our yard who's got a 130 spec passat on 85k, hes saying it still drives as good now as when he had it new apparently..

vroomtshh

They actually get better with age. Not sure what u mean by short interval. I thought 72k for a timing belt was ages lol

Stu @ M Developments

iTrader: (12)

Dont worry too much about mileage, ive remapped cars with 500miles on, and 200,000 miles on. Mileage is NO indication of condition.

Drive a very low miler to get a feel of an unworn one to base your test drives on, then you will just feel if its all still "Tight."

Remapped, a 115 will give around 145.
Remapped, a 130 will give around 175.
Remapped, a 150 will give around 190.
All will be BETTER on fuel once remapped, guaranteed, if done by a decent company.

stu da rude

Thanks for that Stu, it was the 80k miles in 5 years that was kind of putting me off, but the more people i speak to the more i'm accused of mileage snobbery..

Im just used to 80's-90's Ford/Pug build quality... and hence reservations with high mileage...

vroomtshh

U tend to find that people buy diesels because they do a lot of mileage and its cheaper to run. So it can appear that they are all above average mileage

stu da rude

Yeah i suppose, i daresay history and condition are paramount with these then, rather than mileage.

Theres an 80k one at my local VW dealer, might go along see if i can blag a test drive. I had a go in a 50k one sometime back, which back then was a Ł10k car!

Mark_

stu you have a pm mate

stu da rude

Back at ya fella..

Mark_

hope you see somthing you like fella

Lee Ivatt

iTrader: (1)

Hi good car. i have the 150 Gt tdi mk4. (in jazz blue, ) very quick and easy to drive, the misses uses it as the daily driver.

Easy 50-52mpg average

even when driving like a tit you still get 45mpg.

Good points-

hold their value well
loads of torque, will beat the 1.8 turbo no probs
good mpg
almost bullet proof
great driving position, as good as a saff cossie.
12 year corrosion warranty, so any rust VW will fix for free

Bad/thinks to watch points

Dodgy electrics. how many mk4;s do you see with a rear side or brake light out!!!!! sounds stupid but use VW bulbs and they seem to last.

front electric windows, plastic clip snaps. VW did redesign it in cast alloy. mine broke. took me an hour to fix and was about Ł30 for new alloy part, so not to bad.

regular service. fuel filter is as important as oil!! Make sure cam belt is good, new engine will cost more than car!

not the best looking car, but lowered with 18"s (like mine) they look fat. you will want coilovers, not springs cos its a nose heavy car, and dont like corners on standard set up!

1st gear is very short, i dont hardly use it, if puting the rubber down.

over all great car!!!

OldSkoolRS

I had a tdi anniversary which I had remapped, best car I've ever had.

Shouldn't have sold it- Was outrageously rapid and could sit up the arse of an r32 in gear and still did 40 to the gallon.

stu da rude

Thanks for the replies, some really good info there fellas!

vroomtshh

One thing I would like to say to you, dont believe all these 'rapid, super fast comments'
My Ibiza is approx 240bhp and 400lb/ft and its pretty quick for a diesel and can keep up with most hot hatches til the 100 mark. But anyone saying a diesel golf (or anything for that matter) needs to get out and drive some more cars.

They are ideal everyday cars with reasonable in gear performance and good fuel consumption. But a petrol car with similar power will always ultimately be quicker.

As for keeping up with an R32, unless its a Skyline, is not very impressive. They are dog slow for what they are

stu da rude

Yeah, i appreciate that mate, ive got a reasonably quick road legal track car aswell so im not buying it for that aspect, its just nice to know that performance and economy are available, and what peoples opinions of them are i suppose.

Ive since found out they're cheap tax too! Happy days! :thumbs: